Photo: CBS 12
More than one hundred condos in Palm Beach County have not completed state-mandated inspections by the December 31st deadline.
The new law passed after Surfside mandates buildings at least 30 years old must undergo inspections and submit the findings.
113 condo buildings are unaccounted for and County Commissioner Joel Flores says those associations need to know the county is serious.
“Sometimes if you don’t put some teeth behind it, they’re gonna drag their feet to come into compliance. That’s my opinion but safety should be paramount.”
Commissioners voted to send non-compliance letters, threatening the potential for hefty fines.
Those fines, which could be as high as $500 per day, would need approval from a special magistrate hearing. That could delay those deadlines to comply. The concern from commissioners is that the fines would ultimately fall on the residents, adding on to the costs of performing these milestone inspections and possibly the repairs.
Doug Wise with Planning and Zoning fears the condition of these buildings is virtually unknown, which could force the county to deem them as an ‘unsafe structure’ and kick residents out.
“I’d prefer not to have to do this but how do I tell the legislature that we’re not going to do what they told us to do?” said Wise.
The letters will go out by the end of the month and those violating condo associations will have 30 days to comply.