A Florida homeowner is challenging a staggering $165,000 fine for property violations, such as cracked driveways and sagging fences, by taking her case to the state’s Supreme Court.
Sandy Martinez, a single mother living in Lantana—about 20 minutes south of Palm Beach—was even fined for how she parked her car in the driveway. Over time, her parking violations, which began in May 2019, added up to a massive total. Sometimes, when her family was visiting, she noted that two tires ended up on the grass.
After she received her initial parking citation, which was just $250, Martinez attempted to meet with the Code Enforcement Officer to show that she’d addressed the violation. However, she described those efforts as “fruitless,” leading to escalating daily fines that contributed significantly to her total, as detailed in her lawsuit against the city filed in 2021.
Mike Greenberg, her attorney, voiced in a statement that “the six-figure fine for parking on your own property is outrageous.”
Furthermore, the city also penalized her for a “minor and purely cosmetic” crack in her driveway. Martinez, unable to afford repairs, faced $75 fines every day for 215 days, which amounted to $16,125—far exceeding the cost of a new driveway, as she argued in her lawsuit.
As for the fence, it was damaged by a storm, and resolving the insurance claim took longer than expected. During this time, she accumulated $125 fines every day for 379 days, totaling $47,375.
Martinez lost her case in a lower court in 2021, but she believes the matter should now be reviewed by higher courts. She argues that Florida’s Constitution protects citizens from excessive fines and government overreach.
This situation symbolizes what some refer to as “taxation by citation.” It highlights how small towns, particularly those facing economic challenges, may rely on such fines for their budgets. The Judicial Research Institute raises concerns that city law enforcement in Florida has transformed into revenue-generating entities, with some municipalities raking in millions annually.
There was no immediate response from local officials regarding the matter.
