Coral Springs considers updating residency rules for sex offenders as officials seek to close loopholes in a 2005 ordinance
Coral Springs, Florida – City officials in Coral Springs are preparing to revisit a law that has gone untouched for nearly two decades, aiming to bring clarity to rules that govern where registered sex offenders can live. The decision comes amid an uptick in people with past convictions seeking to relocate to the community.
The issue is scheduled to go before the city commission at its regular meeting on Wednesday, where proposed adjustments will be debated. The ordinance in question, first passed in 2005, created restrictions on where sexual offenders and predators could establish a residence. While the measure was considered firm at the time, officials now say the law has developed gaps in wording that have complicated its enforcement.
According to city documents, “some of its language has become unclear, leading to varying interpretations.” This has become more pressing as the city reports more direct challenges from outside offenders inquiring about Coral Springs residency. “Over the past year, we have seen a noticeable increase in inquiries and relocation attempts by registered sex offenders from other cities, many of which directly reference or challenge the existing ordinance,” officials noted in a summary.
Florida state law distinguishes between sexual offenders and predators. Predators, depending on the severity of their crimes or repeated offenses, face tougher restrictions under state and local codes. While Coral Springs’ ordinance has been on the books since 2005, it has not been modernized to reflect changes elsewhere. That has left local police and attorneys navigating ambiguous language at a time when enforcement demands greater clarity.
Detectives from the Coral Springs Police Department reviewed regulations adopted in neighboring communities and found that Coral Springs’ approach could benefit from updates. Their research led to a set of recommendations now being advanced to the commission.
Among the suggested changes is an update to the section that blocks offenders from living near places where children gather. The revision would explicitly state that residency is prohibited within 2,500 feet of schools, bus stops, parks, and playgrounds. City staff say this adjustment is designed not to expand the boundaries, but to spell out more clearly the intent of the original rule.
Another key change would make the restrictions apply to offenders “regardless of the offense or conviction date.” Currently, some offenders argue that older convictions do not fall within the scope of the law as written, which has led to disputes over eligibility to move into the city.
In addition, officials want to give the city attorney the authority to file civil lawsuits against violators without having to wait for commission approval. This, they argue, would speed up enforcement and prevent delays in cases where compliance is at issue.
Notably, the ordinance does not apply retroactively to those who were already living in Coral Springs before July 1, 2005. That provision would remain intact, ensuring that longtime residents are not displaced by the revisions.
The proposed changes highlight the city’s effort to balance public safety with legal precision. Leaders stress that the modifications are not meant to rewrite the law from scratch but to make sure its purpose is carried out effectively in light of recent challenges.
The commission’s upcoming discussion will determine whether the proposals move forward, potentially reshaping how Coral Springs enforces its residency rules for years to come.
