Quick AnswerThe City of Fort Lauderdale is running a new code lien amnesty program from October 1, 2026 into September 2027. Eligible residential properties can get 50% off a code enforcement lien, and eligible non-residential properties 25%. Nuisance, repeat, noise, vacation rental, and irreparable or irreversible violations qualify for only 10%. The liened property and every other Fort Lauderdale property you own must be in full compliance, the application fee is $175 and non-refundable, and you have 90 days from approval to pay.
Fort Lauderdale has a new lien amnesty program. If you own property in the city with an old code lien on it, this is worth a close look, and it is also worth thinking through before you apply. A 50% cut sounds good. Whether it is the best option for your lien depends on your facts.
Everything below comes from the City’s Lien Amnesty Program page and the City’s October 8, 2026 announcement. Programs like this change, so confirm the details with the City before you rely on them.
The dates
The program page says it is effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The City’s October 8 announcement says the program runs through September 20, 2027. If you are applying near the end, do not wait for the last week. Confirm the deadline with the City first.
How much the program takes off
- Residential properties: 50% reduction.
- Non-residential properties: 25% reduction.
- Nuisance, repeat, noise, vacation rental, and irreparable or irreversible violations: 10% reduction.
The 10% tier covers some of the most common violations we see, including vacation rental and repeat violations.
Who qualifies
- Full compliance, everywhere you own in the city. The liened property and any other City of Fort Lauderdale property with the same owner must be in full compliance: no fines owed and no current violations, whether cited or not.
- Photos. The application needs date-stamped photos, no older than 30 days, of the front, rear, both sides and the street view. Owners of more than one property must email front photos of each additional property to the City.
- Authority to apply. If someone other than the owner applies, the City requires a notarized power of attorney from the owner.
The “whether cited or not” language deserves attention. You are not just certifying that you have no open cases. You are sending the City photos of every property you own in Fort Lauderdale. Before you apply, make sure each one is actually in compliance.
What the program does not reduce
Only eligible code enforcement fines and liens are reduced. The program page lists administrative fees, hard costs, legal expenses, demolition costs, utility liens, recording fees and other direct City costs as ineligible. Those are paid in full on top of the reduced lien.
Cost and timing
- A non-refundable $175 fee is due when you submit the application.
- All fees and costs tied to the violation must be paid within 90 days of the approval date.
Line up the money before you apply. The fee is not refunded if the application does not work out.
Not sure amnesty is your best option?
Send us the lien or payoff letter. We review it free and tell you how amnesty compares with your other options. Flat fee.
How to apply
The program page points applicants to the City’s LauderBuild portal and offers an option to schedule an appointment. For questions, the program page lists (954) 828-5332 and LienAmnesty@fortlauderdale.gov.
Extra relief from the City Manager
The program page says the City Manager may grant relief beyond the standard reductions in two situations: when the reduced lien amount is more than the assessed value of the property, or when the applicant shows verifiable financial hardship. If either applies to you, it should be part of the application.
Is amnesty the right move for your lien?
Sometimes yes. It is a fixed, predictable discount, and for a straightforward residential lien it may be the simplest path. But it is not the only way to reduce a code lien in Fort Lauderdale, and a fixed 50%, 25% or 10% is not always the best result available.
Chapter 162, Florida Statutes, allows a code fine to be reduced (§162.09(2)(c)) and a recorded lien to be released by the local government (§162.09(3)). Outside the amnesty program, a reduction request is not a fixed percentage. In practice it usually turns on the facts: how serious the violation was, what the owner did to fix it and how quickly, and any prior violations. Depending on those facts, a regular reduction request may come out differently than a flat amnesty discount. Results depend on the facts of each case.
Before you pay the $175 fee, it is worth comparing the two. That is the review we do for Fort Lauderdale owners. Read more about how code fine reductions work and Fort Lauderdale repeat violation fines.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Fort Lauderdale lien amnesty program end?
The City’s program page says the program is effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The City’s October 8, 2026 announcement says September 20, 2027. Confirm the deadline with the City before relying on either date.
How much can Fort Lauderdale reduce my code lien under amnesty?
Eligible residential properties can receive a 50% reduction and eligible non-residential properties a 25% reduction. Nuisance, repeat, noise, vacation rental, and irreparable or irreversible violations qualify for a 10% reduction. Administrative fees, hard costs, legal expenses, demolition costs, utility liens, recording fees and other direct City costs are not reduced.
Can I apply if I own another Fort Lauderdale property with a violation?
Not until it is resolved. The liened property and any other City of Fort Lauderdale property with the same owner must be in full compliance, with no fines owed and no current violations, whether cited or not.
Is amnesty better than a regular lien reduction?
It depends on the facts. Amnesty gives a fixed percentage. A regular reduction request is not a fixed percentage. It usually turns on how serious the violation was, what was done to fix it and any prior violations, so the result can differ. Compare both before paying the non-refundable application fee.
Own Fort Lauderdale property with a code lien? Call The Code Clinic at (305) 396-1495. Attorney Ari Pregen will review the lien and tell you whether amnesty or another route makes more sense. Flat fee. No hourly billing.
This article summarizes the City of Fort Lauderdale’s published program terms as of October 27, 2026. It is general information, not legal advice about your situation, and the City may change the program. Confirm current terms with the City before applying.