The vision of the Division is to be a department recognized as dedicated to excellence and innovation, as experts in our profession who continuously strive to improve our services and ourselves.
Code Enforcement is responsible for: Chapter 5 Animals as Public Nuisance and Keeping Certain Animals, Chapter 13 International Property Maintenance Code, Chapter 16 Nuisance Abatement (Dangerous Buildings and Hazardous Lands), Chapter 26 Abandoned/Dangerous Vehicles, and Chapter 30 Land Development Code.
Our goal is to achieve voluntary compliance of any violations through information, education, and assistance. If voluntary compliance is not achievable, then enforcement through fines and liens is pursued. Violations are handled via Notice of Violation or Civil Citation. Notice of Violations cases are heard by the Special Magistrate, Civil Citations are heard in County Court. When either process is utilized, the violator must be given a reasonable time to correct the issue and a prescribed corrective action to achieve compliance. If compliance is not achieved and a Civil Citation is issued, the violator can request a hearing in County court to dispute whether a violation exists. If there is a finding of guilt, the violator faces a one-time fine for the violation as specified in Chapter 2-339 of the City of Gainesville Code of Ordinances. If the violation is still not corrected, the violator may be issued additional Civil Citations until the violation is corrected, and compliance is achieved.
If a Notice of Violation is issued and compliance is not achieved, a hearing is scheduled with the Special Magistrate. In Accordance with FSS 162, the Magistrate will conduct a quasi-judicial hearing; hear a presentation from Code Enforcement staff regarding the violation and take evidence, hear testimony from the violator and accept any evidence presented as a defense, and render a verdict of guilt or innocence as to whether the violation exists and/or compliance being achieved. If a guilty verdict is rendered, administrative costs are assessed, additional time is given to achieve compliance, and a daily fine is assessed if compliance is not achieved after the additional time has elapsed. The fines will run until compliance is achieved and the administrative costs are paid. If the violator wishes to dispute the daily fine or compliance being achieved, they may file an appeal within 15 days of the order being signed, to be heard at the next Special Magistrate Hearing. Any accumulated fines and assessed costs will be attached to the property as a lien.
Candidate Signs
The following sign regulations are contained in the City Code of Ordinances:
Residential Districts:
Section 30-9.5 (a) of the Code of Ordinances allows temporary signs on residential zoned properties as follows:
- No electrical parts or usage unless ULI listed
- Signs cannot exceed 6 square feet.
- Maximum height is 4 feet on single family properties, 8 feet for multi-family properties which includes apartment complexes.
- Multi-family properties can have a maximum number of 6 signs per property total including their own.
- Setback must be 10 feet from side property lines
Non-residential Districts:
Section 30-9.5(a) of the Code of Ordinances allows temporary signs on non-residential zoned properties as follows:
- Signs cannot exceed 32 square feet with a maximum height of 8 feet.
- Setback must be 10 feet from side property lines
- The maximum number of signs is 4 per property including their own
Non-residential Districts:
Section 30-9.5(a) of the Code of Ordinances allows temporary signs on non-residential zoned
properties as follows:
- Signs cannot exceed 32 square feet with a maximum height of 8 feet.
- Setback must be 10 feet from side property lines
- The maximum number of signs is 4 per property including their own
Public Right of Way:
No sign is permitted on any public right-of-way per Section 30-9.4(a) (3) of the Code of Ordinances. Such signs are subject to removal and disposal by the City of Gainesville without notice or compensation. Parties responsible for the placement of these signs are subject to Civil Citations.
Public right-of-way generally includes medians, roundabouts, and the land adjacent to streets that include public infrastructure (utility poles, water meters, traffic signal boxes, utility boxes, sidewalks, etc.).
Vision Triangle Obstructions:
Signage should be posted on private property, away from intersections so as to not impede the view of oncoming traffic.
Removal of Signs:
The City of Gainesville requires removal of signs in no more than 10 calendar days after the election.