Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
with 100% Accurate Answers 2025
Earliest and most rudimentary building codes of which we have knowledge are
attributed to -Correct Answer ✔King Hammurabi (Babylonian Empire) 2000BC
Rome enacted regulations for the safety of public buildings in -Correct Answer ✔27 A.D.
One of the earliest building codes was promulgated by the Mayor of London in 1189,
known as the -Correct Answer ✔Assize of Buildings
In 1666, a great fire in London burned out of control for 5 days, prompting Legislation of
the -Correct Answer ✔London Building Act
In 1871 the Chicago Fire that killed 250 people and 100,000 homes prompted the city to
-Correct Answer ✔enact a building and fire prevention ordinance
The three model building codes currently in use in this country were all developed -
Correct Answer ✔in the 20th Century
Uniform Building Code -Correct Answer ✔was published in 1927, (replacing the 1905
National Building Code). It is used extensively in the western U.S
Southern Standard Building Code -Correct Answer ✔(now Standard Building Code),
published in 1945 is used predominantly in the southeast
The Basic /National Building Code -Correct Answer ✔published in 1950, is widely used
in the northeast and midwest
BOCA, SBCCI, and ICBO -Correct Answer ✔The three code organizations active
throughout the United States are
In an effort to consolidate codes and produce one standard that can be used, BOCA,
ICBO, and SBCC] united and formed the International Code Council and the
International Building Codes. Florida elected not to adopt the International Code instead
-Correct Answer ✔adopting the State of Florida Building Code in March of 2002.
The history of housing codes in the United States began during the colonial period. As
settlement of the colonies spread settlers discovered that certain conditions were not
conducive -Correct Answer ✔to the general health and safety of the people.
Authorities have refined housing codes through the years and now enforce them in
many areas of this and other countries. These codes establish minimum standards for
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
,Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
health, safety, and welfare and are targeted at preventing -Correct Answer ✔the
creation of substandard dwellings and slums
Local governments face a whole new problem when lack of maintenance on buildings
causes deterioration. This "blight" can spread rapidly through residential and business
districts alike. This occurs unless there are restrictions or enforcement of -Correct
Answer ✔community standards.
The term "inspection" -Correct Answer ✔is usually understood to mean a close
observation of actual conditions existing on properties' structures and their approved
uses.
Code officers/inspectors must be -Correct Answer ✔trained, qualified, and competent to
determine whether conditions that they observe meet the minimum requirements
specified in the locally adopted codes.
Code officer/inspectors should be familiar -Correct Answer ✔with the court or code
enforcement punitive process and appellate procedures. In addition, code
officer/inspectors should know process is necessary to appeal code requirements.
The administrative elements deal with the procedures to ensure the observation of the
constitutional doctrines of reasonableness, equal protection under the law, and due
process. The procedures -Correct Answer ✔must also guard against unlawful search
and seizure.
Code officers/inspectors must know -Correct Answer ✔the departmental mission and be
able to take whatever action is necessary to best meet that goal.
Code enforcement today addresses a wide range of issues that affect -Correct Answer
✔the environment, health, safety, property values, and general well - being of the
general public
Code enforcement programs not only achieve their primary health, safety and welfare
goals but also -Correct Answer ✔enhance other programs and efforts such as historic
preservation, rehabilitation assistance, and revitalization.
The goal of code enforcement is to -Correct Answer ✔gain "voluntary compliance."
Educating the public is one of the quickest and most -Correct Answer ✔inexpensive
methods of enforcement.
Education of the public -Correct Answer ✔can be one of the most effective tools that
code enforcement officials have at their disposal.
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
,Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
Frequently violations occur when -Correct Answer ✔property owners do not realize that
they have violated local codes or Ordinances.
Enforcement through informal methods such as education -Correct Answer ✔can help
reduce tension and prevent adversarial relationships between the public and regulatory
agencies.
Perhaps the best way to reach the greatest number of people: -Correct Answer ✔is to
publish and distribute pamphlets or brochures which briefly describe available services,
general code requirements, and information about the department's function, and its
telephone numbers.
Code enforcement agencies have also become involved in a variety of programs and
partnerships -Correct Answer ✔with other departments, agencies, community
organizations, and local businesses.
Members of these teams can come from a combination of -Correct Answer ✔code
enforcement, law enforcement, public works, fire, health, legal (such as city or county
attorneys), and building and zoning departments.
Other partnerships include -Correct Answer ✔involving citizens from community
organizations and local businesses. These could include homeowner associations,
neighborhood associations, property managers, and property owners.
-If the citizens provide information, and receive none in return, -Correct Answer ✔they
feel as if the government sees their role as unimportant and they soon develop a sense
of disassociation
Restrictive Covenants -Correct Answer ✔those property restrictions legally agreed
upon, recorded, and legally binding on the property owner. They are sometimes called
deed restrictions and can vary as to the content, purpose, and length of time the
restriction app lies.
