received a county fine (Miami: new house, contractors, live in)

[tallrick]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Of course not. Common sense should tell you that the individual in the thread referring to Nazis and kangaroo courts doesn't have the slightest idea of what he is talking about. There is no time limit for commercial vehicles parked in front of a home performing a service. Here is the info from the Miami-Dade government website:

Miami-Dade County - Building - Commercial Vehicle Parking & Storage

As for the one-hour time limit that the OP is referring to, he has misinterpreted what that is in reference to. It is from a different section of the ordinance titled storage or parking of vehicles on private property and pertains to the owner of the commercial vehicle making a convenience stop in front of (presumably) his own residence. It is the property owner's responsibility to know who or what is parked on his or her own property.




That's exactly what the fine was for.

Guess what, I know of a case of someone who was fined for parking a tow truck at his home, and he does not own one, he is an accountant! The tow truck was picking up his car to take it to the shop. His lawyer solved the problem though, If you think that code enforcement cares about the county ordinance you are a fool. ALl they care about is revenue and that is why they took over the hearing from the circuit court. Why do you think that traffic court is fair while Kangaroo court is not? The hearing has only two criteria for guilt, are you the owner of the property and are you responsible for the alleged violation?

Unless you have actually been fined or dealt with code enforcement personally you should not comment on something based on theory. By the way the MD website is not legal advice and has no bearing whatsoever, as stated on their own site. Look to Municode for the actual wording of the code.

[FlyMIA]

My home got a code violation for hedges being too high. Ridiculous. Even more ridiculous is that the code enforcer had no jurisdiction for that type of violation.

The problem with it is that my neighborhood is private property. Those types of codes don't apply here. Got it taken away with a few phone calls.

[Enigma777]

Sounds like bad luck--maybe and obnoxious neighbor complained. I don't know how people are supposed to move.

The code is ambiguous--but it appears to say that you get a warning first:

Commercial vehicles not allowed
A one-time 24-hour courtesy warning notice requiring removal of the vehicle is issued to the property owner or tenant.

First-time violators who do not remove their commercial vehicles within the specified time are issued $500 tickets.

If the property owner is issued a civil citation and the violation is not corrected, Team Metro may place a lien on the property.

A repeat violator will be issued a ticket ranging from $750 to $1000.

Upon a repeat violation, in addition to civil penalties, the commercial vehicle may be impounded until all outstanding violations and enforcement costs are satisfied. After 35 days of storage, the commercial vehicle may be disposed of pursuant to the provisions contained in 713.585, Florida Statues.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by tallrick

By the way the MD website is not legal advice and has no bearing whatsoever, as stated on their own site. Look to Municode for the actual wording of the code.

I did; hence, my second paragragh, which you even quoted.

Reading is fundamental, my friend.

If you check yourself, you will see that subparagraph (b) of the ordinance pertains to storing or parking a commercial vehicle on private property and includes the one-hour time limit. Subparagraph (c) pertains to commercial vehicles performing a service at someone else's residence and includes no time limit.

[convextech]

Originally Posted by valicky

How is this law possible? My husband never takes less than an hour when he's doing a job in someone's home. I can see if it's your boat or camper or truck, they want you parking it in a garage or in the back yard, but how can they fine you for any commercial vehicle in your driveway over an hour? Even my exterminator is here longer than that!

I have a feeling they mean specifically, "unmanned and parked". If there were people obviously moving or working, it probably wouldn't be an issue.

[doggiebus]

Yea, the county isn't going to fine a work truck or a homeowner on the first visit. I'm sure the county knocked on the door of the home to speak to the homeowner. The OP or mom had to of gotten a warning to move the truck prior to a fine.

[valicky]

I think a warning must've been issued as well. And most service vehicles are unmanned and parked while the workers are inside doing the job. My posts were incredulous because it was being stated here that a commercial vehicle couldn't be parked in front of a home for more than an hour. As it was stated - it made no sense.

OP - was it your hearing as you said, or your mother's hearing since she was the homeowner?

[maxinvasion2]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Now you know it is really a kangaroo court. Next time deny everything and demand a reinspection. Remember they are not police officers and cannot get a search warrant. I got that info directly from Rundle.

I couldn't deny anything. They had a picture at 1st and another at 2:30pm. It would be up to me to prove that I had moved it during that time.they took a bunch of pictures even them putting the 1 hour warning on the front door.

[maxinvasion2]

Originally Posted by convextech

They shouldn't have to "end up" giving you the fine and your mother shouldn't have to appeal it. You should pay it, because it was your doing.

Doesn't matter I'm paying anyways

[maxinvasion2]

Originally Posted by valicky

So service people are supposed to finish a job in under an hour???? How is that possible? You can't park in the street. How can you move in or out in under an hour? Have flooring installed? A kitchen put in? A washer repaired? Cable TV installation? This whole thing sounds very weird. Maybe the fine was because the commercial vehicle was your own and not someone doing a job?

I was mine. I was currently searching for commercial parking. It doesn't matter if there is work being done or not. Let's say it would have been another company working on my house. I would get the fine not the company because I am allowing it to happen on MY property. Doesn't matter if I'm there or not.