Plantation, FL Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Section 5-23(a)(5), part of Division 4's community appearance and property maintenance standards, states plainly that 'rodent or insect infestation is prohibited' on every building, structure and property in the City, with infestation determined by the Broward County Health Department applying county sanitary-nuisance codes rather than a city inspector's own opinion. The rule sits alongside thirteen other maintenance standards in the same section, including weather-tight foundations and walls (paragraph 6) and rodent-proof, tight-fitting windows, doors and soffit screens (paragraph 11), all enacted to prevent blight, protect property values, and reduce the vandalism and crime that accompany a visibly neglected building.

Section 5-22 states the underlying purpose: the City is balancing an owner's right to enjoy the property against the City's interest in preventing blight and crime, and the appearance rules were carefully weighed to strike that balance. Under Section 5-23(b), a temporary infestation problem is excused for up to six months, or a shorter period the Building Official sets, if the owner is actively working under an active building permit to cure it, and the City Council can extend that window another six months for good cause.

Code enforcement personnel who find a violation may refer it to the Special Magistrate, have the Police Department issue a notice to appear in County Court, or seek injunctive relief in circuit court, per Section 5-23(c).