Bright blue roof on Coral Springs home sparks ongoing code enforcement battle with city officials
Coral Springs, Florida – In the quiet, uniform neighborhood of Coral Springs Country Club, one house has drawn the attention of neighbors and city officials alike. Its sky-blue roof, vivid and unlike any other in the community, is now at the center of a legal battle between the homeowners and the city’s code enforcement department.
The home, located at 11041 NW 29 Street, belongs to Joshua Wydra and Cinthya Andino, who purchased the property on July 6, 2023. At the time of sale, online listings showed the house with a tan exterior and a standard brown roof — a look that matched the community’s aesthetic and, more importantly, its regulations. But at some point after the purchase, the homeowners decided to give the house a makeover. The exterior walls were painted white, and the roof was transformed into a bright blue.
City officials say that’s a problem.
According to Coral Springs’ architectural guidelines, property owners must submit paint color choices for review and approval before making changes. These rules are intended to preserve the visual harmony of neighborhoods, something city leaders argue helps protect property values and maintain community standards.
The issue began formally on April 4, 2024, when a city code enforcement officer issued a citation for the blue roof. The homeowners were given 60 days to comply with the rules by submitting a paint application and possibly repainting the roof, depending on the city’s decision.
Wydra questioned how the city had discovered the violation. On April 8, during a phone call with a code enforcement officer, he asked if someone had reported the home or if the city had been browsing “public stuff,” possibly hinting at social media. The officer claimed the blue roof was noticed during routine fieldwork and denied acting on a complaint.
“He then accused me of visiting his property based on an anonymous complaint made on public stuff,” the officer noted. “I stated it was merely a coincidence. He again began to question my role and responsibilities with code.”
Despite the initial tension, city officials granted Wydra and Andino extra time to comply — three more months, followed by another three after Wydra said he planned to challenge the legality of the code.
The city held off enforcement while awaiting the outcome. But by January 2, 2025, the roof was still bright blue, and the city had not received any paint application from the homeowners. During that inspection, Wydra told officials that his attorney had contacted the city’s legal department. He also insisted that the local ordinances didn’t require paint approval for residential roofs.
“He also stated there will be an investigation of the department,” the city inspector noted at the time.
As the standoff dragged on, the city took the matter before a special magistrate on March 20, 2025. The magistrate reviewed the case and ruled that Wydra and Andino had indeed violated city architectural codes by painting the roof without approval.
The couple was ordered to repaint the roof by May 5 or face a fine of $100 per day until they complied. But rather than repaint, the homeowners chose to fight back once more — this time in court. On April 18, they filed an appeal with the Broward County Circuit Court in hopes of overturning the magistrate’s decision.
The legal filing is the latest twist in a dispute that, while centered on a paint color, has grown into a broader conflict over property rights, city oversight, and how far local governments can go in regulating personal taste.
While Coral Springs officials argue that the guidelines are clear and necessary for neighborhood consistency, Wydra appears to believe the rules are overly restrictive and possibly unenforceable. It’s unclear whether other homeowners in the area have had similar issues, but the case is now drawing attention beyond just the Coral Springs Country Club subdivision.
City officials have not commented publicly on the appeal but have stood by the enforcement process. Their position is that the rules exist for a reason — and that every homeowner, regardless of personal style, must follow them.
As of now, the roof remains unchanged, its bold color standing out against the neutral tones of the homes around it. Whether the blue stays or must be repainted may ultimately be decided by a judge.
But one thing is certain — in a city where most roofs blend quietly into the background, this one has sparked a conversation far louder than its color.
