City Waived $55,650 Code Lien for Little Havana Home
The code enforcement board dropped the case after the owner proved the violations predated her purchase.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Residential
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A Little Havana homeowner, Angelica Martinez, successfully cleared a $55,650 lien after proving that the unpermitted work on her property was done by a previous owner. The City of Miami code enforcement board dropped the case during an appeal hearing in September.
Why it matters
Property liens for code violations can create significant financial hurdles for residents, especially when they stem from work performed before a home purchase. This outcome highlights the importance of documentation when challenging city fines for inherited code non-compliance.
The city waived a total of $55,650 in fines previously assessed as a lien against the property. This decision marks the end of a process that originated from code violations initially cited in 2024.
The players
Angelica Martinez
The Little Havana homeowner who successfully appealed a city code violation lien.
City of Miami
The local government jurisdiction responsible for the code enforcement board and property citations.
The details
The code enforcement board ruled in favor of Angelica Martinez after she and her attorney presented evidence showing a fence and driveway were installed five months before she bought the home. The city acknowledged that the violations occurred under prior ownership rather than under the current resident. This action effectively clears the property of the significant financial penalty originally levied in January 2026.
Timeline
2024: Code compliance officers initially accused Martinez of violations.
January 2026: The city found Martinez guilty of the violations.
September 2026: The code enforcement board dropped the case and waived the lien.
Beyond the 305
This case follows the established pattern of the City of Miami code compliance review process where owners can appeal penalties for work completed by prior residents. It mirrors similar outcomes seen across Florida municipalities where local boards review property records to determine the timing of unpermitted construction.
Homeowners who purchase properties with existing code violations should maintain detailed records of the purchase and property condition at the time of sale. If a lien is assessed, the appeals process remains the primary avenue for resolving disputes over work performed by previous owners.
The takeaway
Always keep pre-purchase property condition reports and closing documentation to protect yourself against inherited code violations. Review city notice letters immediately if you receive a citation for work you did not authorize.
Further reading
For more information on property regulations, visit Miami Residential.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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