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Building

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1. Do I need a Building Permit?

Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy or occupant content of a building or structure, or any outside area being used as part of the building’s designated occupancy (single or mixed) or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit for the work.

The following Specific items are included in requirement for a building permit:

• Any changes to exterior doors or windows
  
• Any changes to interior entrance doors that lead from common areas to a dwelling unit and/or a storage area or mechanical closet
  
• Any changes to party and/or fire walls
  
• Any changes to Fire Sprinkler System
  
• Installation of ceramic tile, marble, terrazzo, etc.
  
• Replacement of kitchen and or vanity cabinets
  
• Changes to and/or replacement of plumbing or electrical fixtures
  

2. As a Contractor, what do I need to perform work in Highland Beach?

Contractors are required to have a Certificate of Competency (License) for the type of work they will be performing. The Town registers each contractor.

3. Where can I get an inspection result?

Inspection results are not available online. You may call the Building Department at (561) 278-4540.

4. Where do I file for a permit for the Town of Highland Beach?

Application for permits may be submitted by mail or in person 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Office located at 3616 South Ocean Blvd., (561) 278-4540.

5. Where do I file the Contractors Registration Application?

Applications for Contractors Registration may be submitted to the building department by mail or in person.

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CodeRED Emergency Notification & Alert System

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1. What is CodeRED?

The CodeRED Emergency Notification System is a fast communication service allowing the Town of Highland Beach to notify citizens of an emergency situation. It enables the city to provide mass notification quickly and easily. This service is free to all Hopkinsville residents and businesses located within our incorporated limits.

2. How Do I Register?

The following information is required to add a telephone number into the "CodeRED" database: first and last name; address (physical address, no P.O. boxes); city; state; zip code; and primary phone number. A primary phone number is most likely the identified home phone number. An alternate phone number, such as a mobile phone, can also be entered and both the primary and alternate line will be contacted in the event of an emergency. The system works with cellular phones but requires a Town of Highland Beach street address. When entering information, please fill out all of the screens because the newest data entered will replace the old data; this would include the notifications you’d like to receive as well. So, if you’d like to change the weather warnings you are signed up for, you simply resubmit your information through the Community Notification Enrollment page.
For those who are hearing impaired the sign up form offers a TDD ONLY option for tone delivery of emergency messages. Messages delivered to phone numbers marked TDD will only be delivered in a TDD/TTY format. Residents without Internet access may contact Town Hall at 561-278-4548.

THIS SYSTEM WILL BE USED FOR EMERGENCY PURPOSES OR NOTIFICATION OF INFORMATION CONSIDERED TO BE VITALLY IMPORTANT

Examples of times when the CodeRED system could be utilized: drinking water contamination, utility outage, evacuation notice, missing person, fires or floods, bomb threat, hostage situation, chemical spill or gas leak, and other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential for life safety.

3. How will I benefit from this service?

This high-speed telephone system will allow the Town of Highland Beach to contact participants to provide information about a critical situation, what action needs to be taken, and notification that the situation has been resolved.

4. What do I have to do to receive this benefit?

Initially, listed telephone numbers have been retrieved from several databases and imported into the CodeRED database, however to ensure the most accurate, up-to-date information is included it is recommended that you register your home, cell phone, or business phone number in the CodeRED database.

5. How does it work?

CodeRED delivers the important message through a high-speed telephone calling system to a phone number on the CodeRED database. Town staff will access CodeRED via a secure portal on the web. A "call area" will be marked identifying street addresses. Telephone numbers will be matched up electronically to these addresses through the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). A pre-recorded message will be sent out via the telephone with information about the incident and possibly instructions for action to be taken.

6. What should I do if I receive a CodeRED message?

* Listen Carefully

* Follow Instructions

* Don’t hang up until you hear the whole message (The message will not be repeated)

* DO NOT call 9-1-1 unless instructed to do so (You will only tie up emergency lines)

7. What should I do if I don’t receive a message?

Your area of the community may not be affected. In which case, you won’t receive a call even if it’s only a block away.

