119 local rules on file · Pop. 1,948 · Broward County
Showing ordinances that apply to Washington Park, FL
Washington Park is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 1,948 in Broward County, Florida. Because Washington Park is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Broward County ordinances apply directly to residential and commercial properties here. The rules below are the county-level regulations that govern your area. Nearby incorporated cities in Broward County may have different rules.
Broward permits wood, aluminum, vinyl, masonry, and chain link but bans barbed wire and electric fencing in residential zones and requires hurricane-rated hardware throughout.
Florida Statute 515.27 and the Broward-adopted Florida Building Code require pools to have two independent safety barriers, with strict rules on height, gaps, and self-latching gates.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Broward County ordinances.
Broward sits inside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, so fences must be engineered to 170 mph ultimate wind speeds with deep concrete post embedment and approved materials.
Broward cities set STR maximum occupancy typically at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional, consistent with SB 280 (2024) framework. FL 509.032 prohibits local STR-specific occupancy caps more restrictive than state law.
Broward County and its cities commonly require STR operators to provide off-street parking for guests and prohibit on-street parking overflow. Rules must apply equally to all residential properties per FL 509.032.
Florida requires DBPR-licensed vacation rentals to maintain liability insurance, and Broward cities commonly require proof of $1 million in liability coverage as a condition of STR registration.
Broward County imposes a 6% Tourist Development Tax on rentals under 6 months, in addition to Florida's 6% state sales tax and 0.5% to 1.5% discretionary county surtax, for a combined total around 12.5% to 13%.
Florida Statute 509.032 preempts local governments from regulating the duration or frequency of short-term rentals, so Broward County cannot impose minimum or maximum night caps specifically on STRs.
Broward County applies its general noise ordinance to short-term rentals. Cities within Broward may adopt stricter STR-specific noise rules under FL 509.032, which allows regulation but not outright bans.
Unincorporated Broward County requires a Residential Rental Certificate under Ordinance 2013-28 (Ch. 39, Art. IX½) for all rental properties in the BMSD. Annual fee is $75. State DBPR transient public lodging license also required for rentals under 30 days.
Outdoor music in Broward falls under Chapter 27, Sections 27-235 and 27-237. Music must stay at or below 55 dBA (L50) at a receiving residential property line. Special event permits are issued by Broward County Parks.
Industrial-zoned receiving properties in Broward have 70 dBA (L50) / 80 dBA (Lmax) caps under Chapter 27, Section 27-235. When industry abuts residential, the stricter 55 dBA residential limit applies.
FAA preempts local aircraft noise rules at Broward's FLL and FXE airports. FLL's Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program (approved March 30, 2023) adds voluntary sound insulation within the DNL 65+ contour.
Broward County Chapter 27 does not restrict leaf blower hours specifically. Blowers must stay at or below 55 dBA (L50) at a receiving residential property line at all times.
Broward County Section 27-235 sets dBA limits at the receiving property line with no day-night split. Residential: 55/65 dBA. Commercial: 65/75 dBA. Industrial: 70/80 dBA. A 5 dBA above-background exemption applies.
Amplified music in unincorporated Broward is capped at 55 dBA (L50) and 65 dBA (Lmax) at a receiving residential property line 24 hours a day under Chapter 27, Sections 27-235 and 27-237.
Broward County Code Ch. 27, Art. VII §27-235 sets a single residential sound limit of 55 dBA (L50) / 65 dBA (Lmax) at the receiving property line — applied at all times, with no separate daytime/nighttime split.
Construction noise is exempt from Broward County's decibel limits only between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM per §27-236 Table 2. Outside those hours, construction must comply with the standard residential 55 dBA (L50) limit.
Broward County Ch. 4, §4-8 makes it unlawful for any person to allow a dog to habitually bark, howl, or whine. Complaints are handled by Broward County Animal Care and Adoption (954-359-1313).
Broward County Code caps residential grass and weeds at 18 inches; anything taller is a nuisance subject to code enforcement and per-day fines.
Florida SB 544 (2023) bars HOAs from banning Florida-friendly landscaping and synthetic turf, and Broward County permits turf on residential lots subject to drainage review.
