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South Florida’s Code Violation Defense Firm

Got a code violation?
Don’t pay it. Fight it.

Most property owners pay code violation fines without contesting them — even when the violation could be dismissed. The Code Clinic fights code violations across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. One flat fee. We handle the hearing. You keep your property.

Get a Free Violation Review → How It Works →
Flat fee — no hourly
We appear at your hearing
Same-week consultations
Statewide Florida
Free Violation Review
Tell us about your violation — we’ll respond within 2 hours.

Accepted formats: PDF, JPG, PNG · Max 10MB
100% confidential · Attorney–client privilege applies
3
Counties Covered
Flat
Fee — Always
2 hr
Response Time
100%
Flat Fee — Every Case
$3.9M+
In lien reductions negotiated for our clients across South Florida.
Reflects aggregate reductions obtained through negotiation and magistrate proceedings. Prospective client may not obtain the same or similar results. Results vary based on the facts of each case.
Representative Matters

Lien reductions we’ve obtained for clients.

Fort Lauderdale · Magistrate Resolution
$65,000
→
$600
99% Reduction · Featured on CBS Miami
Prospective client may not obtain the same or similar results. Results vary based on the facts of each case.
South Florida · Lien Reduction
$45,000
→
$750
98.3% Reduction
Prospective client may not obtain the same or similar results. Results vary based on the facts of each case.
South Florida · Largest Negotiated Reduction
$4,000,000
→
$150,000
96.3% Reduction Negotiated
Reduction terms reached through §162.09(3) proceedings. Prospective client may not obtain the same or similar results. Results vary based on the facts of each case.
What We Handle

We fight every type of code violation.

From municipal notices to HOA fines to pre-closing investor clearances — The Code Clinic handles it all, flat fee.

001

Municipal Code Violations

City and county code enforcement notices for property maintenance, overgrown lots, unpermitted structures, signage, and more. We appear at Special Magistrate hearings and fight for dismissal or reduction.

Fight this violation →
002

HOA Fine Defense

Your HOA must follow strict procedures before fining you. We review the notice, identify procedural defects under Fla. Stat. §720.305, send demand letters, and represent you at HOA hearings.

Fight your HOA fine →
003

Unpermitted Work

Structures, additions, or improvements built without permits can trigger serious violations. We help you navigate the permit after-the-fact process and represent you at hearings.

Get help now →
004

Lien Reduction & Satisfaction

Code enforcement liens can reach into the millions. We petition for dramatic reductions under Fla. Stat. §162.09(3) — we’ve reduced a $45,000 lien to $750 and a $4,000,000 lien to $150,000.

Reduce your lien →
005

Pre-Closing Violation Clearance

Open violations can kill a deal at closing. We work on expedited timelines to review, appear, and resolve violations so your transaction closes on time. Title agents and closing attorneys — we have a page built for you.

For title agents & closing attorneys →
006

Appeals & Circuit Court

Received an adverse ruling at the Special Magistrate? You have 30 days to appeal to circuit court. We handle code enforcement appeals and protect your record.

Discuss an appeal →
The Process

Four steps. Flat fee. Done.

We made it as simple as possible. You send us the violation. We handle everything else.

01

Send Us Your Notice

Submit your violation notice through our online form or call us. Takes 2 minutes. We respond within 2 hours.

02

We Review & Quote

We review the notice, identify every defense, and give you a flat-fee quote. No obligation, no surprises.

03

We Prepare Your Defense

We file the motions, gather the evidence, and prepare the strategy. You don’t have to do anything.

04

We Win Your Hearing

We appear at the Special Magistrate hearing and fight for dismissal, reduction, or compliance agreement.

Why It Matters

When the city shows up with a lawyer, a permit expediter isn’t enough.

Expediters are good at what they do — navigating permits, coordinating inspections, moving paperwork through the system. If compliance is all you need, they may get you there. But a Special Magistrate hearing is a different situation entirely.

The Stakes Are Legal

Fines can accrue at up to $5,000 per day. Liens can attach to your property title. These are legal consequences that require legal defenses — not paperwork management.