8. Will the system work with cell phones?

Yes. But, your cell phone number needs to be associated with your Town of Highland Beach address. We encourage you to register your cell phone number.

9. What is CodeRED used for?

CodeRED will be used for significant incidents and events where the timely notification of an affected population or geographic area is essential.

10. Why did CodeRED call me several times?

If there is no answer and they do not have an answering device, the number will be attempted up to 3 times.

11. Why did I get a call, but no message played?

If they answer and do not say hello, CodeRED will not begin playing automatically. It is trying to determine if is has reached a live person or answering device. If they do not say anything, it will hang up and retry the number in the next pass of the non connected numbers.

12. Why did it leave only part of the message on my answering machine?

CodeRED will leave a message on an answering device. There are many different brands and types of capturing devices for leaving a message. Occasionally something about the answering device or the beep of the device causes the system to think it has reached a live person and begins playing the message. When the message is left, it only leaves part of the message. You may call back the number you see on your Caller ID back (866-419-5000) and receive the entire message. This does not happen often.

13. Why does my phone ring once and hang up?

It has called me twice and won’t let me answer it. If they have a ring back tone, which plays a song instead of ringing, the system will interpret this as an Operator Intercept and hang up, only to retry the number. They have two options. They can remove the ring back tone or they can contact their cell phone provider and request that the phone number 866-419-5000 for CodeRED bypassed by this feature.

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Employee Intranet

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1. As a new employee, when am I eligible for vacation leave.

ARTICLE III: PROBATIONARY PERIOD; Section 6: Use of Vacation Leave - Employees will accrue, but are not eligible to use vacation time during their probationary period. Employees may request to use vacation time accrued during the probationary period prior to the end of the probationary period, but this request must be approved by both the Department Head and the Town Manager prior to use. Should an employee who uses vacation time during his/her probationary period no longer be employed at the end of the probationary period for any reason other than the death of said employee, vacation time used will be deducted from the final paycheck of said employee. Probationary employees who depart employment with the Town either voluntarily or involuntarily will forfeit all accrued vacation time.

2. If I am injured on the job, what should I do?

ARTICLE V: INJURY; Section 2: Reporting - Employees who are injured while performing their duties for the Town shall make an immediate report of the injury to their immediate supervisor. The failure of an employee to report an on-the-job injury shall be deemed to be grounds for disciplinary action. Every injury, including those not requiring medical attention, shall be reported in writing to the Department Head by the injured employee's supervisor within twenty-four (24) hours of the injury. Department Heads shall be respon¬sible for notifying the Town Manager of all injuries reported by employees under their jurisdiction and shall insure that proper written reports are prepared and forwarded to appropriate officials.

Section 3: Immediate Medical Care - If an employee is injured to such an extent that the employee requires immediate medical care, the employee shall contact the Highland Beach Fire Department and arrange to be transported to the nearest medical facility for treatment. If the need is less severe or immediate, the employee should consult the Finance Department or follow the procedure prescribed in the worker’s compensation policy.

3. When am I eligible for health and life insurance?

ARTICLE VI: INSURANCE, Section 1: Health and Life - All full-time and permanent part-time employees of the Town who are regularly scheduled to render over 20 (twenty) hours of service per week and dependents are eligible to participate in the Town group health and life insurance program. Insurance coverage shall commence after 30 days of employment, and shall cease on the employee's final day of full-time Town employment.

4. Am I allowed to work somewhere else other than the Town?

ARTICLE VII: OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, Section 1: Prohibitions - The Town of Highland Beach strongly discourages, but does not prohibit, outside employment with the following prohibitions:

The Town reserves the right to prohibit interference from outside employment in the following cases, where the outside employment:

1. Is conducted on Town time.

2. Interferes with working hours or overtime requirements of the employee's position.

3. Involves the use of Town uniforms, facilities, equipment or supplies of any kind. However, police officers who are providing a service to an individual, business, condominium building or home owner within the Town limits may be permitted to wear their uniform, provided the event host lists the Town of Highland Beach as an additional insured on their insurance policy and provides a copy of said policy to the Town prior to the function.