Broward County encourages residential rain barrels and cisterns, offering rebates and requiring only standard plumbing permits for potable-system connections.
Broward County Code Chapter 39 requires new developments to use at least 50 percent native or Florida-friendly plants in required landscape areas.
Broward County bans Florida Category I invasive plants from new landscaping and requires owners to remove nuisance weeds over 18 inches under the Nuisance Abatement Code.
The South Florida Water Management District year-round rule limits Broward landscape irrigation to two days per week, with specific hours and odd/even address splits.
Broward County requires licensed arborists or Certified Tree Workers to perform structural pruning on protected trees, and prohibits hurricane-cutting practices such as hat-racking.
Florida Statute 163.045 (HB 1159) lets a Broward homeowner remove a tree with a certified arborist risk letter, overriding local permit rules for documented hazards.
Broward County requires property owners to keep vacant lots and yard edges free of dense fire-prone vegetation, with enforcement by Code Enforcement and the Forest Service.
FL 553.883 requires 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms when replacing battery-only units. Broward homes must have working alarms in every sleeping room and on every level under FBC and NFPA 72.
Broward County sits on the eastern edge of the Everglades, where the Florida Forest Service flags wildland-urban interface communities adjacent to Conservation Areas 2 and 3.
Backyard fire pits are allowed in Broward under FAC 5I-2 if kept under 3 feet in diameter, set back 25 feet from any structure, attended, and fueled with clean wood. Broward Chapter 12 provides local enforcement.
Outdoor burning in Broward is governed by FAC 5I-2 (Florida Forest Service) and county Chapter 12. Land-clearing burns need FFS authorization. Yard-waste burning is effectively prohibited due to 150-ft setbacks.
Consumer fireworks are legal in Broward County on July 4, Dec 31, and Jan 1 under FL §791.08 state preemption. Outside those dates, only sparklers and novelties are legal without a permit. The county cannot override this state law.
Residential fire pits are allowed in unincorporated Broward County for recreational use with clean untreated wood per Ch. 27, Art. IX. Must not create excessive smoke. Standard open-burning setbacks of 300 ft from occupied buildings apply, though contained fire pits with manufacturer-rated equipment may be treated differently by local fire officials.
Broward County allows home occupations in residential zones with conditions preserving neighborhood character. Florida HB 1451 (2021) preempts local bans on home-based businesses, limiting what cities and counties can restrict.
Florida cottage food law (FL 500.80) allows home kitchen food sales up to $250,000 gross per year without a permit. Broward County cannot impose additional licensing, following 2021 state amendments preempting local cottage food regulation.
Broward County prohibits commercial signage on home-based businesses under its land development code. State law HB 1451 protects businesses from overly restrictive regulation, but reasonable signage limits in residential zones are permitted.
Broward County home-based businesses cannot generate vehicle traffic substantially greater than a typical residence. Florida HB 1451 sets this as the statewide standard and allows local enforcement of neutral parking rules.
Family day care homes in Broward County must register or be licensed under Florida Statute 402.313. The Broward County Child Care Licensing and Enforcement agency handles local oversight, inspections, and background screening.
Broward County requires a Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly occupational license) for home occupations, but cannot require a separate home occupation permit thanks to FL 559.955 state preemption.
Broward requires a building permit for every garage conversion and mandates replacement off-street parking plus HVHZ-rated windows, doors, and insulation.
Florida adopted IRC Appendix Q in the Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Ed. (2023): a tiny house is 400 sq ft or less. In the BMSD, a tiny house must still satisfy Chapter 39 zoning, sit on a permitted foundation, and meet HVHZ wind loads.
Carports in unincorporated Broward County (the BMSD) need a Broward County building permit and must satisfy Chapter 39 (Zoning) setbacks. Because Broward sits in the Florida Building Code's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, carports must meet HVHZ wind loads.
Sheds and accessory buildings in unincorporated Broward County must comply with Ch. 39 zoning setbacks and the Florida Building Code with HVHZ enhancements. An accessory building must be subordinate to the principal use per §39-4. Building permits are required.
