Ordinance 28-07, changing Town Code Chapter 8 to provide for use of a municipal citation system, was adopted on November 6, 2007. Enforcement began on February 2, 2008.
The Jupiter Town Council approved Ordinance 28-07 on November 6, 2007, to update and revise Chapter 8 of the Town Code, titled "Code Enforcement and Citation System". The changes allow for the implementation of a Municipal Citation System that both code enforcement officers and police officers can now use to enforce municipal codes within the Town. Providing a system for issuing citations for code violations as part of its enforcement procedures will allow a quicker means for addressing many of the issues that affect the quality of life in our neighborhoods. The revision also provides a clearer outline of the duties of the Special Magistrate.
In general, the procedures defined by this ordinance are for the violations of codes and ordinances related to building, landscaping, signs, zoning, noise, minimum housing, and other similar codes which regulate aesthetics, construction, safety, use of property, parking, and development orders.
Below are the parts of the Town's code enforcement system that are covered in this new ordinance, along with a very general statement explaining what the ordinance stipulates:
- CITATION SYSTEM: Council has established by resolution a list of those codes and ordinances that lend themselves to enforcement using citations, as well as a schedule of fines for violating the particular sections of the code.
- CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS: The ordinance gives authority to code officers to issue notices of a violation, hearing notices, and citations for violations of Town codes and ordinances, development orders, the Florida Building Code, and state statutes which authorize municipal enforcement.
- CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD: The Town's code enforcement procedures allow for a Code Enforcement Board organized in accordance with state statutes.
- SPECIAL MAGISTRATES: Appointed by Council from a list of attorneys provided by the Town Attorney, the duties of a special magistrate include adopting rules and procedures for conducting hearings; subpoena powers; holding hearings; assessing fines and costs; issuing orders to bring a violation into compliance; granting, denying or modifying extensions of time for compliance; deciding on requests for abatement or reduction of fines; and authorizing liens against property owned by violators, as well as the release of liens.
For an informational card, in English and Spanish, that introduces the citation system CLICK HERE.
The citation fine schedule is as follows:
| CODE ENFORCEMENT COSTS | AMOUNT |
| Standard Minimum Hearing Fee | $125.00 (Represents hearing costs only; other costs added on case-by-case basis) |
| Appeal Hearing Fee | $50.00 |
| CODE ENFORCEMENT FINES (Per day unless otherwise stated) | AMOUNT | COMPLIANCE PERIOD |
| Possession/consumption of alcoholic beverages in parking lots prohibited | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Possession/consumption of alcoholic beverages in public places prohibited | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Animal waste | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Animals creating nuisance | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Animals running at large | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Leash law | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Peddler/solicitation permit & license | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Sale by public outcry unlawful | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Premises posted No Soliciting | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Solicitation hours limitation (Allowed between 9am-6pm Mon-Sat only) | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Solicitation of employment | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Residential storage of inoperative vehicles | $50 | 5 DAYS |
| Graffiti | $150 | 10 DAYS |
| Swimming pool water clarity | $250 | IMMEDIATE |
| Illegally discarded refrigerators | $250 | IMMEDIATE |
| Noise disturbances prohibited | $100 | IMMEDIATE |
| Operation of indoor sound amplification | $100 | IMMEDIATE |
| Operation of outdoor sound amplification | $100 | IMMEDIATE |
| Construction hours limited (Allowed Mon-Fri 7am-8pm & Sat 8am-4pm) | $200 | IMMEDIATE |
| Lawn equipment use hours limited (Prohibited between 10pm and 7am) | $100 | IMMEDIATE |
| Power tools use hours limited (Prohibited between 10pm and 7am) | $100 | IMMEDIATE |
| Littering in parks/oceanfront | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Glass containers in parks/oceanfront | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Location & set-out of waste containers | $25 | IMMEDIATE |
| 24-hour parking limit on roadways in residential areas | $50 | 1 DAY |
| Parking in posted commercial areas | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Water shortage emergency | $50 | IMMEDIATE |
| Parking of commercial vehicles & trucks prohibited in residential areas | $50 | 1 HOUR |
For additional information about the Town's new Municipal Citation System,
please contact the Town Of Jupiter Code Compliance Office at 561-741-2477.
Town Hall...
