County Cites Out of State Paving Company, Local Owner Fined

Monroe County building officials issued citations on December 23, 2025 after an unlicensed asphalt paver from Ohio carried out work in unincorporated Monroe County without the proper permits. County records show both the out of state paving contractor and the local business owner who contracted the work were cited by the Building Department investigator. Violations for unlicensed contracting can carry fines up to $2,000.

Monroe County Building Official Rick Griffin emphasized the legal and public safety dimensions of the action. “The public needs to know that there are people out there who will try to do work like this, and it is not legal without the proper permits,” said Griffin. The county requires that property owners or licensed contractors obtain a permit for contracting work such as paving and asphalt. Property owners who allow unpermitted improvements may also face additional fines and enforcement from Code Compliance.

The incident underscores practical risks for homeowners and local businesses who hire outside contractors. Unpermitted paving work can affect drainage, road edges, and neighboring property access, and it can trigger enforcement costs and corrective orders that fall on the property owner. For properties in unincorporated Monroe County the immediate exposure is both civil and administrative, with fines and potential orders to remove or remediate work that fails to comply with county standards.

Monroe County is providing clear steps for residents who suspect they have been targeted by unlicensed contractors. Register a complaint at the Monroe County Building Department website at monroecountyfl.gov/building under the File A Contractor Complaint tab, or call the Building Department investigator at 305.289.2516. Those considering paving or similar contracting work should verify contractor licenses and confirm that required permits are pulled before work begins.

The county action this week reflects routine enforcement of licensing and permitting rules, but it also serves as a reminder that unlicensed contracting can carry immediate financial and legal consequences for local residents. Municipal oversight agencies say reporting suspected unlicensed activity helps protect neighborhood standards and ensures contractors perform work to county code.