Broward County permits accessory dwelling units in several zoning districts, typically capped at 800 square feet or 40 percent of the primary home, with owner-occupancy and one off-street parking space.
Hot tubs and spas in Broward County require electrical permits and must comply with barrier requirements of FL 515.27 unless equipped with a locked, rigid safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 standards.
Residential pool construction in Broward County requires a building permit, barrier inspection, and compliance with the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (FL 515.27) which mandates at least one approved safety feature.
Broward County requires residential swimming pools in unincorporated areas to be enclosed by a fence at least 5 feet high or an open-mesh screen enclosure, exceeding the Florida state minimum of 4 feet. All screen doors and fence gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with gates opening outward away from the pool. Statewide, Florida Statute 515.27 also permits compliance through approved safety pool covers, exit alarms (85 dB at 10 ft), self-closing/self-latching home doors, or ASTM F2208 pool alarms.
Florida's Pool Safety Act (Fla. Stat. Ch. 515) requires every new residential pool, spa, or hot tub to have at least one of four safety features. FBC R4501.17 sets the technical specs. Broward Chapter 39 requires a 5-foot fence in residential districts.
Overnight parking in Broward County is regulated primarily at the municipal level, with most cities restricting commercial vehicles, RVs, and boats from extended on-street parking in residential zones.
Broward County encourages EV charging installation through expedited permitting and has adopted EV-ready building standards for new construction, with Florida state law protecting HOA member rights to install chargers.
Broward County regulates driveway widths, surface materials, and sight distance through the county land development code, with municipalities enforcing most residential driveway standards within city limits.
RVs in unincorporated Broward County residential areas may not be used for living purposes and cannot maintain water or sewer connections per §39-245. Storage must comply with zoning district requirements. RVs must be parked on paved surfaces and not create a nuisance.
Only one commercial vehicle (5,000 lbs or less) is allowed on residential property in unincorporated Broward County, and it must be stored in a garage, carport, or side/rear yard hidden from view per §39-275(7)(a)1. Fine is $150 first offense, $350 repeat.
Street parking in unincorporated Broward County is governed by Ch. 23 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) and enforced by Broward Sheriff's Office. FL §316.1945 provides the statewide 72-hour limit for parked vehicles. Off-street parking requirements are in Ch. 39, Art. XII.
Broward County enforces Florida Statute 705 for abandoned vehicles, allowing removal of vehicles left on public property over 24-72 hours or stored on private property without current registration.
Feeding alligators, bears, raccoons, foxes, sandhill cranes, or pelicans is prohibited in Broward under FAC 68A-4.001 as a second-degree misdemeanor. Sea turtle lighting rules apply on coastal beaches.
Broward County Chapter 39 limits chickens, roosters, goats, and livestock to Agricultural (A-1, A-5) and Rural Estate (RE) zoning. Typical suburban residential zones in Broward do not allow poultry or livestock.
Livestock (horses, cattle, goats, pigs, sheep) in Broward is limited to Agricultural (A-1, A-5) and Rural Estate (RE) zoning districts under Chapter 39. Lot size and setback requirements apply.
Beekeeping is protected by FL 586.10, which preempts local bans. Broward County cannot prohibit beekeeping. Hives must be registered annually with FDACS and follow best management practices.
Broward County Section 4-11 requires dogs to be on a leash of 8 feet or less when off the owner's property. Off-leash activity is allowed only in designated dog parks. Broward Animal Care enforces at (954) 359-1313.
FL 767.14 (SB 942, effective October 1, 2023) preempts local breed-specific legislation. Broward County cannot ban any dog breed. Dangerous dog classification under FL 767 is based on individual behavior.
Florida Statute 163.04 prevents Broward County HOAs from prohibiting solar collectors or unreasonably restricting placement that would reduce efficiency by more than 20 percent or increase cost by more than 20 percent.
Solar PV installations in Broward County require electrical and building permits with HVHZ wind load engineering. The Broward GoSOLAR expedited permitting program streamlines review for qualifying residential systems.
