Sergio Romero
Code Compliance Officer
(863) 968-5182
codeenforcement@auburndalefl.com
Jhoel Garcia
Code Compliance Officer
(863) 968-5182
codeenforcement@auburndalefl.com
The Auburndale City Commission has adopted City Codes (laws) specifically designed to address blight, nuisances, dangerous conditions, and to maintain a clean and attractive environment for all citizens in our community. The City of Auburndale accomplishes this mission by working in partnership with the residents of Auburndale.
The mission of the Code Compliance office is to promote and maintain a safe and desirable living and working environment. We help maintain and improve the quality of life in our community by administering a fair and unbiased enforcement program to correct violations of municipal codes and land use requirements. We also work with residents, neighborhood associations, public service agencies and other city departments to:
- Facilitate voluntary compliance with City laws and codes.
- Empower community self-help programs.
- Develop public outreach programs.
- Establish community priorities for enforcement programs.
Below are the most common city ordinances affecting our community. Please click on the tab to view. If you would like to view the complete Code of Ordinances click here
ANIMAL CONTROL
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) Animal Control Division is designated as the enforcement agency for animal control within the city limits of Auburndale in accordance with Polk County Ordinance 10-001 as subsequently amended. Please contact (863) 577-1762 to reach PCSO Animal Control.
JUNK, TRASH & DEBRIS
Chapter 11, Sec. 11-52. – Failure to remove weeds and trash; penalty.
Any person who shall fail or refuse to remove any accumulation of weeds, rubbish or other unsanitary accumulation from any premises owned or occupied by them in the city after notice has been served on them to do so, either personally or in writing, by the city manager for ten (10) days after receipt of such notice shall be punished as prescribed in section 1-11 of this Code.
HIGH GRASS AND WEEDS
Chapter 11, Sec. 11-51. – Nuisance.
On lots, parcels, or tracts of land not currently being used for agriculture purposes, any growth of weeds or grass to more than a height of one (1) foot, or any rank vegetable growth which exhales unpleasant and noxious odors, or which may conceal filthy deposits, or harbor insects or any offensive matter or thing, or the accumulation of any undergrowth, debris, trash, rubbish or other unsanitary accumulation which is likely to affect the health and safety of the community, be and the same is hereby declared to be a nuisance. Trees on these properties shall be pruned to maintain clear visibility in order to protect the health and safety of the community. See section 18.3.6 of the Land Development Regulations for applicable fire safety/spacing standards.
INOPERABLE OR UNLICENSED VEHICLE
Chapter 13, Sec. 13-17. – Removal, impoundment of vehicles.
Police officers are authorized to have a vehicle removed from a street, sidewalk, alleyway, or any public property to a public or private garage, or other place of safety, so designated by the city, under the circumstances hereinafter enumerated:
(1) When a vehicle upon a street is mechanically disabled and constitutes an obstruction to traffic, or the persons in charge of the vehicle are, by reason of physical injury, incapacitated to such an extent as to be unable to provide for its custody and removal and the vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic.
(2) When a vehicle is being driven upon the streets and is not in proper condition to be driven, as defined in F.S. 316.215.
(3) When any vehicle is left unattended upon a street, alleyway or public property and is parked illegally so as to constitute a definite hazard or obstruction to the normal movement of traffic.
(4) When removal is necessary due to the vehicle being parked illegally in an area which official traffic control signs designate as a towaway zone.
IMPROPER PARKING/STORAGE OF RV/BOAT/TRAILER
No recreational equipment shall be parked or stored on any lot in a residential district within a required front yard; provided, that such equipment may be parked anywhere on residential premises for not to exceed 48 hours during loading or unloading.
HOUSE NUMBERS
All owners, occupants or agents owning property within the City are hereby required to place or cause to be placed, the proper address numbers upon all structures requiring an address identification, as shall be designated by the City, at the owner’s, occupant’s or agent’s expense.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PARKING/STORAGE
The parking of tractor units (used for pulling trailers), tractor trailers, full trailers, straight, panel, dump trucks, buses and any vehicle rated greater than one ton by the manufacturer, except as provided otherwise herein, is not permitted in any residential district. Such vehicles may be parked on private property only in the course of making deliveries or pickups or in rendering services on the premises for the occupants.
ILLEGAL OR UNPERMITTED SIGN
Chapter 7, Sec. 7.4.1. – Permits and Fees
All signs except “For Sale” and “For Rent” normally associated with real estate, shall require a permit prior to placement. Such permits shall require a fee to be prescribed by the City Commission
NOISE ORDINANCE
Noise Ordinance
City Noise Control Ordinance Chapter 18, Sec. 18-40 – Sec. 18-54.
Sec. 18-40. – Title.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the City of Auburndale Noise Control Ordinance.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec. 18-41. – Scope.
This section shall be effective throughout the incorporated areas of the City of Auburndale, Polk County, Florida.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec. 18-42. – Definitions.
