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Code Enforcement

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1. What is a Notice of Violation?

A Notice of Violation is a letter that is mailed to the property owner of recorded notifying them of all violations on the property.

2. What needs to happen when I receive a Notice of Violation?

Once you receive a Notice of Violation you will be given a time frame to correct the violations. Code Enforcement Division encourages the owner to contact the Code Officer that issued the letter.

3. What is a Notice of Hearing?

A Notice of Hearing is issued once a re-inspection has been completed and the property is still in violation by the Code Officer. This notice is provides the property owner a date and time for a hearing regarding the violations on the property.

4. What do I need to do when I receive a Notice of Hearing?

If you have received a Notice of Hearing it is strongly encouraged that you are present for the meeting. Code Enforcement Division encourages the property owner to contact the Code Officer that issued the letter.

5. Who is responsible for a code violation, the tenant or the property owner?

The property owner is ultimately responsible for the code violations on their property. However, if the violator is known can be cited as well. This is why the property owner receives the Notice of Violation and the Notice of Hearing when violations are present on the property.

6. If I am concerned about code violations, what should I do?

You can contact the Code Enforcement Division in a few different ways to file a complaint. 1.By Phone – 321-433-8508 2.By Mail –1226 W King Street, Cocoa, FL 32922 3.By Email through the City Website -  click on Share Your Concerns.

7. What are the rules on yard maintenance?

Per the City Code Section 6-901; “All owners, agents, custodians, lessees and occupants of real property within the city shall cut and keep cut to a height of not exceeding twelve (12) inches all weeds, grass or underbrush on any property owned, controlled or occupied by them within the city and shall remove any trash, debris, refuses, filth, junked appliances or other noxious matter located upon such property.”

8. Where can I park my RV/Camper/Boat on my property?

Major recreational equipment may be parked or stored in a residential district within required front, side and rear yards, providing that:
(A)Major recreational equipment stored forward of the front building line shall:
(1)Be a maximum of twenty-two (22) feet in length overall.
(2)Be parked within the established paved driveway.
(3)Not be allowed to extend into public rights-of-way, including streets and sidewalks.

9. Where can I park my landscaping/cargo/utility trailer on my property?

A landscaping/cargo/utility trailer may be parked in the rear or side yard behind the front building line.

10. Are commercial vehicles allowed to be stored/parked in my neighborhood?

No, Per the City Code it is unlawful for any individual to park, cause to be parked, or allow to be parked any semitrailer truck or any other truck or bus for a longer period than fifteen (15) minutes in any residential area of the city.

11. Can I place a temporary storage unit or cargo container on my property?

Temporary storage units are permitted in residential zoning districts provided the following criteria are met:
(1) A maximum of one (1) temporary storage unit is permitted per lot;
(2) The maximum size of the temporary storage unit is ten (10) feet wide, twenty-four (24) feet long, and nine (9) feet high;
(3) The maximum time a temporary storage unit is permitted to remain on the lot is thirty (30) consecutive days with a maximum of two (2) placements permitted per year;
(4) The temporary storage unit shall not be placed in any right-of-way, retention area, septic field or easement and shall not create a site obstruction for any vehicular or pedestrian traffic;
(5) The temporary storage unit shall not be used for the storage of live animals, hazardous or flammable materials, or human habitation;
(7) Written notice provided to the city by the vendor or owner, on forms provided by the city, identifying the location and time of placement and removal of the temporary storage unit.

12. How many dogs and/or cats are allowed per home in the City?

Kennel - shall mean any place of business where dogs or cats, regardless of number, are kept for sale, breeding, boarding or treatment purposes, except a dog hospital, dog beauty parlor or pet shop, all as allowed by the zoning regulations of the city, or any premises used for residential purposes where five (5) or more dogs or cats, six (6) months old or older, are kept, harbored or maintained.
Kennels are not allowed within the city limits of the City of Cocoa except where specifically allowed by the city's zoning ordinance and only in the manner provided by said ordinance.

13. If my neighbor has a pool that is not being maintained, what can I do?

Pools must be secure and kept sanitary by code. Contact Code Enforcement so an officer can inspect the property. Offices may not enter a property unless a life safety issue is present. Officers can’t look over fencing to view a violation.

14. If my neighbor has a dead tree in their yard and it is or could affect my property, what can I do?

Contact code enforcement to see if it poses a threat to person or property. If the tree is not a safety concern but effects a neighboring property this would be a civil issue between homeowners.

15. Once a complaint is has been filed, what are the steps for Code Enforcement?

Once a complaint has been filed, an inspector will conduct an inspection of the location. If the complaint is valid the Officer will mail a Notice of Violation to the property owner. The notice will have date for compliance to be achieved, at that time the Officer will conduct a re-inspection of the location. If the location has complied with the request in the Notice of Violation the case will be closed, however if the violation(s) still exist the Officer will mail a certified Notice to Appear for a Hearing to the property owner. The Notice to Appear for Hearing will have a date for the CEB meeting which is when the case will be heard by the Board members. At the meeting the Officer will give a brief description of the property, the violation(s) and a staff recommendation. The meeting will be opened to the property owner/violator for testimony or a brief statement to the Board members. The Board, after the testimonies, will make a decision based on the evidence and testimonies given. Each case heard will receive in the mail a Board Order stating the Findings and the Facts of the case for the CEB meeting. In the Broad Order a date for final compliance will be specified with the fine amount for non-compliance. The Officer will complete an inspection for compliance based off the date provided in the Board Order. If the location has complied with the request in the Board Order the case will be closed, however if the violation(s) still exist the property will go before the Board for a Non-Compliance Hearing and be found in non-compliance and a lien will be assessed against the property.

16. How do I pay for a Code Enforcement lien on my property?

You can pay by mail to: Cocoa Police Department
1226 W King Street
Cocoa, FL 32922
(Note: by mail you will need a case # and the site address enclosed with the payment.)

17. If I have a lien on my property, what can I do about it?

There are two types of liens that can be placed on a property, Fixed Lien or Running Lien.
A fixed lien is a lien that the amount doesn’t change. A running lien is an amount that is accruing at a specific amount per day, this is typical of a property that was found in violation and has not corrected the violation(s).
The first step to handling a running lien is to correct the violations as soon as possible and call the Code Enforcement Office for a re-inspection of the property. Once the inspection has been completed, the running lien becomes a fixed lien. At that time the property owner may complete a Lien Reduction Application to request a reduction from the Code Enforcement Board. The property will need to be in compliance with all City Codes at the time of the request and remain in compliance through the duration of the Lien Reduction process. Once the application has been completed, the fee has been paid and the property has been re-inspected, the case will be placed on the next closest CEB agenda. (NOTE: The applicate will need to be present at the meeting for the request to presented before the Board.) After the CEB has heard the case and made a recommendation, the case will be placed on the next closest City Council Agenda for Approval or Denial of the recommendation. (Note: The owner may choose to be present at the City Council meeting, it is not required but it’s recommended.) If approved the property owner will have 30 days from the City Council meeting to pay the reduced amount. (NOTE: if the owner fails to make that payment the lien will revert back to the original amount and the owner will not be allowed to request a reduction again from one full year.) Once the amount is paid in full, staff will request a Release of Lien from the City Clerk’s Office.
Note: Abatement liens (weed or demo) are fixed liens that are not eligible for a lien reduction; these types of liens are services rendered and are required to be paid in full for the service(s) rendered.