Code Enforcement
Miami-Dade County code enforcement citations can involve civil penalties, correction requirements, administrative hearings, continuing penalties, exhibit deadlines, and different payment offices. This article explains how to search for a citation, review the notice, pay a civil penalty, request a hearing, prepare evidence, attend a remote or in-person proceeding, obtain a hearing recording, and handle animal services citations.
How Code Enforcement Works
The Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller administers the hearing process for county code enforcement cases. The Code Enforcement Office uses a quasi-judicial process to provide hearings for people and organizations cited by county code inspectors for violations of county ordinances.
The Clerk does not perform every part of the enforcement process. A county department or inspector may issue the citation, the Miami-Dade County Internal Compliance Department may collect the civil penalty, and the Clerk’s Code Enforcement Division conducts an administrative hearing when a citation or assessment is contested.
This division of responsibilities matters because sending a payment, appeal, supporting document, or question to the wrong office can delay processing. Before taking action, identify the type of notice received, the issuing department, the citation number, the deadline printed on the notice, and whether the matter concerns a standard civil violation, continuing penalties, animal services, or another county program.
Online Citation Search
The Miami-Dade County Code Enforcement Online System provides basic search and payment functions. Users can search for citations using the available criteria, review detailed information for a particular citation, and access general code enforcement information.
Enter the citation information exactly as it appears on the notice whenever possible. Similar numbers may be associated with different cases, departments, or violation types. After finding a result, compare the displayed details with the paper or electronic notice before making a payment or preparing an appeal.
Useful details to compare include:
The civil violation or citation number.
The name of the person or organization cited.
The department that issued the notice.
The type of violation or assessment.
The civil penalty shown for the citation.
The current case or payment information displayed in the system.
Do not assume that a citation has been resolved simply because a payment was submitted. Some violations also require corrective action. If the violation has not been corrected or the correction has not been recorded, additional penalties may be assessed even when the original civil penalty has been paid.
Reviewing the Citation Notice
The citation or notice is the primary source for the case-specific requirements. It may identify the violation, civil penalty, correction period, issuing department, appeal rights, and response deadline. Keep the entire notice rather than retaining only the payment section.
The county instructs recipients to pay the civil penalty indicated on the notice and correct the violation within the stated period when correction is required. Additional penalties may result when payment is late or when the required correction is not recorded.
Before paying or appealing, review the notice for several separate obligations. A monetary penalty and a compliance requirement are not necessarily the same thing. Payment may resolve the amount due for a citation, while permits, licenses, repairs, vaccinations, property corrections, or other actions may still be needed to achieve compliance.
Citation and Assessment Differences
A Uniform Civil Violation gives the alleged violator an opportunity to contest the violation through an administrative hearing. A Notice of Assessment of Continuing Penalties concerns penalties assessed after an alleged violation has continued or remained unresolved.
Both types of matters may be contested, but the request should clearly identify the document being appealed. The hearing request form allows a person to select an appeal of a Uniform Civil Violation Notice or an appeal of a Notice of Assessment.
Do not describe a notice of continuing penalties as a new citation unless the county document identifies it that way. Keeping the notice types separate helps the Clerk associate the hearing request, exhibits, and hearing record with the correct proceeding.
Payment Responsibilities
The Clerk’s official Code Enforcement page directs citation payments to the Miami-Dade County Internal Compliance Department. Payments may be made by mail or by phone using the contact information listed at the end of this article. The online citation system may also display search and payment options for eligible citations.
When paying by mail, include enough information for the county to apply the payment to the correct citation. The reference material for pet citations specifically instructs payers to include the Citation Violation Notice number on the check. The payment instrument must be payable to the government entity identified for that payment method.
Retain a copy of the citation, payment instrument, mailing information, confirmation number, or receipt. These records may be useful if the payment does not appear in the system or if the county needs help locating the transaction.
Payment Does Not Equal Compliance
A civil penalty and the underlying violation must be treated separately. Paying an amount due does not automatically prove that the condition cited by the county has been corrected. The notice may require action within a specified period, and additional penalties may apply if the correction is not completed or recorded.
After correcting a violation, follow the instructions from the issuing department. The Clerk conducts hearings and maintains code enforcement case information, but the department that issued the citation may be responsible for determining whether the cited condition has been brought into compliance.
Administrative Hearing Requests
People who want to contest a qualifying citation or continuing-penalty assessment may request an administrative hearing. Hearings are conducted by the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller’s Code Enforcement Division and are handled in a quasi-judicial manner. An appointed hearing officer hears the case and considers the positions and evidence presented.
The Clerk’s materials generally describe a 20-day appeal period. A Uniform Civil Violation may be contested within 20 days of the issued citation, and a Notice of Assessment of Continuing Penalties may be contested within 20 days of the issued assessment. Other Clerk information describes filing within 20 days after receipt. Because some code violation deadlines may differ, follow the deadline printed on the specific notice rather than relying on a general time period alone.
A hearing request must be submitted in writing. The Request for Hearing form states that a completed form must be accompanied by a copy of the citation. Submission is available by email, mail, or in person through the Code Enforcement Division.
