Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Florida, Daytona Beach Chamber of Commerce

CODE ENFORCEMENT

CITY OF DAYTONA BEACH

BACKGROUND

At its Strategic Planning Workshop in January 2000, the Daytona Beach City Commission set code enforcement as its No. 3 priority for the coming year.

In 1997, the City Commission adopted specific guidelines regarding mandatory maintenance to enhance the overall atmosphere of businesses in our tourist district. The Chamber supported that plan and many businesses have improved their grounds with much more work still needed. This program is an example of a proactive attempt that was welcomed by the business community and an essential factor was the adoption of a cooperative, mutually beneficial approach to code enforcement.

Code enforcement is handled through the City’s Division of Licenses and Permits (within the Department of Development Services). It oversees matters related to

• zoning i.e. dorm living, excessive outside storage, illegal parking;

• signs which in addition to processing and inspecting, includes the identification and removal of illegal temporary signs

• citizen complaints related to junk vehicles, building maintenance problems, overgrown trashy lots;

• beachside mandatory maintenance district with emphasis on keeping properties up to code;

• demolition of vacant deteriorated structures;

ANALYSIS

Economic development relies on the appearance of our tourist corridor. To bring all facilities along in this area to a minimum appearance code, property maintenance is extremely vital to our tourist economy. Additional staff will be required to attain compliance within a rational timeframe. This will mean an additional 2-3 code enforcement officers with an estimated total cost ranging between $68,000 to $102,000. This will include property appearance enforcement for all redevelopment areas and major thoroughfares:

Atlantic Ave.

Beville Road

Clyde Morris Blvd.

Cypress St.

Dunn Ave.

Eleventh St.

Fairview Ave.

International Speedway Blvd.

Mason Ave.

Nova Road

Orange Ave.

Peninsula Dr. (south of Seabreeze Blvd)

Ridgewood Ave.

Seabreeze Blvd.

Silver Beach Blvd.

Williamson Blvd.

POSITION

The Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Chamber supports the implementation of measures to enhance code enforcement on a citywide basis. The Chamber also recommends broadened landscape standards that will improve the appearance of all properties. At the same time, yearly inspections regarding landscaping should be emphasized. The Chamber would like to encourage a “win-win” attitude regarding code enforcement officers (and staff) so that the public realizes that these regulations are to enhance everyone’s quality of life.

2/2000

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