Broward County erosion and sediment control requires silt fencing, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances on sites disturbing 1 acre or more under the NPDES Construction General Permit.
Grading plans in Broward County must maintain positive drainage to swales and approved outfalls without impacting neighbors. Fill in flood zones requires compensating storage and FEMA elevation certificates.
Broward County stormwater is regulated under the NPDES MS4 permit and South Florida Water Management District criteria. Low elevation and tidal flooding make retention, swales, and pump stations critical infrastructure.
Broward County's FEMA flood maps were updated effective July 31, 2024. Most of the county is in Zone AE (1% annual chance flooding). New construction and substantial improvements must meet base flood elevation requirements. NFIP participation enables federal flood insurance.
Broward County limits single-family residential height to 35 ft in most zones, with taller limits in multifamily and commercial districts. Coastal high-hazard areas impose stricter limits.
Broward County unincorporated areas follow Land Development Code setbacks: 25 ft front, 7.5 ft side, 20 ft rear in typical single-family zones. Municipalities within the county enforce their own setback standards.
Broward County single-family zones generally cap lot coverage at 35-40 percent for principal and accessory structures combined. Impervious surface ratios are separately regulated for stormwater compliance.
Pre-1978 housing in Broward County is subject to federal EPA Renovation Repair and Painting Rule and HUD disclosure requirements. Contractors must be EPA RRP certified for lead-safe work practices.
Elevators in Broward County are inspected annually by the Florida Bureau of Elevator Safety, with certificates displayed in the cab. Post-Surfside reforms added shaft inspection focus.
Scaffolding in Broward County follows OSHA and Florida Building Code requirements. Sidewalk sheds, pedestrian protection, and permits are required for work adjacent to public right-of-way or over six feet in height.
Pest control in Broward County is regulated by FDACS. Licensed operators handle termites, rodents, and mosquitoes, with tent fumigations coordinated with the fire department.
Broward County HOAs set assessments through a budget adopted by the board with 14-day member notice. Condos face mandatory reserve funding under post-Surfside law.
Broward County HOAs routinely require architectural review committee approval before exterior changes including paint, roofing, fences, pools, and hurricane shutters.
Broward County HOAs follow Florida Chapter 720 for homeowner associations and Chapter 718 for condominiums. Boards must give 48-hour meeting notice and allow member attendance.
Broward County HOAs may levy fines up to 100 dollars per day capped at 1,000 dollars per violation, suspend use rights, and record liens. Fines over 1,000 dollars may be liened after fining committee approval.
Broward County HOA disputes must generally use pre-suit mediation under FL 720.311 before court filing. Condo election and recall disputes go to DBPR arbitration.
Roofing in Broward County HVHZ requires Miami-Dade NOA products, enhanced deck attachment, secondary water barrier, and hurricane strap tie-downs. 25 percent roof replacement triggers full code compliance.
Broward County enforces FEMA flood zone requirements with 1 ft freeboard above base flood elevation for residential and higher freeboard for critical facilities. Elevation certificates required from licensed surveyors.
Broward County is in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) requiring Miami-Dade NOA shutters or impact-rated glazing on all openings in new construction. HOAs cannot unreasonably restrict them.
Sidewalk repair responsibility in Broward County generally falls to the adjacent property owner under municipal code, though the county or city typically handles sidewalks in public rights-of-way on arterial roads.
Broward County and its municipalities prohibit obstructing public sidewalks with vegetation, merchandise, signs, or vehicles, requiring a minimum 4-foot clear pedestrian path and ADA-compliant passage.
Broward County follows Florida landlord-tenant law under Chapter 83, which does not require just cause for non-renewal of leases but requires specific notice periods and court process for evictions during lease terms.
Broward County does not have rent control - Florida Statute 125.0103 preempts local rent regulation except in declared housing emergencies, which Broward has not invoked despite affordability challenges.
Several Broward County municipalities require rental property registration and periodic inspection programs, though the county itself does not maintain a unified rental registry.
Broward County municipalities require trash and recycling bins to be stored out of public view between collections and placed curbside only during designated pickup windows.