It is important to remember that government entities -Correct Answer ✔do not enforce
restrictive covenants or deed restrictions.
Homeowner Association By-Laws -Correct Answer ✔By-laws are another example of
restrictions employed by homeowners' associations to create, preserve, or develop
quality-of-life standards for their communities.
-Many homeowner associations will attempt government intervention for enforcement of
their rules. Rules adopted by the homeowner's association -Correct Answer ✔are not
enforceable by government agencies.
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
, Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
CHAIN OF COMMAND -Correct Answer ✔Its purpose is to: channel effectively and
uniformly information, authority, responsibility, and accountability throughout the
organizational structure.
Chain of Command -Correct Answer ✔Provide a structural relationship between the
code enforcement officer/inspector and the supervisor/director; limit and control the
number of people who report to the city or county administrator; and achieve the goals
and objectives of the code enforcement unit.
The code enforcement officer/inspector plays a crucial role on the team by -Correct
Answer ✔fulfilling objectives, coordinating activities, ensuring proper function of sub-
units, understanding the extent of individual duties, and being accountable for individual
and team actions.
AGENCY OR DEPARTMENTAL POLICY -Correct Answer ✔Depending upon a
jurisdictions and local governing body's enforcement philosophy, code enforcement may
be either reactive (complaint driven) or proactive (needs driven as determined by staff
observation or other methods)
-Response time means the period in which a code enforcement officer/inspector must
respond (investigate) to an alleged violation or complaint. -Correct Answer ✔A good rule
of thumb is to act on the issue within 24 hours of receiving the complaint
Departments must maintain all records in compliance with -Correct Answer ✔F.S.112
the Public Records Law
Ill. COMPLAINT PROCESS -Correct Answer ✔Process to receive complaints, for
example, by mail, telephone, inter-office, inter-departmental, inter-agency
-Some jurisdictions will take anonymous complaints. F.S. 162 requires -Correct Answer
✔that the code enforcement code officer/inspector have personal knowledge of the
violation. The statute does not require identity of the complainant and that information is
inconsequential
-The most important piece of information to obtain is -Correct Answer ✔the location of
the violation or alleged activity.
-Concise questions -Correct Answer ✔will allow the most productive use of the only
encounter the officer/inspector may have with the complainant.
-The obvious questions to ask during a telephone complaint or during a personal
contact complaint taken in the field regarding a possible code violation should answer
the questions -Correct Answer ✔of Who? What? Where? How?, and possibly Why?
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
with 100% Accurate Answers 2025
Earliest and most rudimentary building codes of which we have knowledge are
attributed to -Correct Answer ✔King Hammurabi (Babylonian Empire) 2000BC
Rome enacted regulations for the safety of public buildings in -Correct Answer ✔27 A.D.
One of the earliest building codes was promulgated by the Mayor of London in 1189,
known as the -Correct Answer ✔Assize of Buildings
In 1666, a great fire in London burned out of control for 5 days, prompting Legislation of
the -Correct Answer ✔London Building Act
In 1871 the Chicago Fire that killed 250 people and 100,000 homes prompted the city to
-Correct Answer ✔enact a building and fire prevention ordinance
The three model building codes currently in use in this country were all developed -
Correct Answer ✔in the 20th Century
Uniform Building Code -Correct Answer ✔was published in 1927, (replacing the 1905
National Building Code). It is used extensively in the western U.S
Southern Standard Building Code -Correct Answer ✔(now Standard Building Code),
published in 1945 is used predominantly in the southeast
The Basic /National Building Code -Correct Answer ✔published in 1950, is widely used
in the northeast and midwest
BOCA, SBCCI, and ICBO -Correct Answer ✔The three code organizations active
throughout the United States are
In an effort to consolidate codes and produce one standard that can be used, BOCA,
ICBO, and SBCC] united and formed the International Code Council and the
International Building Codes. Florida elected not to adopt the International Code instead
-Correct Answer ✔adopting the State of Florida Building Code in March of 2002.
The history of housing codes in the United States began during the colonial period. As
settlement of the colonies spread settlers discovered that certain conditions were not
conducive -Correct Answer ✔to the general health and safety of the people.
Authorities have refined housing codes through the years and now enforce them in
many areas of this and other countries. These codes establish minimum standards for
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
,Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
health, safety, and welfare and are targeted at preventing -Correct Answer ✔the
creation of substandard dwellings and slums
Local governments face a whole new problem when lack of maintenance on buildings
causes deterioration. This "blight" can spread rapidly through residential and business
districts alike. This occurs unless there are restrictions or enforcement of -Correct
Answer ✔community standards.
The term "inspection" -Correct Answer ✔is usually understood to mean a close
observation of actual conditions existing on properties' structures and their approved
uses.
Code officers/inspectors must be -Correct Answer ✔trained, qualified, and competent to
determine whether conditions that they observe meet the minimum requirements
specified in the locally adopted codes.
