How fast can you close on my house?

We can close in as little as 7-21 days depending on funding and title work. You choose the closing date that works best for your timeline.

Do I need to make repairs before selling?

No. We buy houses in any condition - as-is. No repairs, no cleaning, no staging required. We handle everything after closing.

Are there any fees or commissions?

No. There are no realtor fees, no commissions, and we cover all closing costs. The offer we make is the amount you receive.

What types of properties do you buy?

We buy single family homes, townhouses, rowhouses, condos, multifamily properties, duplexes, triplexes, land, and infill lots in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida.

Do you buy houses in foreclosure?

Yes. We specialize in helping homeowners avoid foreclosure with a fast cash sale. We can close quickly to help you protect your credit and walk away with cash.

Can you buy my house if it has problem tenants?

Yes. We buy tenant-occupied properties including those with problem tenants. We handle the tenant situation after closing so you can move on stress-free.

Do you buy inherited or probate properties?

Yes. We specialize in buying inherited and probate properties. We understand the process and can work with your attorney or handle properties still in probate.

What if my house has code violations or liens?

We buy houses with code violations, liens, title issues, and other problems that make traditional sales difficult. We handle the resolution as part of the purchase.

St. Johns County Code Violations: Unsafe Buildings, STR Fines & Compliance Solutions

In St. Johns County, code enforcement is managed by the Code Enforcement Division and adjudicated by a Special Magistrate. While the county is known for its beautiful historic districts and beaches, it maintains strict standards under the Land Development Code (LDC) and the Unsafe Building Abatement Code (Ordinance 2000-48).

For 2026, the County has increased its focus on Short-Term Rental (STR) compliance and Unpermitted Construction. If you own a vacation rental in St. Augustine or a property with unpermitted additions, receiving a “Notice of Violation” can lead to daily fines that attach to your property as a lien.

This guide explains the 2026 Fine Schedule, how the Special Magistrate hearing process works, and how to sell your property to a cash buyer to resolve these compliance issues effortlessly.

The 3 Most Common Code Violations in St. Johns County

St. Johns County inspectors respond to complaints regarding safety, zoning, and neighborhood standards. These are the three most common citations we see:

1. Unsafe Building Abatement (Ordinance 2000-48)

The Issue: The County can declare a structure “unsafe” if it is dilapidated, unsanitary, or structurally unsound.
The Process: You will receive a notice to repair or demolish the structure within a set timeframe.
The Consequence: If you fail to comply, the County is authorized to demolish the structure and place a Demolition Lien on the land for the cost of the work plus administrative fees. This lien accrues interest at 8% per year.

2. Short-Term Rental (STR) Violations

The Rules: St. Augustine and unincorporated St. Johns County have strict registration and frequency rules for vacation rentals (AirBnB/VRBO). Nightly rentals are prohibited in certain residential zones (RS-1 & RS-2).
The Fine: Operating an unregistered rental or renting for less than the minimum required nights can trigger fines of up to $250 per day for the first offense and $500 per day for repeat offenses.

3. Unpermitted Work (After-the-Fact Permits)

The Issue: Building a deck, fence, or addition without a permit is a common violation in Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine Beach.
The Fix: You must apply for an “After-the-Fact” permit, which typically costs double the standard permit fee. You may also be required to tear down the work to expose framing/wiring for inspection.

The 2026 Civil Fine Schedule

If a violation is not corrected by the deadline, the case is referred to the Special Magistrate. The Magistrate has the authority to impose daily civil fines that run until compliance is achieved.

Violation Type	Daily Fine	Maximum Penalty
First Violation	Up to $250 / day	Unlimited
Repeat Violation	Up to $500 / day	Unlimited
Irreparable Violation	$5,000 (One-time)	$5,000

Note: Once recorded, these fines become a lien against the property. The County can foreclose on this lien after 3 months if unpaid.

Your Options: Compliance or Sale?

Option 1: Correct the Violation

For Unsafe Buildings: You must hire a licensed contractor to bring the structure up to current Florida Building Code or demolish it yourself.
For STRs: You must cease renting immediately and pay any accrued fines to clear the case.

Option 2: Special Magistrate Hearing

You have the right to appear before the Special Magistrate to contest the violation.

The Reality: The Magistrate serves as a judge for code cases. If the violation is proven (e.g., photos of unpermitted work or online rental listings), they will issue an Order of Enforcement imposing the fines.

Option 3: Sell “As-Is” (Resolve the Lien)

If you are tired of dealing with County inspectors or cannot afford the renovations required to lift an “Unsafe Building” order, selling to a cash buyer is a professional solution.

We Buy St. Johns County Properties with Violations.

We Handle Unsafe Buildings: We buy properties in any condition, including those with active demolition orders. We take over the abatement process.
We Resolve STR Fines: If you have accrued fines for illegal short-term renting, we can often negotiate these down or pay them off at closing.
We Close Fast: We can close in as little as 14 days, stopping the daily fines from accumulating further.

Important Contact Information

St. Johns County Code Enforcement
- Address: 4040 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32084
- Phone: (904) 209-0734
- Website: sjcfl.us/code-enforcement
Building Department (Permitting)
- Phone: (904) 827-6800

Resolve Your Code Violation Today.

If you have received a Notice of Violation or are facing a Special Magistrate hearing, fill out the form below. We provide fair cash offers for properties with code issues in St. Johns County.

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Areas We Serve in St. Johns County

We help homeowners with code violations across the county, including:

More Resources for St. Johns County Homeowners

Looking for a standard sale? Visit our main page for We Buy Houses in St. Johns County.
Facing Eviction? If you have bad tenants and code violations, visit our guide on Eviction Process in St. Johns County.
Behind on Taxes? See our guide on Tax Delinquency in St. Johns County.
Inherited a House? Visit our guide on Probate & Inheritance in St. Johns County.
Back to Main Guide: Return to our overview on Code Violations & Red Tags.

Disclaimer: Consistent Homebuyers is a real estate investment firm, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice regarding Code Enforcement hearings or land use zoning. We recommend consulting with a St. Johns County real estate attorney.