Who May Submit an Appeal
The form requires the person submitting the appeal to affirm that the submitter is authorized to act in the case. The submitter may be:
The alleged violator named on the citation.
A licensed attorney acting as a legal representative.
A corporate officer acting for the cited organization.
An authorized agent with a notarized power of attorney.
The form warns that submitted information must be true, accurate, legible, complete, and compliant with applicable requirements. False or misleading information remains the responsibility of the submitter.
Information Required on the Form
The hearing request form asks for the civil violation notice number or numbers being appealed, the requestor’s name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. It also requires the appropriate signature and date.
The alleged violator may sign when the appeal is submitted personally. A corporate officer or authorized agent must complete the authorized-agent portion, and an attorney must provide identifying information that includes a Florida Bar number.
Write the citation number clearly and attach a readable copy of the citation. An incomplete number, missing citation copy, illegible form, or unsigned request can make it harder to identify the case and process the appeal.
Public Records and Email
Under Florida law, email addresses sent to the Clerk may become public records. A person who does not want an email address released in response to a public records request should contact the office by phone or in writing rather than sending electronic mail.
Hearing Format and Scheduling
Code enforcement hearings may be held remotely through Zoom or conducted in person at county locations. The hearing notice should identify the date, time, format, and participation instructions for the individual case.
Remote hearings are conducted electronically through the Zoom application. The Clerk posts links for scheduled hearing sessions, and participants must register in advance. After registration, the participant receives a confirmation email containing information needed to join the webinar.
All posted hearing times are in Eastern Time. Confirm the date and time on the hearing notice and complete registration before the hearing. Do not rely solely on a general online schedule because different departments may have separate hearing sessions.
In-person hearings may be scheduled at the Stephen P. Clarke Center, the Herbert S. Saffir Permitting and Inspection Center, or the South Dade Government Center. The assigned location should appear in the case-specific hearing information.
Preparing for the Proceeding
Organize the citation, hearing notice, appeal form, photographs, permits, correspondence, inspection documents, receipts, and other relevant records before the scheduled date. Evidence intended for consideration must be submitted according to the Clerk’s exhibit requirements rather than brought for the first time at the hearing.
Participants should also verify their role in the case. The Clerk’s exhibit form distinguishes between appellant exhibits and county department representative exhibits. Attorneys, appellants, and department representatives should identify themselves consistently in correspondence and exhibit filenames.
Evidence and Exhibit Rules
The Clerk’s Code Enforcement exhibit instructions require the exhibit index and all evidence to be submitted no later than 10 days before the scheduled appeals hearing. Evidence submitted after that deadline or presented for the first time at the hearing will not be accepted for use.
The exhibit submission email must include:
The completed Exhibit Index form.
The citation number.
The hearing date.
The hearing time.
The participant’s role in the case.
The properly identified exhibit files.
The participant role may be listed as the appellant, appellant’s attorney, department representative, or another applicable role. The Clerk sends an acknowledgment after receiving an exhibit email. Retain that acknowledgment with the case records.
Exhibit Labels and Filenames
Appellant exhibits are labeled AP1, AP2, AP3, and so forth. County department representative exhibits use DR1, DR2, DR3, and similar numbering. The first page of each exhibit should carry the appropriate label.
Each entry on the exhibit index should include the filename, a brief description, and the number of pages. For example, photographs may be described by the subject and date, while permit documents may be identified by permit number.
Use separate, readable files and match each file to its exhibit index entry. Avoid using unexplained filenames or combining unrelated records into a single exhibit without an accurate description. Proper labeling helps the Clerk track the materials during the hearing.
Once submitted, the exhibit index and attachments become public records of Miami-Dade County. Review documents before submission for personal information that is unrelated to the case.
Hearing Fees and Forms
The Clerk identifies a $75 fee covering the administrative cost of an appeal hearing when the person is found guilty. A fee of $10 applies per citation for each duplicated videotape or hearing recording requested under the related service information.
Clerk forms are provided for reference. The Clerk does not guarantee that a form is suitable for a particular legal purpose and cannot provide legal counsel or help a person decide how to present a case. Forms may also be controlled or affected by statutes, rules, administrative orders, or agency practices.
Review the revision date printed on any form before submitting it. Use the current official form linked from the Clerk’s website rather than a saved copy obtained from another source.
Animal Services Citations
Animal Services civil citations may be issued when a pet owner does not comply with county ordinances or laws. Common subjects identified by the county include rabies vaccination, license tags, spaying or neutering an adopted pet, dogs running at large, and unlawful tethering.
The county’s Pet Citations service page explains payment, disputes, compliance requirements, collections, and administrative appeals. Animal Services citations require special attention because payment alone does not achieve compliance.
Pet Citation Compliance
Compliance is achieved only after all requirements stated in the citation have been satisfied. Depending on the violation, those requirements may include obtaining a license tag, providing a valid rabies vaccination, or meeting another condition listed on the citation.
