Quick AnswerThe Code Clinic, PLLC provides flat-fee code violation defense for property owners, landlords, and businesses in Boca Raton, Florida. Attorney Ari Pregen defends clients before the City of Boca Raton Special Magistrate under Florida Statute Chapter 162 — handling violation hearings, fine reduction, lien removal, and pre-closing clearance. Call (305) 396-1495 for a free review.
Boca Raton can penalise you without ever scheduling a hearing. If you are waiting for a hearing notice to arrive, you may be waiting through the entire process.
The direct citation track runs alongside the Special Magistrate
Boca Raton publishes a Schedule of Minimum Civil Penalties for Violations Enforced Pursuant to Section 9-60, adopted by resolution. That schedule is the tell: it means a direct citation carrying a civil penalty is an available route in Boca Raton, running alongside the Special Magistrate process rather than replacing it.
This is where Boca matters go wrong. Paperwork arrives, the owner assumes a hearing will follow and waits — without checking which route the city has actually taken. A citation and a notice of violation are not the same instrument and do not carry the same deadlines. The first question in any Boca Raton matter is which one you are holding, because the answer determines what you have to do and by when. If you are not certain, call us and we will tell you.
Your case file may not live where you think
Code Enforcement sits within Development Services, but the Special Magistrate is administered by the City Clerk’s Office — a split that sends owners to the wrong counter when they are trying to find their own file or confirm a hearing. The same Special Magistrate also runs a separate parking docket, so confirming which docket your matter is on is worth doing before you appear.
Procedural details on this page are drawn from the City of Boca Raton — Direct Citations. Municipal procedures change — confirm current requirements before relying on them, or call us and we will confirm them for your matter.
How Boca Raton code enforcement works
Boca Raton Code Enforcement, within Development Services, with the Special Magistrate administered by the City Clerk’s Office, enforces the City of Boca Raton's municipal code for properties within city limits, operating under the quasi-judicial framework established by Florida Statute Chapter 162. When an officer identifies a potential violation — through a complaint, a proactive inspection, or an aerial review — the property owner receives a written notice of violation citing the specific ordinance, the nature of the alleged violation, and the compliance deadline. If the violation is not corrected by that deadline, a hearing is scheduled before the City of Boca Raton Special Magistrate. This describes the Special Magistrate track. As noted above, Boca Raton also publishes a schedule of minimum civil penalties for direct citations under Section 9-60, so confirm which route your matter is on before assuming a hearing will be set.
At the hearing, the code enforcement officer presents evidence and testimony. The property owner — or their attorney — has the opportunity to respond, present evidence, cross-examine the officer, and make legal arguments. The Special Magistrate then issues a written order. If a violation is found and the compliance deadline passes without correction, daily fines begin accruing automatically under §162.09(1) — no further notice required. Those fines can be recorded as a lien against the property under §162.09(3), attaching to title and blocking any sale or refinancing until resolved.
Serving Boca Raton and surrounding communities
The Code Clinic serves property owners throughout Boca Raton and neighboring communities including Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, and Pompano Beach. Whether your property is subject to Boca Raton's municipal code enforcement or falls under Palm Beach County's jurisdiction, attorney Ari Pregen knows the local ordinances, the hearing procedures, and the arguments that are most effective before the Special Magistrate in your jurisdiction. Nearby, we regularly appear for clients in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach, just across the county line in Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach, and everywhere else in Palm Beach County. Browse all communities we serve.
Flat-fee defense — know your cost before your hearing
One of the biggest reasons property owners hesitate to hire an attorney for code violation defense is unpredictable cost. The Code Clinic was built to solve that problem. One flat fee covers your Boca Raton code violation hearing — no hourly billing, no surprise invoices. Before you appear before the City of Boca Raton Special Magistrate, you know exactly what your legal defense costs. Call (305) 396-1495 or visit thecodeclinicpa.com for a free violation review.
Frequently asked questions
How does code enforcement work in Boca Raton, Florida?
Boca Raton Code Enforcement, within Development Services, with the Special Magistrate administered by the City Clerk’s Office, handles code enforcement for the City of Boca Raton, operating under the framework of Florida Statute Chapter 162. When a violation is found, property owners receive a notice with a compliance deadline. If the violation is not corrected, a hearing is scheduled before the City of Boca Raton Special Magistrate, who can impose daily fines up to $1,000 per day under §162.09(1) and record a lien against the property under §162.09(3) if fines go unpaid.
How much are code violation fines in Boca Raton, FL?
Under Florida Statute §162.09(1), code violation fines in Boca Raton can reach up to $1,000 per day for standard violations once the compliance deadline set by the Special Magistrate passes. For repeat violations — a violation of the same ordinance within five years of a prior finding — fines can reach up to $5,000 per day without a new hearing. Once recorded as a lien under §162.09(3), fines accrue interest at 12% per year and must be resolved before any sale or refinancing of the property.
Do I need a lawyer for a code violation hearing in Boca Raton?
You are not legally required to have an attorney at a Boca Raton code violation hearing, but representation significantly improves your outcome. An experienced code enforcement attorney knows the procedural defects that can result in dismissal, how to cross-examine the code enforcement officer effectively, and how to present mitigation arguments that resonate with the City of Boca Raton Special Magistrate. The Code Clinic offers flat-fee representation for Boca Raton code violation hearings — call (305) 396-1495 for a free review.
Facing a code violation in Boca Raton? Call The Code Clinic at (305) 396-1495 or visit thecodeclinicpa.com for a free review. Flat-fee defense. Attorney Ari Pregen handles your case personally.