Quick AnswerThe Code Clinic, PLLC provides flat-fee code violation defense for property owners, landlords, and businesses in Hollywood, Florida. Attorney Ari Pregen defends clients before the City of Hollywood 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.
Hollywood code enforcement carries an exposure most property owners never see coming, and it is not the daily fine. It is where the lien attaches.
In Hollywood, the lien is not limited to the cited property
Under the City’s codified enforcement provisions, once an enforcement order is recorded it “shall constitute a lien against the property upon which the violation was found to exist, and upon any other real or personal property owned by the violator.” That is a materially different risk from a lien confined to the parcel that was cited — it reaches other holdings, which matters especially if you own more than one property in Broward.
Fines also run on their own momentum: a fine “shall continue to accrue until the violator comes into compliance or until judgment is rendered in a suit to foreclose the lien, whichever occurs first.”
Two different clocks, and missing either one is fatal
Hollywood runs a citation track alongside the Special Magistrate track, and they carry different deadlines. A citation issued under the alternative enforcement procedure must be appealed no later than ten calendar days after service. An appeal from a Special Magistrate enforcement order runs on a different clock — thirty days from rendition of the order. Owners who assume they have thirty days on a citation lose the appeal before they call anyone.
Procedural details on this page are drawn from the Hollywood Code of Ordinances § 36.29 — Enforcement Orders; Fines and Other Remedies; Right of Appeal. Municipal procedures change — confirm current requirements before relying on them, or call us and we will confirm them for your matter.
How Hollywood code enforcement works
The City of Hollywood Code Compliance Department enforces the City of Hollywood'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 Hollywood Special Magistrate.
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 Hollywood and surrounding communities
The Code Clinic serves property owners throughout Hollywood and neighboring communities including Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach, and Pembroke Pines. Whether your property is subject to Hollywood's municipal code enforcement or falls under Broward 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. Clients also come to us from Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Pembroke Pines and Aventura nearby, and from every corner of Broward County — see all the communities we cover.
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 Hollywood code violation hearing — no hourly billing, no surprise invoices. Before you appear before the City of Hollywood 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 Hollywood, Florida?
The City of Hollywood Code Compliance Department handles code enforcement for the City of Hollywood, 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 Hollywood 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 Hollywood, FL?
Under Florida Statute §162.09(1), code violation fines in Hollywood 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 Hollywood?
You are not legally required to have an attorney at a Hollywood 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 Hollywood Special Magistrate. The Code Clinic offers flat-fee representation for Hollywood code violation hearings — call (305) 396-1495 for a free review.
Facing a code violation in Hollywood? 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.