A person who pays the civil penalty but does not complete the required corrective actions may still have an unresolved compliance issue. Keep copies of vaccination certificates, license records, and other documents that show the condition has been corrected.
Disputing an Animal Citation
A pet owner may contact Animal Services by email to dispute a citation. The email should include the owner’s name, address, phone number, violation or citation number, and supporting documents. The county communicates the dispute resolution by email.
A person who is no longer the pet’s owner may also notify Animal Services. Supporting records should be included so the department can evaluate the claim.
If the owner disagrees with the citation resolution, an administrative hearing may be requested. The appeal request must be submitted in writing within 20 calendar days from the date the citation was issued. The hearing date is provided by mail, and the Clerk may contact the owner by mail if additional information is needed.
Closed animal citations may take two weeks to appear in the system. If a citation has recently been resolved, allow for that posting period before assuming the online record was not updated.
Hearing Record Copies
A person may request a copy of the audio or visual recording from a code enforcement hearing session. The official audio and visual recording request form must be completed and submitted with the required payment.
The copy fee is $10 for each Civil Violation Notice number. Clerk certification of the recording costs an additional $2, and priority U.S. Mail delivery adds an $8 postage and handling charge. All applicable fees must be paid in full when the request is submitted.
A separate form is required for each hearing session. Only one hearing session is copied to each DVD. The form requests the issuing department, hearing date, hearing officer’s name, civil violation notice number or numbers, requestor’s name, mailing address, daytime phone number, and signature.
Payment may be submitted in person or by mail. Checks must be payable to “Clerk of Courts, Code Enforcement.” American Express, Mastercard, and Visa may be used in person or by phone.
The recording is not a written transcript. A person seeking a transcript must take the audio or visual recording to a court reporter and pay the transcription cost.
Common Filing Mistakes
Several avoidable errors can interfere with a code enforcement payment, appeal, or exhibit submission:
Missing the deadline printed on the citation or assessment.
Submitting a hearing request without a copy of the citation.
Using an incomplete or incorrect citation number.
Sending payment to the Clerk instead of the Internal Compliance Department.
Assuming payment automatically corrects the violation.
Submitting exhibits fewer than 10 days before the hearing.
Failing to label appellant exhibits AP1, AP2, and so forth.
Leaving the hearing date, time, or participant role out of the exhibit email.
Failing to register in advance for a remote hearing.
Using an outdated form saved from an earlier case.
Keep one organized file containing the notice, citation copy, hearing request, mailing or email confirmation, exhibits, Clerk acknowledgment, payment receipt, and hearing notice. When communicating with the county, include the citation number and use the same name that appears on the notice.
Clerk Contact Options
The Clerk’s official contact page provides general and department-specific contact information. General information is also available through the Clerk’s Interactive Voice Response System.
Questions about a hearing request, exhibit acknowledgment, hearing schedule, or recording request should be directed to the Code Enforcement Division. Questions concerning payment collection should be directed to the Internal Compliance Department. Questions about pet-citation compliance, supporting records, or an initial dispute should be directed to Animal Services.
Relevant Departments and Offices
Clerk of the Court and Comptroller, Code Enforcement Division
111 NW 1st Street, Suite 1750
Miami, FL 33128
305-375-2333
Miami-Dade County Internal Compliance Department, Credit and Collections Division
111 NW 1st Street, 26th Floor
Miami, FL 33128
786-469-2900
Miami-Dade Animal Services
3599 NW 79 Avenue
Doral, FL 33122
311 or 305-468-5900
Clerk of the Court and Comptroller of Miami-Dade County
20 NW 1st Avenue
Miami, FL 33128
305-275-1155
Code Enforcement FAQs
Can I Pay a Pet Citation With a Business Check?
Miami-Dade Animal Services accepts business checks for in-person pet citation payments, but the person presenting the check must show a current driver’s license. The check must display the business name, address, and phone number. Checks, money orders, and cashier’s checks should include the Citation Violation Notice number so the payment can be matched to the correct record. Accepted payment methods vary between in-person and mailed transactions, so review the official pet citation payment requirements before submitting funds.
How Are Pet Citation Disputes Communicated?
The method used to communicate a decision depends on the citation’s status. For a standard pet citation dispute, Animal Services states that the resolution will be communicated by email. When the citation has already been referred to collections, the dispute resolution is communicated by mail. Owners should provide complete supporting documents and keep their mailing and email information current so they do not miss the department’s response.
What Does the Appeal Form Warning Mean?
The official code enforcement hearing request form requires the person filing the appeal to certify that the submitted information is accurate, legible, complete, and truthful. The form specifically warns that knowingly making a false written statement to mislead a public servant may constitute a second-degree misdemeanor under Florida Statute 837.06. Review every citation number, name, signature, and supporting statement before filing.
Can One Recording Request Include Several Citations?
A recording request may identify multiple Civil Violation Notice numbers when those citations were addressed during the same hearing session. However, the Clerk charges the copy fee separately for each citation number. A different audio or visual recording request is required for each separate hearing session, and only one hearing session is placed on each DVD. Certification and priority-mail charges are additional when requested.