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This section of the Communications Department serves as the administrative support office for the Hillsborough County Code Enforcement
Board and Code Enforcement Special Magistrate, the Nuisance Abatement Board and the Land Use Appeals Board.
- The Code
Enforcement Board and Special Magistrate hear cases of alleged violations of County codes and ordinances and
have the power to order compliance with the codes by a specific date and that a fine per day may be imposed if compliance
is not achieved. The orders have the force of law to command whatever steps are necessary to bring the violation in to
compliance.
- The Nuisance Abatement Board hears cases involving property which houses prostitution, controlled substance activity,
criminal gangs. It has the power to declare such properties a public nuisance; to enter orders prohibiting
the maintenance of the nuisances; and to assess fines.
- The Land Use Appeals Board hears appeals of the decisions of the Land Use Hearing
Officer for variances and special use applications. It has the power to uphold the decision of the Land Use
Hearing Officer or remand it to the Land Use Hearing Officer for specific issues.
Staff must process all cases to the appropriate
boards, prepare and attend the hearings, disseminate all orders of the Boards, maintain the official "record" of all
cases, and record and release liens. They also accept payments of fines and function as the "clerk of the lower tribunal",
under the rules of the appellant procedure, when code enforcement cases are appealed to Circuit Court. The section is charged with
processing all cases from the various departments, without bias, and must be able to withstand legal scrutiny. |
