Pursuant to F.S. Chapter 166 and § 893.138, the City Council hereby creates the public nuisance abatement process and designates a Special Magistrate to hear public nuisance complaints. It is the intent of this section to establish a public nuisance abatement process to promote, protect, and improve the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city by providing an equitable, expeditious and effective method to abate public nuisances. The Special Magistrate shall have authority to hold hearings and assess fines against property owners and issue orders having the force of law in accordance with the terms and conditions herein set and under the authority of F.S. Chapter 166 and § 893.138. The Special Magistrate may impose fines not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per day for public nuisances; requiring payment of reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, associated with the investigations of and hearings on public nuisances; imposing fines not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) per day for recurring public nuisances; providing for continuing jurisdiction for a period of one (1) year over any place or premises that has been or is declared to be a public nuisance; providing for the recording of orders on public nuisances; providing for recorded orders on public nuisances becoming liens against the real property that is the subject of the order; and providing for the foreclosure of property subject to the lien and the recovery of all costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, associated with the recording of orders and foreclosure. The jurisdiction of the public nuisance abatement Special Magistrate shall not be exclusive.
(Ord. 2022-11, passed 1-20-22)