Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Contact BBB of Southeast Florida and the Caribbean at (561) 842-1918.To file a complaint, to apply for or view a business BBB accreditation, and for questions or comments about businesses or charitable organizations' practices visit Better Business Bureau (BBB)

2. Bicycles/Bike Paths

Bicycles are required to have a white headlight and a red rear reflector if used after dark.

Tamarac's Bike Path Project is underway. To see the project description and estimated completion dates see Capital Improvement Projects .

3. Bill Pay

For bill payment options visit Water Bill Payments.

You can pay your bill by: credit card; phone at (954) 597-3590; mail with the envelope provided in your monthly utility bill or in person, Monday - Thursday at City Hall, Room 102, 8:00 am - 5:30 pm or on Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. You can also set up recurring payments online by credit card or from your checking account by clicking on Auto Pay.

Send payment to: City of Tamarac Customer Service Division, 7525 N.W. 88th Avenue, Tamarac, FL 33321. After-hour drop boxes are located in the City Hall parking lot and at the City's Water Treatment Plant, 7803 N.W. 61st Street (on the north side of 61st Street just west of University Drive).

When you enroll in Tamarac's Automatic Payment Plan (TAPP), your entire utility bill is automatically deducted from your bank account 15 days from the billed date. To enroll in TAPP call Customer Service at (954) 597-3590.

4. Birth Certificates

To obtain a birth certificate contact Broward County Health Department's Vital Statistics Office at (954) 467-4700 or 2421A S.W. 6th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315.

5. Block Party/Private outdoor events

Business owners and community organizers (churches and social clubs) seeking to conduct outdoor events on the grounds of their business must apply for a Special Event Permit.

In addition, residents wishing to conduct a private party within a public area must also notify the City's Business Revenue Division.

Rules, regulations, and City Ordinances will apply to all events.

Complete application details, fees, and requirements will be provided by our Business Revenue Division at (954) 597-3537.

6. Blood Pressure Checks

Free blood pressure checks are available at the Tamarac Community Center every 3rd Tuesday of the month from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Contact the Social Services Division at (954) 597-3642 to confirm.

Free blood pressure checks can also be done at Tamarac Fire Stations:
Station 15 – 6000 Hiatus Road
Station 41 – 7501 N.W. 88th Avenue
Station 78 – 4801 W. Commercial Boulevard

Note: there are times that Fire personnel might not be available due to emergency call response. Call (954) 597-3800 for more information.

7. Boats, Parking Restrictions

Boats are allowed to be parked in a residential area only behind a 6 ft. opaque fence.

Veterans Memorial Park contains a small boat launch ramp into the C-14 canal.

8. Broward County

For Broward County information call (954) 831-4000 or 311, (954) 831-3940 (TTY). You may also visit www.broward.org

9. BSO – Tamarac District

Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) Tamarac provides comprehensive law enforcement services for Tamarac residents. The Tamarac District Office is located next to City Hall at 7515 N.W. 88th Avenue and is open daily 7:00 am – 10:00 pm. For non-emergency law enforcement needs, please call (954) 764-4357. To find out more information, visit BSO's website www.sheriff.org, under Law Enforcement tab select BSO District Offices and click on Tamarac.

For any threatening emergency call 911 from any phone, including cell phones without service, as long as the phone is charged. 911 calls are free from any pay phone. The 911 operators will ask many questions, because experience has shown that the first 60 seconds of every 911 call are the most critical. Operators need to determine the exact location of the emergency, the nature of the situation, whether anyone is injured and of what elements a responding officer should be aware. A deputy armed with this information can react quickly and accurately and minimize the chance that further damage will occur, or that innocent bystanders will be hurt.

BSO - Tamarac offers residents in its jurisdiction a free “Vacation Home Check” program. Deputies will drive by unoccupied residences and perform a daily perimeter check for signs of break-in or suspicious activity. To sign up call (954) 720-2225 and request a vacation home check form.

