Our Mission IS Compliance.  We seek to promote and protect the health, safety, welfare, and quality of life for the City of Miami residents, businesses, and tourists; and we seek to enforce our city codes in a consistent and equitable manner.

Our vision is:

• To maintain our neighborhoods and community's quality of life.
• To enforce all city ordinances in a timely and equitable manner; and
• To serve the public professionally, with integrity and respect.

The Department of Code Compliance is responsible for addressing and responding to all code violations in a timely manner, and must adhere to due process as reflected in Chapter 162 of the Florida Statutes. We also strive to educate our residents and seek  compliance with more than 350+ civil infractions. Some of the most common code violations include:

• Failure to maintain a lot in a safe clean condition
• Outside storage
• Graffiti on property (Call 311 to report Graffiti)
• Failure to maintain the exterior of a commercial or residential property 
• Parking or storage of inoperable or untagged vehicles (Report an Abandoned Vehicle)
• Work performed without a finalized permit (Report Construction Work Without Permit)
• Illegally parking a commercial vehicle in a residential zone
• Failure to obtain a Certificate of Use or Business Tax Receipt for the type of business conducted
• Illegal dumping (Report Illegal Dumping)
• Improper stationing of a recreational watercraft
• Erection, construction, posting, etc. of a sign without a finalized permit 
• Parking on unimproved surfaces
• Failure to register a vacant structure, illegal units, vacant, blighted, unsecured or abandoned structure, among many others. (Report an Abandoned Property or Register Vacant or Abandoned Structure
• Conducting short-term vacation rentals (for less than 30 days and 1 day) in single-family zoning district

Our inspectors are divided into four geographic sectors (North, Central, Southwest, Southeast) that encompass 40 distinct Code Compliance zones of roughly 1.5 miles each. In addition to the geographically based inspectors, we have a team of After-Hours inspectors who respond to complaints Citywide. We also have a Business Tax Receipt Compliance Unit (BTRCU) responsible for ensuring compliance with local business licensing (Certificates of Use and Business Tax Receipts) Citywide.

Code support staff responds to calls and visits from the public. Clerical staff sends all correspondence to residents via Certified Mail and accept applications for Business Tax Receipts.

Code Compliance Inspectors may issue a Notice of Violation (NOV) if a property is found to be in violation of one of the civil infractions for which our team is responsible. NOVs require both due process and reasonable time for compliance. NOVs may be adjudicated by an independent, quasi-judicial body. A resident may pay or appeal a civil citation through the ticket appeals process. If a resident does not bring their property into compliance, when cited for an NOV, a hearing is held before the Code Enforcement Board, an independent Board comprised of volunteers appointed by the Commission.  If adjudication is upheld, a per diem fine and subsequent lien may be assessed against the property. Once a lien is assessed it can only be removed by complying the violation and payment of the lien.  A property owner can request to appear before the Code Enforcement Board to seek mitigation of the lien, based on the parameters reflected in section 2-817 of the City of Miami Code.

VIEW STAFF CONTACT LIST

Director Robert Santos-Alborná

Mr. Santos-Alborná is a dynamic and achievement-focused professional with three decades of experience in the public sector; 28 years of which have been dedicated within the Code Compliance / Code Enforcement field.  This includes 23 years in Miami-Dade County where he worked in various capacities, including Team Metro Regional Director and Deputy Director at Animal Services. The last two designations required working directly with the public, industry, media, and elected officials on a day-to-day basis.  In 2010, Robert transitioned to the City of Miami Beach where he worked as Code Compliance Director for nearly six (6) years; and from 2016 to July 2021, Robert worked as Code Enforcement Director and Code Official for Palm Beach County where he was instrumental in the re-write of Policies and Procedures, development of metrics and performance measures, zoning, sanitation, nuisance, and environmental regulations.  Through multiple jurisdictions, Robert has worked to effectively change departmental culture and increasing responsiveness and accountability, while improving efficiencies.

Robert holds a Master of Economics from Florida International University (FIU), Bachelors in International Relations and Economics, and an Executive Certificate from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. He also has certifications in levels I, II, III, IV and the Code Enforcement Professional (CEP) designation from the Florida Association of Code Enforcement (FACE).

