Fort Pierce special magistrate orders dozens of code-enforcement fixes, reduces two fine judgments

Special Magistrate Jamie Barrow on Oct. 15 presided over a Fort Pierce special-magistrate hearing that produced a string of orders requiring property owners and businesses to correct code violations, with compliance deadlines ranging from seven to 45 days and fines that will start if owners do not comply.

The hearing addressed dozens of matters including lot-clearing and nuisance-abatement orders, certificate-of-use enforcement for small businesses, sign-repair orders after a June storm, a parking citation, a nonoperative-vehicle matter and two contested financial orders: a Massey hearing that reduced a vendor/abatement charge to $5,101.13 and a lien-reduction request in which the magistrate waived fines because of the owner’s documented medical emergency.

Why it matters: the magistrate’s rulings determine whether the city will assess daily fines, move to abate nuisances at property owner expense, suspend utilities for unpermitted businesses, or accept reduced payment agreements. Several orders also give property owners short windows to obtain building permits or to complete repairs before fines begin.

The court repeated the standard finding used through the session. "It is this court's finding that a violation does exist and that the following be ordered," Barrow said repeatedly when announcing rulings.

What the magistrate ordered (highlights) - Sign repairs after storm damage: At 5750 Orange Avenue (case CE-2025-335, owner Palm Way…