Residents may sign up for the "R U OK?" program. They will receive daily computer generated phone calls from BSO - Tamarac checking to see if they are OK. If the repeated calls are not answered, an officer will be sent to the residence to check on the well-being of the resident. Keep in mind, if you sign up for this service you cannot have an answering machine or voicemail, since the system cannot distinguish between a person picking up a phone and a voicemail/answering machine recording.

If you need information about a ticket or traffic citation, don't call the Broward Sheriff's Office or the police agency that issued it. Once the ticket is issued, it becomes part of the court process and is handled by Broward County's Clerk of the Courts. (See Traffic Citations).

(Also see Concealed Handgun Permit, Restraining Order).

10. Building Codes, Permits and Requirements

The Florida Building Code was adopted by the City and identifies what work requires permits.

Homeowner permits only apply to single family residences and not to condominiums, multifamily or commercial properties. A homeowner seeking to obtain an owner/builder permit needs the following: Permit application; proof of residence (phone or utility bill); current Florida driver's license or state ID; owner/builder affidavit and plans or documents identifying the work to be completed. Surveys, floor plans, product approvals or Notice of Agreements (NOA's) are just some examples of documents.

Visit ePermits for fee structures for all types of permits. You can also submit an application, pay permit fees and track the progress of building permits. Tamarac's building permit process usually takes approximately 5 -10 business days for minor projects and up to 30 days for larger projects.

Customers may use the interactive IVR (Integrated Voice Response) system to schedule inspections, check inspection results, and check the status of a permit by calling: (954) 597-3420. Please note that you will be required to have your pin number/phone access code available to use the IVR system.

Please contact the Building Department at (954) 597-3420 if you have questions when considering a construction project.

(Also see Inspections)

11. Bulk Trash

In single family residences, regular trash is picked up twice per week, with bulk trash and recycling picked up weekly curbside. To find out a specific pickup date, please contact Waste Management at (954) 974-7500 or check the collection map under Garbage Services.

Weekly bulk trash is limited to no more than 3 cubic yards (1 cubic yard approximately equals the size of one dishwasher). Loose material (e.g. tree trimmings) must be tied and bundled (not more than 40 lbs. and not more than 4 feet long). For bulk waste that will exceed 3 cubic yards and/or will not be properly bundled, residents must call Waste Management first to make special arrangements or the bulk waste may not be collected.

In condominiums and apartments, garbage and recycling pickup days vary and bulk trash is picked up quarterly. Please check with your HOA or property manager to find out the specific dates.

Commercially generated waste (e.g. debris generated by landscaping services, roofing contractors, etc.) will not be collected by Waste Management and is the responsibility of the homeowner. Proper disposal of waste generated by a contractor generally should be provided by the contractor.

12. Bus Transportation, Broward County

Customer Service/Rider Information Center: (954) 357-8400; Hearing impaired TTY (954) 357-8302. For the latest route and bus fare information go to www.broward.org/bct.

13. Bus Transportation, City of Tamarac

(954) 597-3649

Tamarac Transit provides the community with bus transportation service in partnership with Broward County Transit (BCT). Keep in mind, drivers are only permitted to collect exact fares; and no bus service is offered on Saturdays, Sundays, and some City holidays.

Para-Transit is available to people who are 60 years of age or older, have no other means of transportation, or are disabled: It can take you shopping, to medical appointments, banks, to the Tamarac Community Center, and pharmacies within Tamarac only. No shopping service is provided for the Kings Point communities; only medical appointments.

To take advantage of this service, please fill out an application, pay a membership fee and schedule a ride 5-7 days in advance by calling (954) 597-3649. For routes, schedules and bus fares, see Tamarac Transit brochure.

14. Business

Each business classification or activity requires a Business Revenue Receipt as per the City Code of Ordinances, Sections 12-26 and 12-27, which require a receipt for the main (primary service) use, and the accessory (secondary services) uses conducted at their business establishment.

Business Review Fees are determined from the Fee Schedule. Community Development staff will review each classification listed on the application and calculate the fees accordingly.

City ordinance also requires a safety inspection prior to an occupational license being issued for new businesses. This ensures that no previous work was done without permits, or that no unsafe conditions exist. See inspections.

The Business Revenue Division may be reached at (954) 597-3537.