Broward County residents receive weekly or twice-weekly curbside trash and recycling service through municipal contracts, with most cities using Waste Management, Republic Services, or FCC Environmental.
Broward County residents receive scheduled bulk trash pickup for large items through their municipal hauler, with most cities offering 1-2 free bulk collections per month with volume limits.
Broward County enforces a mandatory recycling ordinance requiring residents and businesses to separate recyclables from trash, with commercial establishments required to provide recycling containers.
Broward County requires owners of vacant and undeveloped lots to maintain properties free of overgrowth, debris, and nuisance conditions, with code enforcement fines and liens for non-compliant parcels.
Broward County has no snow removal requirements given its subtropical Florida climate, but property owners must keep sidewalks clear of vegetation, debris, and hurricane storm debris.
Broward County and cities enforce property maintenance codes against blight including overgrown vegetation, junk accumulation, and structural disrepair, with liens placed for unpaid fines.
Broward County property maintenance standards require residential trash and recycling containers to be stored out of sight from public streets between collection days, with violations subject to code enforcement fines.
Generators in unincorporated Broward must stay at or below 55 dBA (L50) at a receiving residential property line under Section 27-235. Declared-emergency operation is exempt under Section 27-236.
HVAC condensers, mini-splits, and pool pumps in unincorporated Broward must stay at or below 55 dBA (L50) at the neighbor's property line at all times under Chapter 27, Section 27-235.
Bars and nightclubs in Broward must keep sound at or below 55 dBA (L50) at an adjacent residential property line at all times. Commercial-to-commercial limit is 65/75 dBA under Section 27-235.
Florida maintains one of the strictest invasive plant regulatory programs in the US. The Florida Noxious Weed List and FLEPPC Category I/II lists restrict many species. Broward County follows state rules and prohibits planting species like Brazilian pepper, melaleuca, and Australian pine.
Broward County does not have specific bamboo restriction ordinances. Florida law does not ban bamboo statewide. However, certain clumping bamboo species are sold at local nurseries, and running bamboo that encroaches on neighbors may be addressed as a nuisance.
Florida law (SB 82, effective 2019) prohibits local governments from banning vegetable gardens on residential property. Broward County residents can grow edible plants in their front yards. HOAs may regulate aesthetics but cannot ban food gardens.
Florida is a two-party (all-party) consent state for audio recording. All parties to a private oral communication must consent. Video recording in public is legal. Violations are a third-degree felony under Florida Statute §934.03.
Residential security cameras are legal in Broward County without a permit. Florida allows recording video in areas without a reasonable expectation of privacy. Florida is a two-party consent state for audio recording of private conversations.
Privacy fences in Broward County are generally allowed up to 6 feet in rear and side yards and 4 feet in front yards. Permits are required for fences in most unincorporated areas. Chain link fences must meet height restrictions.
Common violations in Broward County include unpermitted construction, overgrown vegetation, property maintenance failures, junk vehicles, improper waste disposal, and expired building permits. Most permits expire if work doesn't begin within 180 days.
Broward County Code Compliance handles violations in unincorporated areas at 954-357-9794. Complaints can be filed online through the county's Code Compliance portal or in person at 2300 N. Jog Road, West Palm Beach. Within municipalities, each city has its own code enforcement.
Broward County Code Compliance responds to complaints based on severity. Health and safety hazards are prioritized for inspection within 24-48 hours. Routine violations are typically investigated within 5-10 business days with a 30-day compliance window.
Broward County generally requires building permits for sheds. Small accessory structures may be exempt if under a certain size threshold (typically 100 square feet), but Florida Building Code requirements apply. Sheds must meet wind-load requirements for hurricane zones.
Most fence installations in unincorporated Broward County require a building permit. Fences must comply with height limits (6 feet rear/side, 4 feet front) and may need to meet wind-load requirements in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Decks and elevated patios in Broward County require building permits and must meet Florida Building Code wind-load requirements for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. Ground-level patios at grade may not require a permit depending on size.
Most renovation work in Broward County requires a building permit due to Florida Building Code requirements and HVHZ standards. Structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and roofing work all require permits. Permits expire if work doesn't begin within 180 days.