Liens

(a)

A certified copy of an order imposing a fine or a fine plus costs may be recorded in the public records of Hillsborough County and shall thereafter constitute a lien against the land on which the violation exists and upon any other real or personal property owned by the violator(s). Upon petition to the circuit court, such order shall be enforceable in the same manner as a court judgment by the sheriffs of the state, including execution and levy against personal property, but such order shall not be deemed to be a court judgment except for enforcement purposes.

(b)

A fine imposed pursuant to this chapter shall continue to accrue until the violations are corrected or until judgment is rendered in a suit filed pursuant to this chapter, whichever occurs first.

(c)

A lien arising from a fine imposed pursuant to this chapter runs in favor of the city and the city may execute a satisfaction or release of such a lien.

(d)

The CEB or CESM may authorize the city attorney's office to foreclose any unpaid lien or to sue to recover a money judgment for the amount of the lien plus accrued interest after three (3) months from the filing date of the lien. No lien created pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may be foreclosed on real property that is homestead under Section 4, Article X of the State Constitution. Actions for money judgments under this chapter may be pursued only on fines levied after October 1, 2000, and the money judgment provisions of this chapter shall not apply to personal or real property covered by § 4(a), Art. X, of the Florida Constitution.

(e)

No lien provided under this chapter shall continue for a period of longer than twenty (20) years after the certified copy of an order imposing a fine has been recorded, unless within that time an action is commenced pursuant to section 9-14 in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(f)

In an action to foreclose on a lien or for money damages the prevailing parties are entitled to recover all costs, including a reasonable attorney's fee, incurred in the action. The city shall be entitled to collect all costs incurred in recording and satisfying a valid lien.

(g)

The continuation of the lien affected by the commencement of the action shall not be good against creditors or subsequent purchasers for valuable consideration without notice, unless a notice of lis pendens is recorded.

(Ord. No. 2015-50, § 22, 4-16-15)