Instant fines are possible for code violators

Boca Raton wants to take a new approach to crack down on noise complaints, unkempt properties and other code violations in the city’s neighborhoods.

It may increase its staff and enforce city codes by ticketing scofflaws in person— a speedier way to get results, the city says.

“It’s a more direct answer” that “gets to the root of the problem,” Councilman Robert Weinroth said.

That would differ from the city’s practice of placing liens on a landlord’s property, which doesn’t provide neighbors instant relief. “It’s not that we’re not attempting to enforce, but it’s just a bulky and drawn-out process,” Mayor Susan Haynie said.

Under a direct ticketing system, considered by the city for the first time this week, violators would see a fine immediately.

It is unknown at this time how much the violations would cost offenders. But they could have the option to appeal the ticket later, said Assistant CityManager George Brown.

Brown said the discussion to up enforcement started be-

cause the city was concerned about noise complaints near Florida Atlantic University.

“But it’s not just about college students,” Brown said. “It’s about other renters and it’s important to remember these types of violations also occur on owner-occupied property.”

The city counted 1,986 code violations last year, including complaints of over grown vegetation outside homes, over-parked areas and litter and trash all over properties.

The city saw about 400 fewer code violations in 2016 than the year before. Officials credited the reduction to stepped-up enforcement, such as staffing people on nights and weekends.

Boca officials had considered starting a registration program, where landlords would have been required to get a permit for their rental properties.

But the City Council shot down that idea Monday, concerned it would burden people who don’t break the rules.

“I think that this is just overly broad for what we are trying to address,” Council man Robert We in roth said.