4. Involves the use of official information not available to the public.

5. May reasonably be construed by the public to be an official act of the Town, or that a conflict of interest exists.

6. Which reflects adversely upon the employee or the Town.

7. Which is in conflict with the employee's position with the Town. This shall include work which an employee would be expected to do as part of his/her normal duties; work requiring approval or review of the Town, or work which would tend to influence the exercise of improper judgment on any matter coming before the employee in the course of his/her Town employment.

8. The employment inhibits the employees ability to perform their job with the Town.

All employees are required to request and receive permission for outside employment. All requests for outside employment shall be in writing and state, at a minimum, the position and the number of hours per week the employee plans to work at the outside position. Requests shall be reviewed and approved by both the employee’s direct supervisor, the department head and the Town Manager. Any change in outside employment status shall require reapplication.

If an employee holds outside employment and is injured on their job with the Town, the Town shall assume no responsibility for wages lost at the outside employment as a result of the injury.

5. How and who do in need to notify if i have just changed my name or contact information?

ARTICLE XI: PAYROLL INFORMATION, Section 8: Change of Name, Address, Marital or Family Status - Employees shall report all changes in name, address, telephone number and marital or family status to the Finance Department within 72 hours.

Employees should complete a Change of Information form.

6. I am unable to report to work at my regulary scheduled time, what should I do?

ARTICLE XIV: HOURS OF WORK, ATTENDANCE AND APPEARANCE, Section 2: Reporting for Work - Employees shall report promptly at their designated working place and shall devote their entire efforts during working hours to assigned duties. In the event that an employee is unable to report for work as scheduled, his/her supervisor shall be notified by telephone or messenger within thirty (30) minutes of his/her designated starting time. In the event that the supervisor can not be reached, the employee shall attempt to contact a different supervisor, a co-worker, or their supervisors voice mail, in that order. Failure to notify the supervisor as provided herein may result in loss of all or a portion of that day's pay.

7. How should I dress for work?

ARTICLE XIV: HOURS OF WORK, ATTENDANCE AND APPEARANCE, Section 4: Appearance - Employees will dress in a manner which showcases the positive public image which the Town strives to maintain. Employees working in the police department, the post office, the utilities department and the maintenance department will be required to wear uniforms, which will be provided to the employee by the Town, unless a condition exists which prohibits the employee from wearing a uniform. Those cases will be handled on a case by case basis by the department head in that department.

Department heads will have the option of wearing uniforms or of dressing in professional attire. The Town Manager will determine proper dress attire for department heads on an individual basis.

Employees who report to work out of uniform or in improper attire will be sent home to change. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

8. What holidays are observed by the Town?

ARTICLE XVIII: HOLIDAYS, Section 1: Defined -

New Year’s Eve / New Year's Day - December 31 (1/2 day) / January 1

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - 3rd Monday in January

Presidents Day - 3rd Monday in February

Memorial Day - Last Monday in May

Independence Day - July 4

Labor Day - 1st Monday in September

Columbus Day - 2nd Monday in October

Veterans Day - November 11

Thanksgiving Day / Day after Thanksgiving - 4th Thurs. in November / Day after

Christmas Eve /Christmas Day - December 24 (1/2 day) / December 25

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Finance

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1. Where may I obtain a hard copy of a Fiscal Year Budget?

A copy may be obtained through the Town Clerk’s Office for a small copying fee.

2. What is the Town of Highland Beach’s Tax Identification Number?

The Town’s Tax Identification Number is 59-095-1822.

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Police

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1. If I accidentally call 9-1-1, what should I do?

Stay on the phone and let the Communications Officer know that it was a mistake. Also remember to place your cell phone on "Lock or Keylock" mode so that it does not dial 911.

2. Should I dial 9-1-1 if I have a non-emergency situation?

No. Please call Highland Beach’s non-emergency number at (561) 266-5800.