Procedural Defenses Disappear If No One Raises Them

A defective notice. Improper service. Inadequate hearing notice. These can get your case dismissed before you fix a single thing — but only if an attorney spots them and raises them at the right moment.

Attorney–Client Privilege

Everything you tell us is protected. That protection doesn’t exist with an expediter. When you’re dealing with a government enforcement action, that distinction matters.

Florida Bar Accountability

Our attorneys are licensed by the Florida Bar and bound by its ethical rules. If your case requires an appeal to circuit court, we can take it there. An expediter cannot.

The city has legal counsel at your hearing. You should too. — The Code Clinic

The city has legal counsel at your hearing. They know the procedures, the standards, and how to make fines stick. The Code Clinic levels the playing field — with an attorney who knows the law, knows the magistrates, and knows how to win.

Get a Free Case Review →
Why The Code Clinic

Why we’re different.

The city has an attorney at your hearing. You should too.

Code enforcement officers know the system. They’ve been to hundreds of hearings. Most property owners show up alone, unprepared, and pay fines they didn’t have to. The Code Clinic levels the playing field.

99%
Largest reduction achieved (CBS Miami case)
Flat
Fee — never hourly
$4M→$150K
Largest reduction negotiated
$45K→$750
Another lien reduced

Flat Fee — Always

One price covers the review, preparation, and hearing. No hourly billing. No retainers. No calls that cost you money.

Procedural Expertise

Many violations can be dismissed without any repairs — when the notice was defective, improperly served, or the hearing was scheduled without adequate notice.

We Know the Magistrates

We appear regularly before Special Magistrates in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. We know the procedures, the standards, and what works.

Fast Response

Violation notices have deadlines. We respond within 2 hours during business hours and can take emergency cases with hearings days away.

The Firm

A law firm built for code enforcement defense.

Ari Pregen, Esq. — The Code Clinic
Ari Pregen, Esq.
Florida Bar No. 94041

The Code Clinic is South Florida’s dedicated code enforcement defense practice — built to handle high volume, move fast, and deliver results at a flat fee. The firm appears regularly before Special Magistrates in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, and accepts cases throughout Florida. Every matter gets the same thing: a prepared defense, attorney appearance, and a price you know upfront.

The firm was founded by Ari Pregen, Esq. (FL Bar No. 94041) with a single focus: giving every property owner access to the same caliber of legal representation that large developers and institutions have always had. Code enforcement officers know the system — they’ve been to hundreds of hearings. The Code Clinic levels the playing field.

Ari has deep experience across the full spectrum of code enforcement matters — from procedural dismissals to complex lien reductions and circuit court appeals — and appears regularly before Special Magistrates in all three South Florida counties. He also serves as managing attorney of The Pregen Firm, a South Florida civil litigation practice. His work on behalf of property owners has been covered by CBS Miami.

All 3 South Florida Counties
Service Area
Special Magistrate
Hearing Specialist
Flat Fee
No Hourly Billing
Statewide Cases
Accepted
Media Coverage

In the news.

CBS Miami has covered our work defending South Florida property owners against code enforcement — including the Fort Lauderdale couple whose $65,000 in feared fines was reduced to a $600 proposed penalty.

As seen on
CBS MIAMI
CBS MiamiArticle

Fort Lauderdale Couple Feared $5,000 Daily Fines Over Code Violations, But City Proposes $600 Penalty

CBS Miami covered our representation of a Fort Lauderdale couple facing potential $5,000-per-day fines — and our sharp criticism of a system that doesn’t tell property owners their fine amount until they appear before a Special Magistrate. “That’s not code enforcement,” Pregen said. “That’s a trap.”
Read the Article →
CBS MiamiVideo + Article

Miami Gardens Homeowners Push Back Against City’s Swale Maintenance Fines

CBS Miami covered our representation of Miami Gardens homeowners facing fines over swale maintenance — a widespread issue affecting property owners across South Florida.
Read + Watch Video →
CBS MiamiVideo + Article

Lauderdale Lakes Commissioners’ Walkout Halts Vote on Relief for Property Owners Facing Six-Figure Fines

