Restitution Trust Fund

In 2003, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners created the Central Examining Boards Restitution Trust Fund ("Fund") to provide restitution to consumers due to violations of Chapter 9 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances by certified and uncertified contractors, business organizations or financially responsible officers. In order to be eligible for recovery, consumers must file a complaint against the contractor or entity that allegedly committed the violation on forms provided by the Building Code Services Division, Contractor Licensing & Enforcement Section. The consumer should include copies of contracts, cancelled checks, and other documentation supporting their claim.

The Building Code Services Division will investigate the complaint and, upon completion of the investigation, forward the complaint and any supporting documentation to a Central Examining Board or hearing officer, as appropriate. Upon a finding of probable cause, the Central Examining Board or hearing officer will hold a disciplinary proceeding to determine if a violation of Chapter 9 occurred and, if so, may order the contractor or entity to provide restitution to the consumer.

If the contractor or entity does not provide the consumer with the ordered restitution within the time period required by the Central Examining Board’s or hearing officer’s order, the consumer may apply for the restitution to be awarded from the Fund on a form provided by the Building Code Services Division. The Central Examining Board or hearing officer order should be attached to the Fund claim form. The consumer is eligible to receive the restitution amount contained in the order or $5,000, whichever is less.