New Permit
Inspection
Certificate of Use
Abandoned/Vacant Real Property
Services provided for unincorporated Broward County and municipalities serviced by Broward County through an Inter-Local Agreement.
The Zoning Section of the Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division interprets, regulates and enforces the Broward County Zoning Code for Permit requirements affecting the use of land, structures and the environment.
Certified by the Florida Association of Code Enforcement, Broward County’s Senior Code Enforcement Officers, Zoning Plans Examiners, Senior Zoning Plans Examiners and Zoning Official are experienced in providing several types of zoning services for residential and commercial uses pursuant to Chapter 39 of the Broward County Zoning Code; such as:
- Permitted Uses
- Setbacks
- Parking requirements
- Landscape requirements
- Outdoor lighting
- Signage
- Special uses
- Certificates of Use
- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design standards (CPTED)
The Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division reviews submitted site plans for commercial buildings and for residences to certify the plans conform to all Zoning requirements.
The Division conducts Zoning Code inspections of all commercial and residential projects including permitted Special Events and Wayside Stands. The Division also provides the enforcement component for the various enacted Central County Neighborhood Enhancement Plans.
For more information regarding Zoning Code Enforcement and property maintenance standards or to schedule a subject matter speaker to appear before your community or neighborhood association, please call 954-765-4400 and select Option 5.
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New Permit
In unincorporated Broward County and in municipalities under contractual agreement with Broward County, the Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division helps protect and maintain community and neighborhood standards by issuing Zoning permits as part of a building permit for the following:
Landscaping, Commercial and Residential
Signage
• Monument Signs
• Wall Signs
• Grand opening (temporary) signs
Sign Landscape Checklist/Application (PDF)
Special /Outdoor Event
If you are planning a Special Event/Outdoor Event in one of the following locations, you must obtain permits and/or approvals from several government agencies before submitting a permit application to the Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division.
Unincorporated Broward County
Brian Piccolo Park
Quiet Waters Park
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
- Carnival
- Concert
- Festival
For more information and application click here
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Inspection
Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection conducts the Zoning Code inspections of all commercial and residential projects including permitted Special Events and Wayside Stands. Our agency Inspectors also perform inspections regarding Code Enforcement complaints and activities.
Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division Inspectors and Code Enforcement Officers are all certified by the Florida Association of Code Enforcement.
Certificate of Use
Any new tenant or change of occupancy in a commercial or industrial property as well as any permitted residential facility must obtain a Certificate of Use to certify that the use is permitted and is not in violation of any requirements in the Florida Building Code, Broward County Zoning Code, and the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Residential Home Certificates of Use are permitted if the office is not more than 10 percent of the dwelling unit, no merchandise is stored and the office has no customers or other employees.
Application for Certificate of Use (PDF)
Abandoned/Vacant Real Property
Abandoned/Vacant Real Property Registration and Certification Ordinance
In response to recent events in the housing market which have led to a drastic rise in the number of foreclosed homes located within the unincorporated areas of Broward County, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance 2009-80, The Abandoned/Vacant Real Property Registration and Certification Program on December 8, 2009. This ordinance serves to protect the unincorporated residential neighborhoods from becoming blighted through the lack of adequate maintenance and security of abandoned and vacant properties.
The Abandoned/Vacant Real Property Registration and Certification Program require mortgage lenders to inspect defaulted, residential properties to confirm that they are occupied. If a property is found to be vacant, the program requires that the lender exercise the abandonment clause within their mortgage contract, register the property with the County, along with the $150.00 registration fee within 10 days and immediately begin to secure and maintain the property to program standards. Failure to properly register required properties may subject the mortgagee to the minimum civil penalty of $250.00 for the first offense. Subsequent violation may be subject to a minimum penalty of $500.00. Additional citations may be issued for failure to maintain and secure abandoned and vacant properties.
The inspections and certification portion of this program offers some protection for purchasers of foreclosed residential properties in the unincorporated areas of Broward County by requiring all title holders of these properties which are acquired through a Certificate of Title (Foreclosures and Judgments), in accordance with Chapter 45, Florida Statutes or under a deed in lieu of foreclosure/sale to obtain a Certificate of Foreclosure Inspection prior to offering the property for sale, transfer, or other alienation. This requirement allows for the performance of a cursory visual inspection of the property and an inspection report by a code enforcement officer to provide a disclosure of any non-compliance with property maintenance codes, outstanding County liens and/or special assessments encumbering the property, and to identify any outstanding building permits.
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