TITLE AND SCOPE

Jacksonville Ordinance Code tit. XIV, ch. 518, pt. 1, subpt. A

in effect

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 518.101 Title.

Sec. 518.101. - Title. The provisions embraced within the Parts, Subparts and Sections of this Chapter shall constitute, be known and be cited as the Jacksonville Property Safety and Maintenance Code. (Ord. 96-458-297, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 518.102 Legislative intent and findings.

Sec. 518.102. - Legislative intent and findings. (a) The City finds and declares that there is a need to consolidate all existing Municipal Code provisions related to property safety and maintenance into one Chapter of the Ordinance Code; to assign the responsibility for the enforcement of the safety and maintenance provisions of this Chapter to the Municipal Code Compliance Division of the Neighborhoods Department; and to assign the functions of settlement, collection and inventorying of special assessment liens to the Finance and Administration Department and the Real Estate Division of the City's Public Works Department. There is also a need to create a uniform enforcement system for the violation of this Chapter of the Ordinance Code and to provide for minimum safety and maintenance standards for all commercial and residential properties within the City of Jacksonville. (b) The City finds and declares public nuisances those conditions that endanger the public health and welfare or safety of the community; and it is within its police powers to declare any condition that endangers the general health, welfare and safety of the inhabitants a public nuisance, and the City is empowered to prevent, abate, and remove nuisances, to include not only the abating of an unsafe and unsanitary condition, but also the destruction and removal of any unsafe structure. The City further finds and declares that the abatement of the public nuisances provides a special benefit to the property in the form of added use and enjoyment which further enhances the value of the property. Therefore the debt associated with the City's action is a special assessment. (c) There is a need to create a mechanism to bring most abandoned properties into productivity. Abandoned properties constitute a burden on City's resources and a waste of valuable City's assets. The City has concluded that the rehabilitation of abandoned or neglected properties is an important City objective. (Ord. 96-458-297, § 1; Ord. 2006-1363-E, § 1; Ord. 2011-732-E; Ord. 2013-209-E, § 40; Ord. 2016-140-E, § 16)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 518.103 Applicability.

Sec. 518.103. - Applicability. (a) This Chapter shall apply to every building and portion thereof, and appurtenance thereto, and the premises on which it is situated, used or intended to be used, whether for commercial, business, institutional, industrial, multifamily or residential. (b) This Chapter will also apply to any improved or unimproved lot or tract of land, notwithstanding its use, located within the City of Jacksonville. (c) Every portion of a building and premises thereof shall conform to the requirements of the specific Part of this Chapter irrespective of the primary use of the building and irrespective of when the building may have been constructed, altered or repaired. (d) This Chapter establishes certain minimum standards for the initial and continued occupancy, use and maintenance of all commercial, business, institutional, industrial, multifamily and single family residential buildings and structures and does not replace or modify standards otherwise established for the construction, repair, alteration or use of such buildings and structures, the premises, or the equipment or facilities maintained in the buildings or structures or on the premises. Where a provision of this Chapter is found to be in conflict with another applicable code or regulation, the provision that establishes the higher standard, as determined by the Chief, or the Building Codes Adjustment Board, shall prevail. (e) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Chapter, if a structure sought to be regulated is a landmark or contributing structure located in a historic district, such regulatory efforts shall be tailored to have the least intensive impact on the structure while still furthering the intent of this Chapter. (Ord. 96-458-297, § 1; Ord. 2011-408-E, § 3)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 518.104 Saving clause.

Sec. 518.104. - Saving clause. This Code shall not affect violations of any other ordinance, code or regulation of the City existing prior to its adoption. The violations shall continue to be punishable to the full extent of the law under the provisions of those ordinances, codes or regulations in effect at the time the violation was committed. (Ord. 96-458-297, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 518.105 Authority to interpret; and to make, alter and repeal rules.

Sec. 518.105. - Authority to interpret; and to make, alter and repeal rules. The Chief is authorized to interpret this Chapter and to make, alter and repeal rules in conformity to this Chapter he deems necessary to implement the requirements hereof, subject to the appeal process specified herein. All rules and interpretations shall be in writing and kept on file in the Chief's office. (Ord. 96-458-297, § 1)

Source: City of Jacksonville, Ordinance Code and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXIVHOCODE_CH518JAPRSAMACO_PT1GEPR_SPATISCFetched: 10/27/2026