Contact: (305) 416 – 2089, Email: Rsantos-alborna@miamigov.com

Trelana Haines, MPA -Assistant Director

Trelana Haines grew up in Miami and earned a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Barry University. Supervisor Haines began her career in the city in 2007 as an Occupational License Inspector. Prior to joining the Code Compliance Department in 2015, she served in Finance, Planning, Special Events, Film & Entertainment, Parks, and the Fire Department in various roles. Ms. Haines joined the Code Compliance team in 2015 as an inspector and was promoted to Supervisor for our After-Hours team in July 2019 where she was responsible for  overseeing a team of four After-Hours Inspectors who respond to complaints Citywide until 1 O pm Monday-Thursday, 24 hours a day on Friday and Saturday. Later moving on to supervise the North and Southwest Districts. Ms. Haines served as interim assistant director before being promoted to the position of assistant director. 

Contact: (786) 696-0358, Email: THaines@miamigov.com

Betsy Del Val - Assistant to the Director of Code Compliance

Betsy Del Val grew up in Miami. Ms. Del Val is a graduate of Miami Dade College and FEMA Emergency Management Institute. She holds a degree in Public Administration, Supervision and Management. Ms. Del Val began her work in the city as an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Fire-Rescue, Division of Emergency Management from 2011 through 2019. Ms. Del Val was then promoted in 2019 to Assistant to the Director of Code Compliance.

Contact: (305) 416-2082, Email: Bdelval@miamigov.com

Lazaro-Daniel Orta - Coordinator

Lazaro-Daniel Orta was born and raised in the City of Miami and has worked for the Department of Code Compliance for over 20 years. Mr. Orta began his career in Code as an inspector in 2000. In 2012 he was promoted to Field Supervisor and served in that role until 2018. He then served in the role of Chief for approximately 10 months.  In December of 2018 He was promoted to Assistant Director and held that position until 2020.  He is now serving the City and the Department in the role of Coordinator.

Contact: (305) 329-4770, Email: LOrta@miamigov.com

Anna McKnight - Administrative Assistant III

Anna McKnight is a native Floridian and grew up in Miami.  She is an administrative professional who joined the City of Miami in 2003. She began her career with the Department of Community Development as a Contract Analyst and has also served in the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Solid Waste. In addition to managing other administrative responsibilities, she is the Public Records Custodian for the Department of Code Compliance.  Ms. McKnight is a graduate of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, holds several degrees including a Master’s in Business Administration from Barry University and is FACE I certified. Prior to serving in the city, Ms. McKnight worked in the private sector in various Management roles.

Contact: (786) 696-7600, Email: AMcKnight@miamigov.com

Gina Marquez - Field Supervisor – Southeast District

Supervisor Gina Marquez was born and raised in New York where she began her career in government working for the City of New York for about 10 years.  In her capacity in that role, she created and implemented revised hearing processes to facilitate and conduct various hearing types. She moved to Ocala, Florida in 2016 where she worked as a teacher for the Marion County School District. She joined the City of Miami in 2017 with the Solid Waste Department.  She was promoted to the position of Code Compliance Inspector in 2018.  While in that role she assisted in many special projects most notably the design and implementation of Code Check, the Departments tracking system.  She was promoted to Field Supervisor in 2022 and oversees the Department’s Southeast office. Supervisor Marquez also has certifications in Stormwater & Erosion Control, FEMA and FACE Levels I, II & III.   Supervisor Marquez has a Bachelor’s degree in Courts Administration and a minor in law.   

Contact: (786) 696-0253, Email: Gimarquez@miamigov.com

Ricardo Franqui, MPA - Field Supervisor – Business Tax Receipt Compliance Unit (BTRCU)

Ricardo Franqui is a Miami native, and has a Master's Degree in public administration from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor's Degree in public administration from Florida International University. Mr. Franqui started working for the Department of Code Compliance as an Inspectors Aide in 2004. Mr. Franqui was promoted to Inspector in 2005. Then, in July 2021, he was promoted to After-Hours Supervisor, where he overseaw the After-Hours Inspectors. Mr. Franqui is currently the Field Supervisor for the Business Tax Receipt Compliance Unit (aka: BTRCU). As Supervisor of this Unit Mr. Franqui is responsible for ensuring financial compliance with the City’s business licensing requirements.

Contact:  (786) 696-0266, E-Mail: Rfranqui@MiamiGov.com

Luis Gomez - Field Supervisor – Central District

Luis Gomez joined the City of Miami in July of 1999 as a temporary employee in the Finance Department.  Prior to working in the city, he worked in the main items processing center for Bank of America, Nations Bank, and Barnett Bank.  After working 11 months of temporary employment in the City, he achieved permanent employment classification as an Account Clerk, and Payroll Clerk.  During this time, he also earned credits for his Bachelors of Business Management from St. Thomas University.  He was later a Code Enforcement Inspector for a period of 12 years.  In 2014, Mr. Gomez was promoted to Code Compliance Field Supervisor. 

