Selling a House With Code Liens or Open Permits in Opa-locka: A Seller’s Guide
A code enforcement lien or an old open permit does not stop you from selling a house in Opa-locka, but it changes how the sale works. This guide covers what the city requires, how to find out what is recorded against your property, and what your options are.
Can You Sell a House With a Lien on It in Opa-locka?
Yes. A lien does not block a sale by itself, but it stays with the property. Either the seller clears it before closing, or the buyer agrees to take it on. Most buyers who need a mortgage will not take it on, which is why houses with liens usually sell to cash buyers.
The Opa-locka Re-Occupancy Certificate
Under Opa-locka Code Sec. 22-61, the city requires a certificate of re-occupancy before a single-family home, duplex, triplex or townhouse is sold. The city inspects for zoning and code compliance, including uncorrected building violations, and has 30 days to do it. An expedited inspection is available for a higher fee. The same section says the city will not issue the certificate until outstanding violation notices are complied with and city liens are satisfied.
Hialeah has a similar rule with its own fees and steps, covered in our guide to the City of Hialeah re-occupancy certificate.
How to Find Code Enforcement Liens and Open Permits
Order two searches from the city, because the lien search does not include open permits. The City of Opa-locka lien search request form covers water and sewer, code enforcement violations, lot clearing and special assessments. Open permits are a separate request.
| Search | Standard | Rush (24 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Lien search, per folio | $65 (5 to 7 days) | $100 |
| Open permit search | $50 (5 days) | $100 |
Why Code Enforcement Liens Grow
Once a fine is recorded it becomes a lien on the property, and it keeps growing for as long as the violation is left alone. Under Sec. 2-556 of the city code, unpaid recorded fines and costs also accrue interest at 18 percent a year, and anyone who buys the property takes it subject to the recorded order. A lien that started small can be far larger ten years later.
How to Clear Code Enforcement Liens
The order matters. In our experience the city will not discuss settling a lien until the property is back in compliance. That means correcting the violation first, getting it re-inspected, and only then going to the city to settle what is owed. If the violation is an addition or other work done without a permit, compliance can mean plans, permits and inspections before the lien is even on the table.
Selling a House With Liens As-Is in Opa-locka
If the lien is already there and the fines have been running for years, the simplest route is usually to sell the house as-is to a cash buyer and let the buyer deal with the city. We buy houses in Opa-locka with the liens still open. After closing, we bring the property up to code and then settle the lien with the city ourselves. You do not have to fix the violation or negotiate with the city to sell to us.
One house we bought in Opa-locka had a lien that was ten years old, for an addition and for commercial trucks parked at the property. It had grown to more than $50,000. We bought the house with the lien on it, got the property into compliance, and then went to the city to pay the fines. For the county side, see our guide to selling a house with open permits or unpermitted work in Miami.
City of Opa-locka Contact
City of Opa-locka, City Hall, 780 Fisherman Street, Opa-locka, FL 33054. Phone 305-953-2868.
Sources: Opa-locka Code of Ordinances (Sec. 22-61, Sec. 2-556 and Sec. 2-658) and the City of Opa-locka lien search request form. Checked October 2026. Fees and procedures can change, so confirm with the city before you rely on them.