Code Enforcement

City of Pensacola - Up to Code

As we age, we try to take steps to maintain and improve our health. The neighborhoods within the City of Pensacola also require maintenance to stay in good health as they age. Neighborhoods that are not maintained not only deteriorate but also cost residents more money. Property values fall, vandalism and crime occur more frequently and neighborhoods become unattractive.

There is a simple solution to maintaining good neighborhoods, individual property owner responsibility. Unfortunately, some people are not responsible property owners. That is why residents band together to ask government to create minimum standards for housing, yards, parking, etc. These standards are set in place to protect property owners and tenants who might otherwise suffer from substandard conditions.

This handout has been developed to assist citizens in recognizing some of the City of Pensacola’s Ordinances that are in place to protect property owners from substandard conditions. This information is designed to inform you of some common code violations so that you may evaluate your own property or surrounding neighborhood. If you have a question or need assistance with any possible violations that you may find, please call the CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE at (850) 436-5500. You may remain anonymous.

Common Code Violations

Care of Premises

A property owner or occupant cannot openly store appliances, building material, rubbish or similar items about their property. This not only detracts from the appearance of the property but also is a nuisance for the surrounding property owners.

No Sanitation Service

Residents within the City of Pensacola must have an active sanitation service account. Individuals who do not have active sanitation service generally accumulate the waste they generate on their property until they can dispose of it somehow, many times in an illegal manner.

Inoperable Vehicle

An owner or occupant of a property cannot store an inoperable vehicle on the property other than in an enclosed structure. A vehicle is considered inoperable if it does not have a current tag or registration, has flat tires, no engine, severe damage or other conditions that prohibits the vehicle from being driven legally on a public street.

Overgrown Vacant Lot

A person who owns a parcel of property within the City of Pensacola cannot allow the vegetation to grow to more than (12) twelve inches in length. The owner is also required to keep the property free of litter and debris and maintain the right of way.

Recreational Vehicle Storage

The owner of a recreational vehicle such as a motor home, boat or jet ski can only park the vehicle in the street for a period not to exceed 24 hours. The vehicle must be kept on an individual’s property parked in the driveway, the front yard perpendicular to the front line or in the rear yard.

Illegal Dumping

Individual may not dispose of any material other than by legal means such as disposal at a licensed landfill or by having an active sanitation service account. Penalties for illegal dumping can range from a non-criminal infraction to a felony.

Overgrown Premises

A person who owns a parcel of property within the City of Pensacola cannot allow the vegetation to grow to more than (12) twelve inches in length. The owner is also required to keep the property free of litter and debris and maintain the right of way.

Abandoned Vehicle

An individual cannot park an abandoned vehicle on the street or right of way. An abandoned vehicle is any vehicle that does not have a current tag or registration, flat tires, no engine, severe damage or other conditions that prohibits the vehicle from being legally driven on a public street.

Placement of Debris

A person can only place material such as yard trash to be removed by Sanitation Services on the right of way in front of their own property. The placement of debris in the street is a violation as it can block traffic, is harmful to storm drainage and allows debris to be much more easily scattered.