Fix a Violation
For Residents Who Receive a Letter
A letter from the Codes Compliance Assistance Department is a call to positive action. Proper repair of violations makes any home cleaner, safer, more appealing, and more valuable. Depending upon the violations identified and the property owner's willingness and ability to make needed repairs, a letter can be the first step to qualify for volunteer or financial assistance to achieve compliance. By taking positive action to resolve the violations and talking regularly with an investigator about personal needs and the progress of the work, cases can be quickly closed to compliance.
To contact their investigator, residents should use the telephone number from the notice letter that appears at the bottom of the letter next to the investigator's name. When in doubt, residents can call 727-893-7373.
Residents who receive a letter for a property they no longer own should contact the Codes Compliance Assistance Department at 727-893-7373, or the investigator listed on the letter. In some cases, there can be a time gap of 4-6 weeks from when a property is sold to when the County informs the City of the transfer to a new owner.
Next Steps for Residents
The following instructions are provided to help residents understand what to do and what to expect after receiving a letter.
Understand the Violations
Residents should be sure they understand what the violations are and what must be done to correct them. They should review the Information Sheets webpage for details about violations that may be identified in their letter and talk to their investigator about how to arrange to move forward with repairs quickly so they may correct the violations prior to the compliance date.
Know the Compliance Date
Residents should be sure they know the compliance date, which is the date by which they must correct the violations.
Study the Options
Review the Department's Enforcement Steps to be familiar with any options. Residents may be eligible for an extension of time to comply. If you find that you need to request an extension of time to correct the violations, contact your investigator immediately. Extension requests must be submitted in writing prior to the first compliance date. If granted, an extension can only be for 30 days beyond the first compliance date. Some violations do not qualify for extensions.
Report When Repairs are Complete
Contact your investigator immediately if you have corrected the violations.
Ask for Assistance
Residents who are elderly, disabled, or have financial constraints may qualify for volunteer or financial assistance to resolve code violations. Residents who feel they may qualify for this assistance should contact their investigator to discuss assistance options. See below for more information on assistance programs.
Notice of Hearing
A Notice of Hearing must be treated seriously - If you have received a "Notice of Hearing" instructing you to appear before the Code Enforcement Board, it is your responsibility to attend the hearing or to arrange to have an authorized representative appear on your behalf. If the representative you designate to attend the hearing is not your attorney or other legally recognized representative (such as the officer of a company that owns the property) the representative must present an Authorization to Represent to the Recording Secretary for the Code Enforcement Board and Special Magistrate, prior to the hearing. The authorization must be an original notarized document and is available on the Forms & Reports page of this website.
Assistance Programs & Resources
Residents should speak with their investigator regarding any issues of challenges they may be experiencing that could prevent them from meeting their compliance date. The investigator may be able to help direct residents to City-sponsored assistance programs. Find resources listed below and in the following document.
City Programs Available to Homeowners
City Loan Programs
The City offers home repair loans to qualified applicants who own and occupy single family residences in the city of St. Pete. Applicants must meet minimum credit underwriting standards and maximum gross household incomes, as defined by HUD's median family income (MFI). For information on loan programs visit the Grants and Loans page.
Florida 2-1-1
Florida 2-1-1 is a free, confidential service that connects Floridians with local community-based organizations across the state offering thousands of different programs and services. Dial 2-1-1 from any cell phone and most landlines to be connected or visit the 2-1-1 website housing and utilities page for more information.
HEC3 & Swap Shop
The Household Electronics and Chemical Collection Center (HEC3) & Swap Shop provides hazardous household waste, electronic, and chemical disposal services and offers used household products like paint, cleaners, and automotive fluids free of charge to the public for reuse. Visit their website for additional information.
Neighborhood Team (N-Team)
The Neighborhood Team, or N-Team, is staffed by City employees who, along with volunteers, assist people in need and improve the community. While code enforcement is necessary to protect the values of aging properties, some homeowners cannot afford to repair their homes. N-Team workers help relieve that burden by providing the following services: exterior painting, carpentry, handicap access ramps, minor roof repairs and patching, roof tarps, minor plumbing, junk/trash and debris removal, overgrowth removal, and code violation repairs. Free home improvement services are available to St. Pete homeowners who are elderly, disabled, or low-income.
To apply for assistance from the N-Team, complete the Neighborhood Team Assistance Application found here.
Pinellas County Extension
Visit the Pinellas County Extension for information on landscaping, planting, mulch & finished compost.