My role is to be a liaison between South Beach residents and the Code Enforcement Division of the City of Fort Pierce. I am also a volunteer with the City of Fort Pierce. The goal of code enforcement is to maintain compliance with City Codes adopted by the City Commission that establish minimum standards for health, safety, and general welfare as well as to regulate conditions to prevent the creation of substandard living conditions within the City.
Code Enforcement Officers work hard to support our community here in South Beach. 326 Violations were issued here in during the past year – and this does not count the many warnings issued. The top 6 categories were: #1, Doing business without a tax (mostly short term/vacation rentals); #2, a tie between landscape & lot clearing and outside storage and accessory structures; #3, external property and structures; #4, expired permit or permit required; #5, parking (on other than pavement and in the right of way); #6, lighting. Other Violations included interior issues, nuisance, non-operable vehicles, safety (covered windows), and living in a mobile home. If you have questions about City Codes, all codes are on the City website, or you can call the department. Welcome brochures are available that explain some of the most-common code requirements in our community. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you all of a few of these:
- Rental of any property for less than 6 months requires a Business Tax Receipt issued by the City. A BTR requires an approved Conditional Use Permit plus sales and tourism tax receipts in all residential districts. A state DBPR license is also required for all rentals less than 30 days. No Conditional Use Permit has been approved in single family neighborhoods (R1 & R2). Several have been approved in multiple family zone R4A, Condos, and HOAs, mostly for 30 days or more.
- Vehicles cannot park on streets, sidewalks, right of ways, or on front lawns within the City.
- Walton Rocks is the only pet-friendly beach and park in St. Lucie County, and, pets must be on a leash and cleaned up after within the entire City.
- Fireworks are illegal in the City – this includes beaches and parks.
- Golf carts must be licensed to legally drive them in the City. This is a State requirement
If you have issues concerning Code Enforcement, feel free to talk to me or a Code Officer, or use the City’s app, SeeClickFix. This app is simple to use – you can report any issue through this app, upload pictures, report anonymously if you wish, and it will get directed to the proper authorities. We need all of you to be eyes and ears to maintain this beautiful community – the City cannot do this alone. Thank you!