City of St. Pete Beach issues chronic nuisance order for property cleanup

In a significant move to address ongoing code violations, the City of St. Pete Beach has authorized action on a property deemed a chronic nuisance. During a recent special magistrate hearing on July 14, 2025, the magistrate determined that the property owner, Mr. Myers, has made efforts to clean up the site but has faced numerous challenges, including financial constraints and personal issues.

The city has been working with Mr. Myers since 2022 to bring the property into compliance with local codes. Despite his attempts, the property has remained in violation, prompting the city to escalate the situation to a chronic nuisance designation. This designation allows the city to intervene directly, potentially cleaning the property and charging the costs back to the owner, which could result in a lien against the property.

Mr. Myers expressed his commitment to resolving the issues, stating he now has the necessary funds to complete the cleanup within one to two weeks. The magistrate acknowledged the substantial progress made but emphasized the need for continued compliance to avoid further penalties.

The magistrate's order includes a 14-day grace period for Mr. Myers to address the remaining issues before the city may step in. This decision aims to balance the city's enforcement needs with the property owner's opportunity to rectify the situation independently.

The city remains focused on ensuring compliance and will conduct periodic checks to monitor progress. The magistrate's ruling underscores the importance of communication between the city and property owners, as Mr. Myers highlighted the need for better notification regarding code enforcement actions.

As the city moves forward, the outcome of this case will serve as a critical example of the balance between community standards and individual property rights, with the goal of fostering a cleaner and safer environment for all residents.