Lien Amnesty Program

**READ BEFORE APPLYING. YOU MAY ACCESS THE LINK TO OUR ONLINE APPLICATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE** 

The purpose of the City's Lien Amnesty Program is to provide eligible property owners an opportunity to resolve outstanding code enforcement liens by offering a limited-time reduction of fines as authorized by the City Commission.  This program aims to encourage property owners to bring their properties into compliance with the City’s Code of Ordinances and/or Florida Building Code, promoting community health, safety, and aesthetic standards.  Interested property owners should review the following information and standards to first, see if they are eligible for this program, and second, to fully understand when and how to make application to the City as any errors or omissions may cause an applicant to become ineligible while also forfeiting their application fee.  Our team stands ready to assist you through this process. Should you need assistance you may call us at (954) 390.2151, or email us at codecompliance@wmpd.org.  Thank you!

AMNESTY PERIOD
The Lien Amnesty Program shall be in effect from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.   During this period, eligible property owners may apply for a reduction in fines.  One will be eligible for amnesty consideration if their application and non-refundable application fee payment is received by the City within this timeframe.

REDUCTION CONSIDERATIONS AND PAYMENT
The following reductions shall be administered as authorized by the City Commission:

July 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Homesteaded Properties:            90%
Non-Homesteaded Properties:   75%

April 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026
Homesteaded Properties:            80%
Non-Homesteaded Properties:   65%

The date an application and application fee is received by the City determines the reduction amount.  Any reduction granted shall be contingent upon payment to the City within ninety (90) calendar days from the time the City provides written notice of approval to the property owner. If the ninetieth day falls on a day the City is closed, payment shall be made the first day the City is open.  Failure to pay within the required time shall result in reinstatement of the original lien amount, and the property becoming ineligible for the program.

ELIGIBILITY
In order to be eligible for the Lien Amnesty Program, applicants shall meet the following criteria:

  1. The property must be located within the jurisdiction of the City of Wilton Manors. 
  2. Homesteaded and non-homesteaded properties are eligible.
  3. The applicant must be the current owner of record for the property up through and including the date the lien is satisfied. 
    1. The source for verification of ownership is the Broward County Property Appraiser (BCPA) records;
    2. The source for verification of ownership if a property is listed under a corporation is the State of Florida Division of Corporations;                                                                                                                                                                                                                           i. The applicant shall be listed as a registered agent or authorized person. 
  4. Property owners with multiple code liens on a property shall apply for a reduction of each lien on the property simultaneously under the Lien Amnesty Program;
  5. The property shall be in compliance with the City’s Code;
    1. Any and all violations on the property shall be complied prior to applying; and
    2. No application shall be processed unless and until a code compliance officer verifies the subject property is in compliance with the City’s Code.
  6. Property owners shall not have active violations on any property they own in the City;
  7. Property owners shall not have any outstanding real estate taxes or other sums due to the City;
  8. Each lien shall have a minimum face value of $1,000.00;
  9. No lien shall exceed a total face value of $250,000 at the time the application is submitted;
  10. Should an application be submitted and then found by the City not to meet the minimum standards for submission, the application shall be rejected with written notice provided to the applicant.  The applicant may reapply once the minimum standards have been met.
  11. The following liens and fines are not eligible for the Lien Amnesty Program:
    1. Non-residential properties;
    2. Residential properties with three (3) or more units;
    3. Liens arising from Unsafe Structures Board actions and orders; 
    4. Liens arising from abatement actions, including but not limited to nuisance abatement, are not eligible until all code violations have been complied, and the City has been paid in full for costs incurred to abate violations;
    5. Liens arising from the Building Safety Inspection Program are not eligible until all requirements of the Building Safety Inspection Program are satisfied including but not limited to required repairs;
    6. Liens resulting from repeat violations are not eligible;
    7. Fines imposed for dog bites and solid waste franchise violations are not eligible; 
    8. Utility liens are not eligible; and
    9. Liens the City has taken foreclosure action against in County court at the direction of the City Commission.  Once the City Commission provides official approval for the City to seek foreclosure action, any associated liens shall become ineligible for this program.   

APPLICATION / APPLICATION AND LIEN RELEASE FEES 
Eligible property owners shall submit a formal application to the City during the amnesty period, and as directed by the City. A non-refundable application fee payment in the amount of $200.00 that covers total costs associated with processing individual requests for lien amnesty shall be submitted with the application. Incomplete applications will be rejected, and the applicant will forfeit their application fee.  A non-refundable release of lien fee in the amount of $415.00 shall be submitted to the City prior to the City releasing any lien.  

APPEALS
The City’s lien amnesty program shall have no appeal process, and the determination by the Chief of Police or department designee to approve or reject requests for lien amnesty shall become final.  

APPLYING TO THE LIEN AMNESTY PROGRAM
Eligible property owners may apply for this program. Before applying, please make sure you have all required information before making application as errors and omissions may cause an application to be rejected and a property owner forfeiting their application fee and becoming ineligible for this program. To access our online application, click HERE.

APPLY ONLINE BY CLICKING HERE