FAQs • Pensacola, FL • CivicEngage

Can a person remain completely anonymous when reporting a code violation complaint?: Florida Statute 162.21(3)(b) and FS 166.0415 have been amended by 2021 Senate Bill 60. The effect of this new law is that a code enforcement officer may not initiate an investigation of a potential violation by way of an anonymous tip. A person making a complaint regarding a potential violation of a code or ordinance must provide their name and address to the local government entity before an investigation can occur. If a code enforcement officer has reason to believe that a violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety or welfare, or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources, an investigation will proceed absent name and address of a complainant.

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Code Enforcement

1. Does City Code Enforcement investigate and initiate code violation cases only on complaints received from citizens?: No. A large portion of the code violations investigated by the City of Pensacola Code Enforcement Division are Officer initiated. Code violation cases are initiated by Officers on an ongoing basis through the proactive patrols of their assigned BEAT areas. An example is that during FY 2020, over 60% of complaints regarding overgrown vacant properties were Officer initiated while on routine patrol.

2. Can a person remain completely anonymous when reporting a code violation complaint?: Florida Statute 162.21(3)(b) and FS 166.0415 have been amended by 2021 Senate Bill 60. The effect of this new law is that a code enforcement officer may not initiate an investigation of a potential violation by way of an anonymous tip. A person making a complaint regarding a potential violation of a code or ordinance must provide their name and address to the local government entity before an investigation can occur. If a code enforcement officer has reason to believe that a violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety or welfare, or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources, an investigation will proceed absent name and address of a complainant.

3. Can a person file a complaint online or after hours?: Yes. A person can simply go to the City of Pensacola website and enter a complaint on the City 311 link which will then be routed to City Code Enforcement for investigation. A person can also call our office (850-436-5500) after hours and leave a detailed voice mail message to include the location and nature of the alleged violation(s) along with the complainant's name and address. Complaints will be investigated the next business day.

4. Does Code Enforcement staff meet with Neighborhood Associations or other Organizations?: Yes. Our staff meets with Neighborhood Associations, Community groups and individual citizens on a regular basis. An organization or individual simply has to call or e-mail our office with a date and time of the meeting request and we will insure that a staff member is present to answer any questions.