As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
- Noise disturbanceshall mean any sound which is:
(a) Of such duration, volume, or intensity as to be injurious to human or animal life, or property;
(b) Of such duration, volume, or intensity as to unreasonably interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life, property, or the conduct of business;
(c) Of such duration, volume, or intensity as to alarm, disturb, or annoy reasonable people; or
(d) Unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring, disturbing, unseemly, or a nuisance.
(2) Amplified shall mean increased in volume or intensity by means of an electrical or mechanical device.
(3) Motorized vehicle means any transportation vehicle that is propelled, other than by human or animal power, on land. This includes, but is not limited to, motorcycles, ATVs, go-karts, automobiles, and trucks.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec. 18-43. – Prohibition of noise disturbance.
No person or business may make, continue, permit, or cause to be made or continued, any noise disturbance as defined in this section.
Factors that shall be considered in determining whether a noise disturbance in violation of this section has occurred, shall consist of, but may not necessarily be limited to, the following:
(a) The duration, volume, or intensity of the noise;
(b) The nature of the area and the land use district from which the sound emanates in relation to the area where it is perceived;
(c) The time of day or night the noise occurs; and/or
(d) Whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent, or constant.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec. 18-44. – Enforcement.
Any person authorized as a code enforcement officer of the city may enforce the provisions of this section. When enforced by a code enforcement officer, the enforcement provisions and procedures contained in the city code enforcement special master (chapter 18, article II), as may be amended, are incorporated herein by reference and will apply. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the city from taking such other lawful action in law and equity as may be necessary to remedy any violation of any part of this section, including without limitations:
- Pursuit of injunctive and/or declaratory relief in a court of competent jurisdiction; and
- Utilizing any other action or enforcement method permitted by law.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec. 18-45. – Specific prohibitions.
The following specified acts and circumstances are hereby declared to constitute a prohibited noise disturbance in violation of this section; provided however, such enumeration is not and shall not be deemed to be exclusive; provided further that all other acts and circumstances meeting the definition of noise disturbance are likewise declared to be in violation of this section.
(a) Radios, televisions, musical instruments and similar devices, and amplified human voice. Playing or permitting the playing of any radio, television, audio system, musical instrument or similar device, or amplifying the human voice, sound or music, to such a volume as to be unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring, unseemly or disturbing to people within the area of audibility.
(b) Barking dogs. Allowing a dog to bark, howl, or whine continuously until such noise rises to the level of a noise disturbance under section 18-42 of this article. The police department may defer enforcement against the owner of the animal to animal control in accordance with the Polk County Animal Control and Animal Services Ordinance, and its amendments, if the law enforcement officer is unable to personally observe the noise disturbance being created by the dog.
(c) Motorized vehicles. It is a violation of this section to operate a motorized vehicle in a manner that causes, on public or private property, a noise disturbance.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec. 18-46. – Exemptions.
The provisions of sections 18-40 through 18-45, except for those specific prohibitions set forth in section 18-45 of this section, shall not apply to the following sounds:
(a) The unamplified human voice;
(b) Railway locomotives or cars;
(c) Aircraft and airport activity conducted in accordance with federal laws and regulations;
(d) Maintenance of public service facilities;
(e) Law enforcement activities, including training;
(f) Licensed game hunting activities;
(g) Emergency signals during emergencies;
(h) Emergency testing;
(i) Refuse collection and mosquito fogging;
(j) Operation of any regulated or publicly owned utility;
(k) Construction activities within any residential zoning districts exempt from, or for which the city has issued a development permit; provided such activity occurs between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.;
(l) Sounds relating to and originating within any nonresidential zoning districts (except for those sounds specifically prohibited in section 18-45 of this article);
(m) Organized athletic contests provided such activity occurs between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight;
(n) Boats and boating activity;
(o) Emergency devices and vehicles used for the purpose of alerting people of an emergency, or the emission of sound in performance of emergency work;
(p) Lawful public gatherings provided such activity occurs between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. (except for those sounds specifically prohibited in section 18-45 of this article); and
(q) Reasonable operation of equipment associated with the following activities between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; Lawn care, soil cultivation, maintenance of trees, hedges, and gardens; use of lawnmowers, saws, and tractors; tree trimming; and limb clipping.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec 18-47. – Reserved.
Sec. 18-48. – Separate violations.
Each separate occurrence shall be a separate violation.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec. 18-49. – Reserved.
Sec. 18-50. – Liberal, non-conflicting construction.
The provisions of this section shall be liberally construed such that its purpose is effectively rendered in the interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens and residents of the city.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec. 18-51. – Codification.
This chapter shall be published in the City of Auburndale Code of Ordinances.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec. 18-52. – Severability of provisions.
If any of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can give effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, provisions of the ordinance are declared severable.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec. 18-53. – Conflicts with other ordinances.
That portion of any chapter which may be in conflict with this ordinance is hereby repealed with the adoption of this chapter.
(Ord. No. 1467, 7-20-15)
Sec. 18-54. – Effective date.
The provisions of this chapter shall become effective immediately upon final passage.
