Division of Hotels and Restaurants

Fine Payments

All information on this page is current and was last reviewed by the division on March 28, 2012.

1. Q: Why was my establishment fined?

A: The Division of Hotels and Restaurants imposes fines to ensure compliance with sanitation and safety laws it enforces through the administrative case process.

2. Q: How do I pay my fine?

A: Initially, you may pay your fine in 3 ways:

• By mail – write your check or money order made payable to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants to the following address: Division of Hotels and Restaurants, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. Please write your license number and case number on the check for proper processing.
• By telephone – you may call the Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395 to pay using your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card.
• Online – you may pay your entire fine online at our website using your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. For first time users, your initial Personal Identification Number (PIN) will be the last four digits of your social security number or for businesses, the last four digits of the Federal Employer Identification Number. If you have logged in before but you have forgotten your User ID or PIN the web site will assist you in retrieving this information by giving you some hints. If you enter an incorrect User ID and PIN three (3) times, the system will lock you out and you will need to call 850.487.1395 to have us reset your login information.

3. Q: I can't afford to pay my whole fine. Do you allow payment plans?

A: The division's fine officer can work with you to set up a payment plan. Contact information is available on the order you received.

4. Q: I have been contacted by the Municipal Services Bureau or United Collections Bureau. Who are they?

A:.  Municipal Services Bureau (MSB) and United Collections Bureau (UCB) are collections agencies used by the State of Florida, including the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to collect unpaid fines.

5. Q:  Why was my case referred to a collection agency?

A:  Your case was referred to Municipal Services Bureau or United Collections Bureau because the Division of Hotels and Restaurants imposed a fine against you and that fine is seriously overdue.  Florida law (Section 17.20 (3)(a),F.S.) requires that all past due fines be referred to a state-contracted collection agent after 120 days.

6. Q: Why was a collection fee added to my fine?

A:  Municipal Services Bureau’s and United Collections Bureau’s contract with the State of Florida authorizes them to add a collection fee to the unpaid fine.

7. Q:  How do I pay my fine after it has been referred to MSB or UCB?

A:  Once the fine has been referred to either Municipal Services Bureau or United Collections Bureau, you may no longer pay your fine directly to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. The fine payment MUST be made through MSB or UCB. Contact MSB at 1.800.568.7004 or UCB at 1.866.866.2102 to pay your fine.

8. Q:  After my fine has been referred to MSB or UCB, who should I contact to discuss my case?

A:  Once the fine has been referred to the MSB or UCB, all inquiries must be made to them. Please contact MSB at 1.800.568.7004 or UCB at 1.866.866.2102 to discuss your case.

9. Q: Can I renew my license if I owe a fine?

A: Your license renewal will be denied if your fine is overdue or if you fail to pay on your payment plan.

10. Q: My license renewal was denied because of an overdue fine. How do I renew my license?

A: You must pay your fine before your license can be renewed. Information on how to pay your fine is available above.

11. Q: Can I set up a payment plan after my license renewal was denied?

A: If your license renewal was not denied for failing to pay on a payment plan, you may be able to set up a payment plan to renew your license. The division's fine officer can work with you to set up a payment plan. Contact information is available on the order you received.

12. Q: My license renewal was denied because I failed to pay on my payment plan. How do I renew my license?

A: You must pay your fine in full before your license can be renewed. Information on how to pay your fine is available above.

13. Q: How do I renew my license after my fine has been referred to MSB or UCB?

A: You must pay your fine in full to renew your license. Once the fine has been referred to MSB or UCB, you may no longer pay your fine directly to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. The fine payment MUST be made through MSB or UCB. Contact MSB at 1.800.568.7004 or UCB at 1.866.866.2102 to pay your fine.  MSB or UCB will notify the division that your fine has been paid, but providing proof of payment to the division will speed your license renewal. Proof of payment can be mailed to the following address: Division of Hotels and Restaurants, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. Please write your license number and case number on the proof of payment.