Can You Sell a House With Code Violations in Florida?
Last updated: February 2026
Max Cohen
Licensed General Contractor · FL Home Buyers
Quick Answer
Yes, you can sell a house with code violations in Florida. Traditional buyers may walk away, but cash buyers and investors regularly purchase properties with open permits, unpermitted work, and code enforcement issues. We buy these properties because we're licensed contractors who can fix them.
Common Code Violations We Buy
- Unpermitted additions, enclosed patios, converted garages, bonus rooms
- Open building permits, work started but never finalized
- Electrical issues, Federal Pacific panels, outdated wiring
- Plumbing violations, unpermitted water heaters, poly pipes
- Municipal liens, fines from code enforcement
- Unsafe structure notices, properties deemed unsafe by the city
- Roof violations, permit-less roof replacements
Why Traditional Sales Don't Work
When you list a property with code violations through an agent:
- Most buyers walk away during inspection
- Lenders may refuse to finance properties with open permits
- Title companies flag municipal liens
- Insurance companies may deny coverage
- Buyers demand you fix issues before closing
Why We Buy Properties With Code Issues
At FL Home Buyers, our owner Max Cohen is a State Certified General Contractor (CGC1534000). This means:
- We can legally pull permits and correct violations ourselves
- We know exactly what repairs cost, no guessing
- We have relationships with inspectors and code enforcement
- We buy with cash, so no lender or insurance requirements
This is one of our specialties. We buy properties other buyers won't touch.
Florida Statute 553.79 and Your Sale
Under FL Statute 553.79, all construction work in Florida requires a building permit, and every permit must pass final inspection to be closed out. If a previous owner or contractor pulled a permit and never finalized it, that open permit shows up on a title search. Lenders won't close on a property with open permits. Title companies flag them as defects.
Common triggers: a homeowner replaces a roof, gets the permit pulled, but the roofer never schedules final inspection. The permit stays "open" for years. Or someone encloses a patio without a permit at all, and code enforcement issues a notice of violation 5 years later when a neighbor complains.
We buy both scenarios. We handle the permitting and inspections post-closing because Max Cohen holds a State Certified General Contractor license (CGC1534000). We can pull permits, call in inspections, and close out violations ourselves.
What Code Violations Cost to Fix
| Violation Type | Typical Cost to Cure |
|---|---|
| Unpermitted enclosed patio | $3,000 - $8,000 |
| Open roof permit (close out) | $500 - $2,000 |
| Electrical panel replacement | $2,000 - $4,500 |
| Pool fence/barrier violation | $1,500 - $3,000 |
| Setback encroachment (remove structure) | $5,000 - $20,000 |
| Converted garage (restore or permit) | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Accumulated code enforcement fines | $1,000 - $50,000+ |
The fines are where it gets expensive. Florida municipalities charge $250-$500 per day for unresolved code violations, and those fines accrue as liens against the property. We've bought properties with $30,000+ in accumulated code fines. We negotiate reductions with the municipality directly after closing.
How Code Enforcement Liens Work in Florida
When a code enforcement board issues a fine, it becomes a lien on the property after recording with the county clerk. These liens survive a sale, meaning the new owner inherits the debt unless it's resolved at closing. Municipal code liens are senior to most other liens except property taxes.
Here's the part most sellers don't know: municipalities can and do reduce fines. If you resolve the underlying violation, many Florida cities will negotiate the accumulated fine down to 10-30% of the total. We've gotten $40,000 in fines reduced to $6,000 by fixing the violation and petitioning the code board. That's why having a buyer who's also a licensed GC matters. We fix the problem and negotiate the fine, all after you've already closed and received your cash.
Have a property with code violations? Get a free cash offer or call (561) 258-9405.