Contact: (786) 696-0235, Email: LGomez@miamigov.com

Michael Lytle - Field Supervisor – After-Hours (Alpha Shift) / Bike Team Supervisor

Michael Lytle grew up in Miami-Dade County and is a Navy Veteran that served during Desert Storm. He started working for the City of Miami as a Code Compliance Inspector in 2017. In 2021, he was promoted to Field Supervisor. He oversees the After-Hours Alpha Team and serves as the Code Compliance Department’s Bike Team Supervisor Operating City Wide. Mr. Lytle has an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Contact: (786) 696-0252, Email: Mlytle@miamigov.com  

Cornelius Pierre - Field Supervisor – After-Hours (Bravo Shift)

Cornelius Pierre began his career in the City of Miami in 2005 as an Occupational License Inspector. Mr. Pierre worked in the Finance Department as a Finance Inspector. In 2007 Mr. Pierre joined the Code Compliance Department as a Code Compliance Inspector, and in May 2023, was promoted to Supervisor for the After-Hours Team. Mr. Pierre along with his Code Compliance Inspectors respond to complaints citywide within the City Limits.

Contact: (786) 696-0086, Email: CPierre@miamigov.com

Daniel Sierra - Field Supervisor – North District

Daniel Sierra grew up in the City of Miami and graduated from Florida International University, joining the City in 2001. Mr. Sierra served as a Code Compliance Inspector from 2008-2010 and was promoted to Supervisor of the Southeast Code Compliance Sector in 2010. Mr. Sierra is responsible for overseeing a team of 9 inspectors. Prior to joining Code Compliance, Mr. Sierra worked for the Agenda Office and Community Development. Mr. Sierra is currently Supervisor of the North Code Compliance Sector since 2022.

Contact: (786) 696-0231, Email: DSierra@miamigov.com

Noel Chavez - Business Tax Receipts Supervisor

Noel Chavez joined the city in 2001. Mr. Chavez served in the City Department of Finance for 16 years before joining the Department of Code Compliance in 2017. Mr. Chavez Supervises our Service Aides who respond to calls and visits from the public, and process our Business Tax Receipt (BTR) for all businesses within the City of Miami. Mr. Chavez staff also ensures the yearly renewals of Business Tax Receipt. Mr. Chavez staff also provides the clerical support for the Code Compliance Inspection Staff.

Contact: (786) 696-0226, Email: NChavez@miamigov.com

The Department of Code Compliance is located at:
Miami Riverside Center (MRC)
444 SW 2^nd Avenue, 7^th Floor
Miami, FL 33131

Frequently Asked Questions:

            How can I report a Code Violation?

            If you believe there is a code violation anywhere in the City, you may report the violation by calling 311 or (305) 416-2087 or emailing: CodeCompliance@MiamiGov.com to report 1) a brief description of the violation; and 2) the property address and 3) complainant's name and address (per FS 125.69). 

            I have received a Code Violation. What should I do now?

            Please review the Notice you received and take action to correct the issue. If you have questions about what is required to achieve compliance, contact the Code Compliance inspector who issued the violation for more information. The inspector’s name, email address, and direct line is listed on the notice you received. There is also a directory of Code Compliance Inspectors’ direct lines on this webpage.

            I need more time to correct the violation. What should I do?

            If you are making a good faith efforts to bring your violation(s) into compliance but need more time to achieve full compliance, please contact the Code Compliance inspector who issued the violation via email or via telephone to describe your efforts, update the inspector on progress to date, and request more time.

            I reported a Code Compliance violation and would like a status update.

            Please contact the Code Compliance inspector or Supervisor for the area or call our general Departmental line (305) 416-2087.

            I would like to report a violation, but am not sure the correct Department or entity responsible.

The City of Miami has inspector assets across City Departments, and works with County, State, and Federal agencies as well. Below is a brief description of each entity’s purview and how to report a suspected violation.

         Building Department:

            The Building Department has electrical, mechanical, plumbing, elevator, unsafe structures, and structural divisions with specially-trained inspectors. Building inspectors may issue a stop-work order on an ongoing construction project, and the Unsafe Structures division of the Building Department may bring properties deemed unsafe before the Unsafe Structures Panel for adjudication, and potential demolition. To report a Building Code Violations, please contact 311, or (305) 468-5900, or UnsafeStructures@MiamiGov.com.

            Fire Department:

            The Department of Fire rescue inspects applicable structures and businesses to assure compliance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code. This includes inspection of buildings, equipment, systems, and other fire and related life-safety situations. This does not include one-family and two-family dwellings per Florida Statute. In the event a business or structure is found out of compliance with applicable codes by a fire inspector, they will take appropriate action to include issuing a Notice of Violation. To report a potential fire code/life safety concern, please contact (305) 416-1600, or (305) 416-1644, or (305) 416-1722, or FirePreventionBureauStaff@miamigov.com.

            Public Works:

            Public Works is responsible for City trolleys, trees in the public right-of-way, maintenance of traffic-calming circles, 1100 linear miles of sidewalks, storm-water drains, street-lighting, utility pole permitting, contractors working on the roads, potholes, right-of-way permitting, public rights-of-way, non-temporary fences along the public-right-of-way, roadways, and permits and construction on the same. To report a suspected violation to the Public Works Department, please contact 311, (305) 468-5900, or via email: InternetPublicWorks@MiamiGov.com.

            Solid Waste Department:

            The Department of Solid Waste has inspectors dedicated to enforcing solid waste-related violations. In particular, solid waste inspectors may issue tickets for civil infractions such as, improper waste placement, failure to have a required waste hauler, illegal dumping, etc. Solid Waste inspectors also work closely with property owners and architects on new construction to assure that proper facilities are provided for waste disposal in accordance with sanitation ordinances. To report a littered area/solid waste issue, dial 311, or call our Sanitation Code Enforcement Section at (305) 960-2830, or SolidWasteCustomerService@MiamiGov.com.

            Police Department:

            The Police Department is responsible for addressing criminal violations. Our Police Department does not have inspectors, but works closely with inspectors from other departments within our City to ensure lawful behavior. For example, Police are empowered to address crimes such as vandalism, including graffiti, illegal dumping, prostitution, gang activity, and other crimes that negatively impact health and safety, and denigrate quality of life in our community. To report an emergency, please contact 911, To report a non-emergency please contact (305) 579-6111. 

Overview of the Code Compliance Process:

Step One: Receiving a Complaint or Observing a Code Compliance Violation

Code Compliance inspectors receive complaints through a variety of sources, including in-person, via 311, email (CodeCompliance@MiamiGov.com), phone (305) 416-2087, or from other Departments. Inspectors also proactively address violations in their assigned geographic area. Per FS 125.69, the acceptance of anonymous complaints is prohibited. 

Step Two: Investigation

An inspector must personally investigate the property in question. Inspectors use a variety of resources to evaluate compliance, including tax cards, permit history, covenants, and surveys, etc. If an inspector finds evidence of a violation, they must document their findings via body worn camera (BOC) and a written account; and open a case.

Step Three: Providing Notice

If a Code Compliance violation has been found, the Code Compliance inspector must post a Notice of Violation on the property, and send notice of the violation via Certified Mail. The property owner is given a reasonable amount of time (generally 30 days) to bring the property into compliance or contact the inspector to request more time to bring the property into compliance.

Step Four: Preparing a Case

An inspector must compile all relevant evidence in preparation for the evaluation of “legal sufficiency” by his/her supervisor and the Assistant City Attorney assigned to represent the City in Code Compliance cases. “Legal sufficiency” means that the inspector has compiled enough evidence to establish that a violation exists, including evidence that proper notice has been given to the owner.

Step Five: Requesting a Hearing

Anyone receiving a Code Compliance violation is entitled to be heard by an independent, quasi-judicial body. In the City of Miami, the Code Enforcement Board adjudicates Code Compliance violations. A property owner with a Notice of Violation may be summoned to appear to the Code Enforcement Board Hearing.

Step Six: Adjudication

In the City of Miami, the Code Enforcement Board is the independent, quasi-judicial body empowered to adjudicate Code violations for the Department of Code Compliance. The Code Enforcement Board is made up of volunteers appointed by the City Commissioners. Tickets are adjudicated by Special Magistrates.

Step Seven: Mitigation or Lien Collection

A property owner may request a hearing before the Code Enforcement Board to mitigate their fines once they have obtained an affidavit of compliance. The Code Enforcement Board is the only entity in the City empowered to mitigate a fine amount. After adjudication, the City Attorney’s Office may seek foreclosure on a lien, a money judgment, or injunctive relief.