Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <LATEST VERSION>
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement: Exam Study Guide 2026
Section 1: Legal Foundations and Authorities
1. What is the primary source of authority for local government code
enforcement in Florida?
a) The United States Constitution
b) The Florida Statutes, specifically Chapter 162
c) Local ordinances passed by counties and municipalities
d) Rules from the Florida Building Commission
Answer: b) The Florida Statutes, specifically Chapter 162 - Chapter 162,
known as the "Local Government Code Enforcement Boards Act," provides
the statutory framework and procedures that all local governments must
follow for non-criminal code enforcement.
2. What is the legal doctrine that establishes the right of local governments
to regulate for the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens?
a) Eminent Domain
b) Police Power
c) Sovereign Immunity
d) Escheat
Answer: b) Police Power - Police power is the inherent authority of
local governments to enact and enforce laws to protect public health,
safety, morals, and general welfare.
3. A local government's code of ordinances derives its authority from:
a) Delegated power from the Florida Legislature.
b) The Governor's executive orders.
, c) The Florida Constitution.
d) Both a and c.
Answer: d) Both a and c. - The Florida Constitution grants home rule
power to municipalities and counties, allowing them to act on local issues.
This is further specified and delegated by the Florida Legislature through
statutes like Chapter 166 for municipalities.
4. The purpose of a "Notice of Violation" is to:
a) Immediately levy a fine.
b) Inform the violator of the specific code section violated and allow time
for compliance.
c) Schedule a hearing before the Code Enforcement Board.
d) Issue a warrant for arrest.
Answer: b) Inform the violator of the specific code section violated and
allow time for compliance. - The Notice of Violation is the initial step to
educate and provide an opportunity for voluntary compliance before
initiating formal, punitive actions.
5. What is "sovereign immunity" in the context of code enforcement?
a) The government's power to take private property.
b) The doctrine that a government cannot be sued without its consent.
c) The immunity of code enforcement officers from traffic tickets.
d) The power to enforce codes on state-owned land.
Answer: b) The doctrine that a government cannot be sued without its
consent. - Sovereign immunity protects government entities from
lawsuits, but it is waived in many instances by statute, such as for tort
claims under certain conditions.
Section 2: Code Enforcement Boards and Special Magistrates
6. How many members typically serve on a local government Code
Enforcement Board?
a) 3 or 5
b) 5 or 7
, c) 7 or 9
d) It is set by the local governing body and can vary.
Answer: b) 5 or 7 - Florida Statute 162.05 specifies that a code
enforcement board shall be composed of either five or seven members.
7. A primary requirement for members of a Code Enforcement Board is that
they must be:
a) Residents of the local government they serve.
b) Licensed attorneys.
c) Former law enforcement officers.
d) Registered contractors.
Answer: a) Residents of the local government they serve. - Residency
within the jurisdiction is a key requirement to ensure members have a stake
in the community.
8. What is the role of a Special Magistrate?
a) To replace the need for a Code Enforcement Board.
b) To hear cases involving the Florida Building Code.
c) To serve as a hearing officer for code enforcement cases, often in
jurisdictions that do not have a Code Enforcement Board.
d) To prosecute criminal code violations.
Answer: c) To serve as a hearing officer for code enforcement cases, often
in jurisdictions that do not have a Code Enforcement Board. - A Special
Magistrate is an alternative to a full board, granted similar powers to hear
cases and impose penalties.
9. A finding by a Code Enforcement Board that a violation exists must be
supported by:
a) A preponderance of the evidence.
b) Proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
c) Clear and convincing evidence.
d) A unanimous vote of the board.
Answer: a) A preponderance of the evidence. - This is the standard of
STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS || 100%
GUARANTEED PASS <LATEST VERSION>
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement: Exam Study Guide 2026
Section 1: Legal Foundations and Authorities
1. What is the primary source of authority for local government code
enforcement in Florida?
a) The United States Constitution
b) The Florida Statutes, specifically Chapter 162
c) Local ordinances passed by counties and municipalities
d) Rules from the Florida Building Commission
Answer: b) The Florida Statutes, specifically Chapter 162 - Chapter 162,
known as the "Local Government Code Enforcement Boards Act," provides
the statutory framework and procedures that all local governments must
follow for non-criminal code enforcement.
2. What is the legal doctrine that establishes the right of local governments
to regulate for the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens?
a) Eminent Domain
b) Police Power
c) Sovereign Immunity
d) Escheat
Answer: b) Police Power - Police power is the inherent authority of
local governments to enact and enforce laws to protect public health,
safety, morals, and general welfare.
3. A local government's code of ordinances derives its authority from:
a) Delegated power from the Florida Legislature.
b) The Governor's executive orders.
, c) The Florida Constitution.
d) Both a and c.
Answer: d) Both a and c. - The Florida Constitution grants home rule
power to municipalities and counties, allowing them to act on local issues.
This is further specified and delegated by the Florida Legislature through
statutes like Chapter 166 for municipalities.
4. The purpose of a "Notice of Violation" is to:
a) Immediately levy a fine.
b) Inform the violator of the specific code section violated and allow time
for compliance.
c) Schedule a hearing before the Code Enforcement Board.
d) Issue a warrant for arrest.
Answer: b) Inform the violator of the specific code section violated and
allow time for compliance. - The Notice of Violation is the initial step to
educate and provide an opportunity for voluntary compliance before
initiating formal, punitive actions.
5. What is "sovereign immunity" in the context of code enforcement?
a) The government's power to take private property.
b) The doctrine that a government cannot be sued without its consent.
c) The immunity of code enforcement officers from traffic tickets.
d) The power to enforce codes on state-owned land.
Answer: b) The doctrine that a government cannot be sued without its
consent. - Sovereign immunity protects government entities from
lawsuits, but it is waived in many instances by statute, such as for tort
claims under certain conditions.
Section 2: Code Enforcement Boards and Special Magistrates
6. How many members typically serve on a local government Code
Enforcement Board?
a) 3 or 5
b) 5 or 7
, c) 7 or 9
d) It is set by the local governing body and can vary.
Answer: b) 5 or 7 - Florida Statute 162.05 specifies that a code
enforcement board shall be composed of either five or seven members.
7. A primary requirement for members of a Code Enforcement Board is that
they must be:
a) Residents of the local government they serve.
b) Licensed attorneys.
c) Former law enforcement officers.
d) Registered contractors.
Answer: a) Residents of the local government they serve. - Residency
within the jurisdiction is a key requirement to ensure members have a stake
in the community.
8. What is the role of a Special Magistrate?
a) To replace the need for a Code Enforcement Board.
b) To hear cases involving the Florida Building Code.
c) To serve as a hearing officer for code enforcement cases, often in
jurisdictions that do not have a Code Enforcement Board.
d) To prosecute criminal code violations.
Answer: c) To serve as a hearing officer for code enforcement cases, often
in jurisdictions that do not have a Code Enforcement Board. - A Special
Magistrate is an alternative to a full board, granted similar powers to hear
cases and impose penalties.
9. A finding by a Code Enforcement Board that a violation exists must be
supported by:
a) A preponderance of the evidence.
b) Proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
c) Clear and convincing evidence.
d) A unanimous vote of the board.
Answer: a) A preponderance of the evidence. - This is the standard of
