Code Enforcement Department

The Code Enforcement officer has broad powers under the direction of the Police Chief. Code Enforcement is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the Town’s ordinances to ensure the welfare of the community. Code Enforcement is both proactive and reactive in its enforcement. 

Our mission:

“Howey-in-the-Hills Code Enforcement Department serves as a resource to protect the health and safety of our community. We strive to maintain the quality of life through education, cooperation, and compliance.”

Our Main Goals:

Our main goals are two-fold; Our first goal is to obtain voluntary compliance and our second goal is to educate the citizens of Howey-in-the-Hills by informing the citizens of the various ordinances.

The process

Once a violation is reported or initiated, the Code Officer will notify the property owner and provide a reasonable amount of time to comply. If needed, a formal Notice of Violation will be served to the property owner. If voluntary compliance is not obtained then Code Enforcement has the authority to utilize a Special Magistrate. If a violation goes before the Special Magistrate fines can be assessed up to $250 per day per offense, for each day the violation remains, or up to $500 per day for each repeat violation. Such fines are assessed against the property owner and are recorded in the Lake County Public Records as a lien against the property.  

In addition, Code Enforcement works alongside the Building Official, Permitting Department, Public Works, and Utilities to enforce any violation of the Florida Building Code or the Land Development Code.

Most common violations:

• Grass exceeding twelve (12) inches in height
• Accumulation of junk and rubbish
• Parking of boats, RV's, and trailers in inappropriate areas of the property
• Unlicensed / unregistered vehicles on property
• No signs may be placed in the road right-of-way, street intersections, or attached to utility poles. 
• Erecting a fence or shed without a permit
• Irrigating landscape on the wrong day or time
• Leaving trash receptacles out after the day of pickup
• Removing a tree(s) without obtaining a permit or without a certified arborist
• Having a garage sale without obtaining a permit

The Town of Howey-in-the-Hills employs a full-time Code Enforcement Officer. 

When in doubt, do not hesitate to call us at:

Code Enforcement Department:

Matt McDonald
mmcdonald@howey.org
(352) 638-0524

Building Services Department / Permitting: 

buildingservices@howey.org
​(352) 324-2290

Building Official

Matt Fretwell
Matt@alpha-inspections.net
​(352) 874-3121

Note: Under Florida law change, email addresses are public records.
Florida Statute 162.21(3)(b) amends the county and municipal code enforcement statutes to prohibit county and municipal code inspectors and code enforcement officers from initiating an investigation into violations of city or county codes or ordinances based upon an anonymous complaint. It also requires that an individual making a complaint of a potential violation provide his or her name and address to the local government body before an investigation may occur.

The prohibition does not apply if the code inspector or code enforcement officer has reason to believe the alleged violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources.