Tampa · Code Cases · Lien Settlements
Tampa publishes its own rules for settling code fines, with set amounts based on how long a violation took to fix. Here’s what they say, how to get a payoff letter, and what changes when the house is sold.
The short answer
Yes, you can sell a Tampa house with code liens. A City payoff letter costs $25 and is good for 45 days, and the liens are paid or released from the proceeds at closing. Under Executive Order 2022-16, once a violation is fixed the City may settle the daily fines at the order’s guideline amounts — for example $500 on non-homestead property fixed within a year of the deadline, or $250 on a homestead — unless a foreclosure has been filed, the violation can’t be repaired, or the property was sold at a tax deed sale. Money the City spent fixing a violation itself is never reduced.
4.8★ on Google · 13 reviews · AL Cakici, owner · 433 Central Ave, 4th Floor, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Prefer to talk? Call or text (727) 258-3540
Get your cash offer
Inside city limits, code cases are handled by the City’s Neighborhood Enhancement department (2555 E. Hanna Ave., 813-274-5545). Cases are heard by the Code Enforcement Board or a Code Enforcement Special Magistrate, and the daily fines they impose become liens that run in the City’s favor. In unincorporated Hillsborough, Hillsborough County Code Enforcement handles cases; inside another city, that city’s own code office does.
One warning on the City’s page: the owner of record is responsible for resolving any active code action, and a violation left unresolved may result in a lien against the property after it is conveyed. Every open case should be on the table before closing — which is why we ask about them.
Once the board’s or magistrate’s jurisdiction has ended, the City’s Legal Department, with Neighborhood Enhancement, can negotiate the daily fines. If the violation has been fixed and the fine is above $250 (homestead) or $500 (non-homestead), the order’s guideline amounts are:
| Violation fixed | Homestead | Non-homestead |
|---|---|---|
| Within 1 year of the compliance deadline | $250 | $500 |
| 1–2 years after | $500 | $1,000 |
| 2–3 years after | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| 3–4 years after | $1,000 | $4,000 |
| More than 4 years after | $1,000 | $5,000 |
The order has a section written for sales. When the violation hasn’t been fixed and the property is being, or has been, transferred to an unrelated buyer in an arm’s-length sale, the Legal Department may offer the new owner or proposed purchaser a settlement on the same guideline terms, on condition that the violations are fixed by a set date. The offer can’t be transferred to anyone else.
A related Distressed Structure Rehabilitation Program applies to the rehabilitation of blighted properties with board or magistrate fines (ask Neighborhood Enhancement whether a house qualifies): the owner applies through Neighborhood Enhancement, pulls permits from the Construction Services Division, rehabilitates the structure, and on proof of compliance and payment of the recording costs the City waives the fines and records the releases. Active or former U.S. military members buying a property that will be their homestead can have fines reduced to $250 per lien once the violations are fixed.
In plain terms: a buyer who plans to do the repairs may be able to settle large Tampa code fines for far less than their face amount, and that can change what a house with big liens is worth. Ask any buyer how they’ve accounted for it.
The City’s list of open code enforcement records as of October 12, 2026, requested under Florida’s public records law, held 12,792 open records on 7,452 properties: 8,160 complaints, 2,676 code cases, 1,218 civil cases, 632 remedial orders and 62 demolition cases. The City’s file doesn’t include lien amounts. Full tables and the CSV: Tampa Bay code enforcement liens by the numbers.
We buy Tampa houses as-is, for our own account, from AL’s office at 433 Central Ave in downtown St. Petersburg. The lien payoffs we know about are shown in the offer math, and a licensed Florida title company settles them at closing. Closing is typically 7–21 days once the title work is clear, or on the date you pick. We’re not real estate agents and not attorneys, and this page is general information, not legal advice. If any foreclosure has been filed on the property, the City’s settlement guidelines don’t apply — talk to a Florida attorney first.
Order a payoff letter through the City’s Conduits system, run by Net Assets Corporation. It costs $25, non-refundable, arrives within 7 business days and is valid for 45 days from the date issued.
Under Executive Order 2022-16, once the violation is fixed and the board’s or magistrate’s jurisdiction has ended, the City’s Legal Department may settle the daily fines at guideline amounts that depend on homestead status and how long the fix took — from $250 on a homestead fixed within a year of the deadline to $5,000 on non-homestead property fixed more than four years after it. The guidelines don’t apply once a foreclosure has been filed, to irreparable violations, or to property sold at a tax deed sale, and money the City spent abating the violation is not reduced.
The order’s New Owner Program lets the City’s Legal Department offer a settlement to a new owner or proposed purchaser in an arm’s-length sale, on condition that the violations are fixed by a set date. The offer can’t be transferred.
Not under the executive order. The City says properties sold at a tax deed sale aren’t eligible for negotiated settlements; the purchaser can let the tax deed process finish to see what liens remain, or pay the existing liens in full.
No. HomeSellerCashOffer is not a real estate agent or broker. We buy houses directly, for our own account, as Tampete Homes LLC, and close through a licensed Florida title company.
AL Cakici · Owner, HomeSellerCashOffer (Tampete Homes LLC)
AL is the owner and manager of Tampete Homes LLC (Florida LLC L25000252906, d/b/a HomeSellerCashOffer) and buys houses in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco for its own account. He has personally purchased and assisted with 100+ real estate transactions over 10+ years across the country. He is not an attorney or a real estate agent; this page is general information drawn from the sources listed above, not legal advice. Facts checked against those sources on October 16, 2026.
“I was skeptical at first when these guys approached me about my home, but they were very knowledgeable and straightforward. They did all the work. These guys know what it means to do good business, which is unfortunately rare nowadays.”
“Working with HomeSellerCashOffer has been nothing but a positive experience. Al is extremely professional, transparent, and always a pleasure to work with. He communicates clearly, keeps the process smooth, and goes above and beyond to make sure everything stays on track”
“As an investor myself, I get bombarded from people trying to buy my houses. AL and his team were miles above anybody else that’s approached me, super knowledgeable, professional and transparent. Recommend to anyone that wants top tier service.”
Straight answers first. If selling isn’t your best move, he’ll say so.
Get My Cash Offer →