Never tell the Communications Officer that a situation is more serious than it really is. It is against the law to intentionally and knowingly give false information to the police or emergency services. Abuse of 9-1-1 may delay someone else's access to emergency assistance.

3. Where is your department located?

Our police station is at:
3614 S. Ocean Blvd.
Highland Beach, Florida, 33487

You can call us at (561) 266-5800.

4. How do I obtain a police report?

Police reports can be obtained at the front desk Monday-Friday (excluding holidays), from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. There is a charge off 15 cents per page for non-residents.

5. How can I get fingerprinted?

Fingerprints are done at the front desk Mon-Fri, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (best to call in advance for availability, (561) 266-5800). Fingerprinting is free to Highland Beach residents and $15 per card for non-residents. You must provide the cards.

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Sea Turtle Program

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1. When is sea turtle nesting season?

Sea turtle nesting season begins March 1st of each year and lasts until October 31st. (Ordinance # 554)

2. As a resident on the beach side, how does the Town ordinance affect me?

The key to complying with the Town ordinance is that during this eight month period (March 1st through October 31st), from dusk to dawn, all external light sources (such as pool, deck, patio or security lighting) must not be visible from the beach, or may not illuminate directly or indirectly areas seaward of the crest of the sand dune vegetation.

3. Are there sources of light that I may use during sea turtle nesting season?

There are a number of products on the market that are low-level, amber lighting that may be used as an alternative to traditional white lighting. These products are available at area home improvement stores. All beach-side property owners are encouraged to either turn out their lights, or install replacement low-level, amber lighting during turtle nesting season. The public’s cooperation is strongly encouraged.

4. Where should I report injured or Dead Sea Turtles to?

Please report injured or dead sea turtles by noting the exact location on beach, by street number or by the name of the property owner/condo to:


Gumbo Limbo Nature Center - (561) 338-1587

or

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)/Marine Research Institute - (561) 575-5407

or

FWC Law Enforcement - (888) 404-FWCC

or

Barbara James, Highland Beach Permit Holder - (561) 272-6496 More Information...

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Town FAQs

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1. What is the best way for me to contact the Mayor or one of the Commissioners?

The best way to contact the Mayor, Vice-Mayor or Commissioners, is to call Town Hall directly at (561) 278-4548 and someone will be happy to give you the appropriate direct telephone number.

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Waste Management

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1. When is Garbage Collection?

For single family residences, garbage collection occurs Monday and Thursday between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. Items must be ready by 7:00 am.
For multi-family residences (condominiums), garbage collection occurs Monday and Thursday 8:00 am until 3:00 pm. There is a Saturday collection day added for season months which are from November 16 through May 14. Collection time for this Saturday pick-up will occur from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm.

2. When is Recycling Collection?

For single family residences, recycling collection occurs Monday only between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. Items must be ready by 7:00 am.
For multi-family residences (Condominiums), recycling collection occurs Monday and Thursday 8:00 am until 3:00 pm.

3. Who is responsible for Garbage Complaints?

The Assistant to the Town Manager, Zoie Burgess. She may be reached by phone at (561) 278-4548 or by e-mail.
Email Zoie

4. When is Yard Waste Collection?

For single-family residences, yard waste collection will be provided on Monday only between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.

For multi-family residences (condominiums), there is not a yard waste collection service included in your service. However, a special once a year collection of real Christmas trees will be provided on the first Monday following January 1st. Collection will occur between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.

5. How should my yard waste be prepared?

All small loose vegetative materials such as grass, leaves, hedge cuttings, pine needles, palm seeds, etc. must be containerized in bags or cans for collection. All material must be cut to less than 6 feet in length and be less than 50 pounds per item. Do not mix any non-vegetative waste with yard waste.

6. How may I obtain new garbage containers and recycling bins?

For single family residents, garbage containers and recycling bins that are broken or that are no longer in your possession may be obtained through Town Hall. You may contact Zoie Burgess at (561) 278-4548 or by email. If you are requesting containers by email, please include your complete address, full name a contact number, the container item requested (please include color and size) and the exact reason for the request.
Email Zoie