Environmental Enforcement
Environmental Enforcement is a division located in the Corrections Department. Environmental Enforcement enforces and investigates codes, ordinances, state statutes, and administrative code violations committed in Escambia County. Animal Control is also a section of Environmental Enforcement.
Environmental Enforcement State Statute and County Ordinance
- Chapter 162 Florida Statutes
- Chapter 30 Escambia County Code of Ordinances
Codes/Laws Enforced
-
Nuisance Conditions
- Land Development Code
- Public Health and Safety
- Environmental Crimes
- Unsafe Building Structures
- Animal Control
Nuisances
- Overgrowth
- Inoperable Vehicles
- Trash and Debris
- Land Clearing
- Fences
- Signs
- Mandatory Garbage Collection
- Mosquito Breeding Grounds
- Abandoned Tires
- Dumping
- Unsafe Structures
Enforcement Actions
Civil Court - Special Magistrate is the most common enforcement action used by Environmental Enforcement Officers. Special Magistrate hearings are a quasi judicial hearing overseen by a Special Magistrate, who listens to testimony from the Officers and the alleged violators. The Special Magistrate rules if property is in violation or not. Special Magistrate is contracted by Escambia County to make fair and unbiased rulings, regarding alleged code violations. Special Magistrate must be an attorney in good standing with the Florida Bar Association.
County Court - Civil Citations
- Issued after notice of violation has been issued.
- Starts at $50.00 per violation up to $400.00 per violation
- Ten days to pay or contest citation in County Court
Notice to Appear
- Issued in place of a physical arrest
- Must be in court 3 weeks from issue date
- Issued only for ordinance violations, and misdemeanors(1st and 2nd degree)
Circuit Court - Felony Dumping
- 500 lbs or more
- Commercial gain
- Hazardous Material
- Warrants
County Coverage
- Escambia County is broken into three separate areas: north, central, south.
- The south area is the largest area by population and has approximately eight officers and
two lead officers.
- The central area has four officers and one lead officer.
- The north area is the largest per square mile but smallest in population and has four officers and one lead officer.
- All environmental enforcement officers work four ten-hour days, with two shifts:
A Shift = Monday-Thursday 7:00-5:30
B Shift = Tuesday-Friday 7:00-5:30