CBS Miami reported on our advocacy for Lauderdale Lakes property owners facing six-figure code enforcement fines, and the political battle over relief measures at the commission level.
Read + Watch Video →
CBS Miami coverage references Ari Pregen as counsel of record for the property owners featured.
On the Podcast
PROPERTY UNPEELED
New Episode
“The billable hour is a conflict of interest. I’ll just say it directly.” — Ari Pregen, Esq., on the episode
Property UnpeeledEpisode · 48 min

Municipal Code Violations Exposed: How Property Owners Can Reduce, Resolve, or Eliminate Costly Code Liens

Attorney Ari Pregen joins Property Unpeeled for a candid breakdown of the code enforcement system facing South Florida property owners, landlords, and real estate investors — and how the right defense changes the outcome.

  • How a Notice of Violation quietly becomes a six-figure lien
  • What really happens inside a Special Magistrate hearing
  • Negotiating accrued fines down under Fla. Stat. §162.09(3)
  • Inheriting violations on a distressed or auction property
  • The proactive moves every landlord should make first
Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music →
Facing a violation like the ones in this episode? Don’t wait for your hearing.
Get a Free Violation Review →
Service Area

Covering all of South Florida.

Our primary focus is South Florida — we know the specific procedures, magistrates, and ordinances of each county. We also accept cases statewide throughout Florida.

MD

Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade Code Enforcement operates under Chapter 8CC of the County Code. We appear at the Miami-Dade Special Magistrate Division regularly.

Miami Hialeah Coral Gables Doral Homestead North Miami Miami Beach Miami Gardens
BC

Broward County

Broward County Code Enforcement operates under Chapter 23.5. Each municipality within Broward has its own procedures — we know them all.

Fort Lauderdale Hollywood Pembroke Pines Miramar Coral Springs Plantation Davie Pompano Beach
PB

Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County’s Special Magistrate hearings are governed by Chapter 162, Florida Statutes. We represent clients from Boca Raton to West Palm.

Boca Raton West Palm Beach Boynton Beach Delray Beach Wellington Lake Worth Greenacres Palm Beach Gardens

Outside South Florida?

The Code Clinic accepts code violation cases statewide throughout Florida. Wherever you are, call us — we’ll let you know if we can help.

Get a Free Review →
Client Results

What our clients say.

Real results for real property owners across South Florida. Testimonials are based on actual client experiences. Prospective client may not obtain the same or similar results.

★★★★★
“Ari was successful in getting a lien removed from my property. His knowledge of zoning and code compliance policies was helpful. His first-hand experience navigating the municipal politics and departmental procedures was particularly valuable. Ari’s skills contributed directly to the efficient and effective execution of our objectives.”
LM
Lee Masuret
Lien Reduction · Miami-Dade
Prospective client may not obtain the same or similar results.
★★★★★
“Ari was extremely helpful resolving some issues we had with the city and code enforcement. He definitely knew the ins and outs of codes which helped to avoid significant financial penalties. He was also very responsive at all times throughout the process. Would definitely recommend and plan on using him again if needed.”
LM
Leonard Mello
Municipal Violation · Broward
Prospective client may not obtain the same or similar results.
★★★★★
“Many thanks to Attorney Ari Pregen for his excellent representation in what I felt were unfair code enforcement violations by the city at my house. I tried but was unable to resolve these issues on my own. Thanks to Ari’s hard work and knowledge, a resolution was found that worked for the city and me — saving me quite a bit of money. I highly recommend Ari’s services to anyone needing help with a code compliance issue.”
DG
D. Gonzalez
Code Enforcement · South Florida
Prospective client may not obtain the same or similar results.

Testimonials are based on the actual experiences of these clients. Results vary. Prospective client may not obtain the same or similar results.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Can a code violation really be dismissed? +

Yes — many violations are dismissed on procedural grounds. If the notice was improperly served, the hearing was scheduled without adequate notice, or the citation didn’t properly describe the violation, the case can be dismissed before you ever have to fix anything.

