Homeowners in Hialeah are receiving municipal violation notices requiring them to remove the concrete or asphalt in front of their homes -in the area known as swale- and replace it with grass.
In addition to making the change, they are required to pay an initial fine of 100 dollars, according to a report by Telemundo 51.
The main complaint of those affected is that these conditions already existed when they purchased their properties, and that the city itself conducted occupancy inspections at the time of purchase, without noting any irregularities.
The neighbors' question: "Why now?"
Carlos Rodríguez, who has been the owner of his home in Hialeah for seven years, is one of those affected.
He received a civil notice concerning a section of asphalt in front of his house that, according to him, had been there since before he acquired the property.
“Why now? That’s the question, why now?” questioned the resident in statements to the mentioned press outlet.
“The fine is for the asphalt, they want me to remove it,” he explained; and pointed out that the city conducted its inspection at the time of purchase and did not mention anything.
Rodríguez emphasized that the situation goes far beyond the initial 100 dollars, as removing the asphalt also requires obtaining a municipal permit, which incurs additional costs.
“I don’t think it’s fair for the owner to have to pay it,” he stated.
González summarized the collective frustration with a warning that goes beyond the initial fine: "Aside from the taxes, they want to take money from me for that, because it's not just the fine, it's what comes after the fine."
The lawyer: "You don't have to pay."
The lawyer Ari Pregen, legal representative of Rodríguez and specialized in defense before the Special Magistrate of Hialeah in code compliance cases, argues that property owners have strong grounds to challenge these sanctions.
According to Pregen, the swale legally belongs to the public right-of-way, so residents cannot be held responsible for preexisting conditions in that area.
"It's almost a double taxation. You have to pay to maintain the swale and then the city fines you for it," the lawyer stated.
Pregen was categorical about the options available to those affected: "You do not have to pay," he said, justifying his stance on "the constitutional rights to fight for something you are not responsible for."
A neighbor estimates $7,000 to comply with the ordinance
Another affected resident, Yarima González, had reported her case weeks earlier and provides a more comprehensive picture of the real economic impact of the measure.
González estimated that complying with the city's requirements would cost him approximately $7,000, including the removal of concrete, the installation of grass, and the renovation of vehicle access.
“I practically need to remove all the cement from the front of my house, lay down grass, and make a new driveway… when I got the estimate, it came out to about 7 thousand dollars,” he explained to Telemundo 51.
The resident also pointed to the origin of the situation: “It’s something new that was instituted by the new mayor of Hialeah”, she stated.
González stated that Mayor Bryan Calvo contacted her personally to discuss a possible solution, but time passed without any results.
“It has been more than a month and nothing. I haven't heard anything from them,” she lamented.
The city remains silent in the face of the complaints
Telemundo 51 reached out to Mayor Calvo's office multiple times over the course of more than a month without receiving any official response.
Calvo took office as mayor on January 12, 2026, becoming, at 27 years old, the youngest mayor in the history of Hialeah and the state of Florida, after winning the November 2025 elections with over 52% of the votes.
Since arriving, her administration has intensified the enforcement of various municipal ordinances.
According to information obtained by Telemundo 51, there are approximately 60 properties in Hialeah facing the same situation.
The legal framework that supports the notifications is the Stormwater Ordinance of 2018, which prohibits paving swales as it prevents water from infiltrating the soil.
The current regulations state that each day of violation may incur a civil penalty of up to $500, and unpaid fines become liens on the property with an annual interest of 12%, blocking future sales or refinancing.
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