Code Compliance

Responsibilities

The department promotes, protects, and improves the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Monroe County and the environment by providing equitable, expeditious, and effective enforcement of all County Codes while establishing a working partnership with Monroe County neighborhoods.

Regulation

To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the property owner, future occupants, and the general public, Florida statutes and local ordinances require that permits be obtained prior to erecting, altering, constructing, or installing buildings, structures, or service systems. In addition, the law requires that construction be inspected at specified phases by qualified personnel to ensure compliance with applicable building and zoning regulations.

Resources

The following resources are provided to help clarify the permit and inspection process required for improvements made to your property:

• Code Violation Permitting Process

Anonymous Complaints Cannot Be Accepted

The department can no longer investigate anonymous code compliance violation reports due to Senate Bill 60, passed by the Florida Legislature. The bill changed existing state law to prohibit the investigation of anonymous reports of potential violations of municipal property codes, effective July 1, 2021.

The person reporting the issue is now required to supply their name and address, and this information will become part of the public record. This applies to submissions made by phone, email, online, or in-person to the Code Compliance Department. 

This does not apply if the person designated as a code inspector has reason to believe that the violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare, or to the imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources.

Vacation Rental Program

A special vacation rental is a dwelling unit rented, leased, or assigned for tenancies of less than 28 days. 

• Special Vacation Rental Program

To report an illegal vacation or rental property, call the Monroe County Tax Collector’s Transient Rental Fraud Hotline at 1-855-422-4540, and if in unincorporated Monroe County, file a complaint with Code Compliance below. 

File a Code Compliance Complaint

• Online: Code Compliance Complaint Form
• By phone:
  • Middle Keys: 305-289-2810
  • Lower Keys: 305-289-2810
  • Upper Keys: 305-453-8806

Noise or Disturbance Issues 

Contact the Sheriff’s Office:

• Upper Keys: 305-853-3211
• Middle Keys: 305-289-2430
• Lower Keys: 305-745-3184

Special Magistrate

All code cases in Monroe County are heard by a Special Magistrate. The Special Magistrate has the authority to subpoena witnesses and records, order rulings on violations, assess fines, and order liens to be placed upon the property. 

Property owners cited for code violations are given a reasonable time to bring their property into compliance before the case is referred to the Special Magistrate. 

• Special Magistrate