Liens & Assessments

Payoff Requests

To request a payoff for Code Enforcement Board liens, special assessments, or both, please email the Code Enforcement Division.  Be sure to include the location of the property or properties, parcel identification number(s), the owner's name, and the date to which you would like the payoff calculated. Please allow four (4) business days for processing of your request. 

Code Enforcement Liens

Fines imposed by the Code Enforcement Board or Hearing Officer, when recorded in the public record, constitute a lien against all real and personal property of the violator.  This means the lien attaches to all property the owner owns, and the owner will be unable to sell marketable title to any property, not just the one that is the location of the violation, without first satisfying or securing a release of the lien.

Many times respondents are unable to pay Code Enforcement fines/liens which have accrued to a very high level.  Assuming the violation that led to the fine has been corrected, it is possible to get the fine reduced or dismissed by requesting the Code Enforcement Board grant reconsideration.

To request reconsideration of one or more Code Enforcement liens, please complete a Reconsideration Request Form and contact the Code Enforcement Division at 863.834.6251 or by email for additional information.  Be sure to include the address of the property and your contact information.

Please Note: Reconsideration requests require payment of a $50 processing fee.

Special Assessments

Special assessments are like liens, but are imposed to recover the costs incurred by the City in correcting or repairing code violations, typically lot clearing and demolition activities.  Special assessments are like taxes in that their priority is greater than other liens, even those filed earlier in time.  In Lakeland, special assessments for lot clearings and demolitions also survive active foreclosures and have become a valuable tool at combating the harmful effects of foreclosures on neighborhoods.

While it is generally the City's policy not to reduce or otherwise negotiate special assessments, there are rare cases when doing so is in the best interest of the City, the neighborhood where the property is located, or both.  To request reconsideration of special assessments, please complete a Reconsideration Request Form and contact the Code Enforcement Division at 863.834.6251 or by email for additional information.  Be sure to include the property address and your contact information. 

Please Note: Reconsideration requests require payment of a $50 processing fee.