The City of Oakland Park works hard to provide a high quality of life where everyone is proud to live, work, and play. As part of an ongoing effort to enhance appearances, create a pleasant environment, and foster a sense of community pride, the City has been reviewing and updating its community standards.  

Staff presented at last week’s Commission Meeting about the City’s Community Enhancement Program and its goal to achieve compliance with existing code provisions. As staff explained, they have been working closely with residents and businesses to educate them about community standards and the importance of maintaining safe and healthy conditions on various issues ranging from temporary signage and outdoor storage to garbage removal, parking, and more.

The presentation included an overview of the City's steps to hold individuals responsible for maintaining their property or business. Staff also discussed the top ten properties and businesses that do not comply with City ordinances and have accrued liens on their properties valued between $272,300 and $1.4 million (see list below). The City Commission encouraged staff to pursue all options available to them to bring those violators into compliance and consider taking legal action if necessary.

Cities have an opportunity to enforce local ordinances through their code enforcement boards or special magistrates under Florida Statute 162. The Community Enhancement process is as follows:

• City staff either educates the business or property owner about the issue or sends a courtesy notice.
• The property/business owner is given a reasonable amount of time to correct the issue/come into compliance.
• If not corrected, the violation is reviewed by a Special Magistrate or a Code Board, who will make a ruling.
• If an Order of Enforcement is issued, the property/business owner will be given time to comply with the order.
• If the owner does not comply, a follow-up hearing is held to certify compliance or noncompliance with the order.
• If the owner does not comply, a lien can be imposed on the property.