Code officer/inspectors should be familiar -Correct Answer ✔with the court or code
enforcement punitive process and appellate procedures. In addition, code
officer/inspectors should know process is necessary to appeal code requirements.
The administrative elements deal with the procedures to ensure the observation of the
constitutional doctrines of reasonableness, equal protection under the law, and due
process. The procedures -Correct Answer ✔must also guard against unlawful search
and seizure.
Code officers/inspectors must know -Correct Answer ✔the departmental mission and be
able to take whatever action is necessary to best meet that goal.
Code enforcement today addresses a wide range of issues that affect -Correct Answer
✔the environment, health, safety, property values, and general well - being of the
general public
Code enforcement programs not only achieve their primary health, safety and welfare
goals but also -Correct Answer ✔enhance other programs and efforts such as historic
preservation, rehabilitation assistance, and revitalization.
The goal of code enforcement is to -Correct Answer ✔gain "voluntary compliance."
Educating the public is one of the quickest and most -Correct Answer ✔inexpensive
methods of enforcement.
Education of the public -Correct Answer ✔can be one of the most effective tools that
code enforcement officials have at their disposal.
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
,Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
Frequently violations occur when -Correct Answer ✔property owners do not realize that
they have violated local codes or Ordinances.
Enforcement through informal methods such as education -Correct Answer ✔can help
reduce tension and prevent adversarial relationships between the public and regulatory
agencies.
Perhaps the best way to reach the greatest number of people: -Correct Answer ✔is to
publish and distribute pamphlets or brochures which briefly describe available services,
general code requirements, and information about the department's function, and its
telephone numbers.
Code enforcement agencies have also become involved in a variety of programs and
partnerships -Correct Answer ✔with other departments, agencies, community
organizations, and local businesses.
Members of these teams can come from a combination of -Correct Answer ✔code
enforcement, law enforcement, public works, fire, health, legal (such as city or county
attorneys), and building and zoning departments.
Other partnerships include -Correct Answer ✔involving citizens from community
organizations and local businesses. These could include homeowner associations,
neighborhood associations, property managers, and property owners.
-If the citizens provide information, and receive none in return, -Correct Answer ✔they
feel as if the government sees their role as unimportant and they soon develop a sense
of disassociation
Restrictive Covenants -Correct Answer ✔those property restrictions legally agreed
upon, recorded, and legally binding on the property owner. They are sometimes called
deed restrictions and can vary as to the content, purpose, and length of time the
restriction app lies.
It is important to remember that government entities -Correct Answer ✔do not enforce
restrictive covenants or deed restrictions.
Homeowner Association By-Laws -Correct Answer ✔By-laws are another example of
restrictions employed by homeowners' associations to create, preserve, or develop
quality-of-life standards for their communities.
-Many homeowner associations will attempt government intervention for enforcement of
their rules. Rules adopted by the homeowner's association -Correct Answer ✔are not
enforceable by government agencies.
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
, Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
CHAIN OF COMMAND -Correct Answer ✔Its purpose is to: channel effectively and
uniformly information, authority, responsibility, and accountability throughout the
organizational structure.
Chain of Command -Correct Answer ✔Provide a structural relationship between the
code enforcement officer/inspector and the supervisor/director; limit and control the
number of people who report to the city or county administrator; and achieve the goals
and objectives of the code enforcement unit.
The code enforcement officer/inspector plays a crucial role on the team by -Correct
Answer ✔fulfilling objectives, coordinating activities, ensuring proper function of sub-
units, understanding the extent of individual duties, and being accountable for individual
and team actions.
AGENCY OR DEPARTMENTAL POLICY -Correct Answer ✔Depending upon a
jurisdictions and local governing body's enforcement philosophy, code enforcement may
be either reactive (complaint driven) or proactive (needs driven as determined by staff
observation or other methods)
-Response time means the period in which a code enforcement officer/inspector must
respond (investigate) to an alleged violation or complaint. -Correct Answer ✔A good rule
of thumb is to act on the issue within 24 hours of receiving the complaint
Departments must maintain all records in compliance with -Correct Answer ✔F.S.112
the Public Records Law
Ill. COMPLAINT PROCESS -Correct Answer ✔Process to receive complaints, for
example, by mail, telephone, inter-office, inter-departmental, inter-agency
-Some jurisdictions will take anonymous complaints. F.S. 162 requires -Correct Answer
✔that the code enforcement code officer/inspector have personal knowledge of the
violation. The statute does not require identity of the complainant and that information is
inconsequential
-The most important piece of information to obtain is -Correct Answer ✔the location of
the violation or alleged activity.
-Concise questions -Correct Answer ✔will allow the most productive use of the only
encounter the officer/inspector may have with the complainant.
-The obvious questions to ask during a telephone complaint or during a personal
contact complaint taken in the field regarding a possible code violation should answer
the questions -Correct Answer ✔of Who? What? Where? How?, and possibly Why?
Fundamentals of Florida Code Enforcement
