The special magistrate found 12229 Caruso Drive (Sandy Creek area) in violation of Bay County Code Chapter 17 and Land Development Regulations Chapter 4 for storage and accumulation of junk, construction debris, trailers and unpermitted sheds on a vacant residential lot.

Code Enforcement presented a series of inspections dating to February 2025 showing large debris piles, cargo trailers, vehicles and at least one unpermitted shed. Investigator Chris Hubbard testified that earlier permits (a 2024 land‑disturbance permit) do not authorize placement of structures and that repeated certified notices were returned unclaimed until the current property owner contacted staff and appeared at the hearing.

The magistrate gave the respondent 20 days to lawfully dispose of all junk, tree and yard debris, construction debris and to remove trailers, vehicles, unpermitted sheds and other personal property from the vacant lot. The order notes fines will start after the 20th day (initial fine $200 and $25 per day thereafter for up to 20 days) and that unpaid abatement costs may become liens on respondent real and personal property in Bay County. A compliance hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

The magistrate emphasized that “lawfully disposing” means use of proper disposal methods, not transfer to another private parcel, and instructed the respondent to contact code enforcement to report progress so fines do not accrue if cleanup is completed before the deadline.