What does “flat fee” mean exactly? +

Flat fee representation. One price covers everything — motions, hearings, and negotiations — priced to your specific situation. You’ll know the number before we start, and it won’t change. There is no hourly billing and no retainer. Note: court costs, filing fees, or other third-party costs, if any, are separate from the flat fee and will be disclosed upfront.

What if my hearing is only a few days away? +

Call us immediately. We handle emergency cases regularly. If there is time to appear and prepare, we will. In some cases, we can also file for a continuance to buy more time for a proper defense.

Do I have to attend the hearing? +

Usually not. In most cases, we appear on your behalf and you do not need to be present. We will let you know if your attendance would be helpful for a specific case.

What if there is already a lien on my property? +

A recorded lien doesn’t mean the case is over. Under Florida Statute §162.09(3), we petition the code enforcement board for dramatic reductions. We’ve reduced a $45,000 lien to $750 and a $4,000,000 lien to $150,000. Results vary, but large recorded liens are often reducible to a fraction of the recorded amount.

Do you handle HOA violations? +

Yes. We defend homeowners and condo owners against improper HOA fines in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach under the Florida Homeowners’ Association Act (§720.305) and the Condominium Act (§718.303).

What counties do you cover? +

Our primary focus is Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, where we appear regularly before Special Magistrates and know the specific procedures in each jurisdiction. That said, we accept code violation cases throughout Florida. If you are outside South Florida, call us — we will let you know if we can help.

How quickly will you respond to my inquiry? +

We respond to all inquiries within 2 hours during business hours (Mon–Fri 8am–7pm, Sat 9am–2pm). If your hearing is imminent, call us directly for an immediate response.

What’s the difference between The Code Clinic and a permit expediter? +

Permit expediters are good at what they do — navigating municipal bureaucracy, coordinating inspections, and moving paperwork through the system. If compliance is all you need, they may get you there. But when you are heading into a Special Magistrate hearing, facing accrued fines of up to $5,000 per day, or dealing with a lien on your property title, that is a legal matter. The Code Clinic is a licensed Florida law firm. That means we can raise procedural defenses, file legal motions, challenge the city’s evidence, and take your case to circuit court if it comes to that. It also means attorney–client privilege and accountability to the Florida Bar — protections that do not exist with a non-attorney service. The city has legal counsel at your hearing. You should too.

Resources & Guides

Florida Code Enforcement Resources.

Practical guides on how Florida code enforcement actually works — written by attorney Ari Pregen for property owners, landlords, and real estate professionals across South Florida.

By County
Broward County Code Defense
Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, and every other Broward city. Featured on CBS Miami.
By County
Miami-Dade County Code Defense
All 34 Miami-Dade municipalities plus the County’s Chapter 8CC system. From $4M lien reductions to first-time hearings.
By County
Palm Beach County Code Defense
West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, and the eastern coastal cities.
Liens
Code Enforcement Lien Removal
How §162.09(2)(a) reduction motions work — and how we have reduced liens from $4M to $150K, and $45K to $750.
For Title Agents
Pre-Closing Lien Clearance
Title agents and closing attorneys: same-day file review, flat-fee, underwriter-ready documentation.
STR Defense
Miami Beach STR Defense
Airbnb & Vrbo defense in Miami Beach — where first-offense fines start at $20,000 and escalate to $100,000.
Defense Strategy
How to Fight a Code Violation
The procedural and evidentiary defenses Chapter 162 makes available — and which ones win at the magistrate level.
Just Received Notice?
What to Do First
The first 7 things every property owner should do after receiving a Notice of Violation in Florida.
View All Code Enforcement Articles →
The best time to act is before your hearing — not at it. Every day you wait, fines accrue. Miss your hearing and a lien can attach to your property title.
Get a Free Review Now →

Don’t pay a fine you may not owe.

Send us your violation notice today. We’ll review it, identify your defenses, and tell you exactly what we can do — before you pay us anything.

Submit Your Violation Now →
(305) 396-1495
Ari Pregen, Esq. · Florida Bar No. 94041 · Free consultations · No obligation