Pinellas County adopts lien forgiveness package
February 25, 2021 - The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners has adopted a lien forgiveness resolution and approved amendments to the county code. The measures are designed to encourage code enforcement compliance, streamline the condemnation and demolition of hazardous buildings and structures, and reduce undue delays for reinvestment opportunities, according to a news release. The action authorizes the county's code enforcement department to reduce liens in unincorporated parts of the county. Liens are capped at $20,000 per violation for properties in use as single-family homes and $100,000 per violation for properties such as multi-unit residences and commercial and industrial buildings. A hardship committee can reduce liens for residents facing particularly difficult circumstances once their violations have been resolved. A predictable process for reducing liens is an incentive to prospective property owners or an organization such as Habitat for Humanity to rehabilitate properties, county officials said.