# Fla. Stat. § 161.054: 161.054 Administrative fines; liability for damage; liens

> Florida · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.054

## Section

- **Citation:** Fla. Stat. § 161.054
- **Heading:** 161.054 Administrative fines; liability for damage; liens
- **Jurisdiction:** Florida
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Florida Code / Title XI / Chapter 161 / Part I / Section 161.054

## Text

(1) In addition to the penalties provided for in ss. 161.052, 161.053, and 161.121, any person, firm, corporation, or governmental agency, or agent thereof, refusing to comply with or willfully violating s. 161.041, s. 161.052, or s. 161.053, or any rule or order prescribed by the department thereunder, shall incur a fine for each offense in an amount up to $15,000 to be fixed, imposed, and collected by the department. Each day during any portion of which such violation occurs constitutes a separate offense.

(2) Whenever any person, firm, corporation, or governmental agency, or agent thereof, knowingly or by gross negligence violates any of the provisions of s. 161.041, s. 161.052, or s. 161.053 so that damage is caused to sovereignty lands seaward of mean high water or to beaches, shores, or beach-dune systems, including animal, plant, or aquatic life thereon, such violator shall be liable for such damage. If two or more persons, firms, corporations, or governmental agencies, or their agents, cause damage, and if liability for such damage cannot be apportioned, each violator shall be jointly and severally liable for the damage. If, however, liability for such damage can be apportioned, each violator is liable only for that portion of the damage and subject to that portion of the fine attributable to his or her violation.

(3) The imposition of a fine or an award of damages pursuant to this section shall create a lien upon the real and personal property of the violator, enforceable by the department as are statutory liens under chapter 85. The proceeds of such fines and awards of damages shall be deposited in the Florida Coastal Protection Trust Fund.

(4) Fines imposed by the department or damages awarded shall be of such amount so as to ensure immediate and continued compliance with the provisions of ss. 161.041, 161.052, and 161.053.

(5) Any applicant for a permit pursuant to s. 161.041, s. 161.052, or s. 161.053 shall be denied a permit if a lien imposed upon the property pursuant to the provisions of this section is outstanding against the applicant; however, the department may authorize a permit after the fact in accordance with s. 161.041, s. 161.052, or s. 161.053, conditioned upon a resolution of the violation.

History: s. 4, ch. 80-183; s. 3, ch. 83-247; s. 35, ch. 85-55; s. 2, ch. 86-138; s. 15, ch. 87-97; s. 30, ch. 91-45; s. 894, ch. 95-147; s. 3, ch. 96-321; s. 6, ch. 2015-229; s. 4, ch. 2020-158.

## Nearby sections

- [Fla. Stat. § 161.011 161.011 Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.011.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.021 161.021 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.021.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.031 161.031 Personnel and facilities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.031.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.041 161.041 Permits required.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.041.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.042 161.042 Coastal construction and excavation in barrier beach inlets.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.042.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.051 161.051 Coastal construction by persons, firms, corporations, or local authorities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.051.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.052 161.052 Coastal construction and excavation; regulation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.052.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.053 161.053 Coastal construction and excavation; regulation on county basis.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.053.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.054 161.054 Administrative fines; liability for damage; liens.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.054.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.055 161.055 Concurrent processing of permits.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.055.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.061 161.061 Coastal construction serving no public purpose, endangering human life, health, or welfare, or becoming unnecessary or undesirable.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.061.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.071 161.071 Prosecuting officers to assist enforcement of this part.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.071.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.081 161.081 Powers of Department of Legal Affairs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.081.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 161.082 161.082 Review of innovative technologies for beach nourishment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.082.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXI_C161_PI_S161.054. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.