Board orders repairs and residential rental business tax receipt for 904 Vine Avenue; fines set

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Clearwater Municipal Code Enforcement Board on Sept. 24 ordered exterior repairs and the acquisition of a residential rental business tax receipt at 904 Vine Avenue and set separate fines for each outstanding violation.

Inspector Gregory Dixon presented case 93-25, describing rotten wood and faded paint on the front of the house and reporting two rental business tax receipts (VTRs) that appeared to be out of business. "Compliance we met for the exterior surface by replacing any defective structural or decorative elements... Compliance we met for the BTR by obtaining a residential rental business tax receipt for the property," Dixon said as he explained the corrective measures staff would require.

The board moved to find the respondent in violation and entered orders requiring correction on or before Nov. 1, 2025. The order specifies a fine of $150 per day for the exterior-surface violation and a fine of $50 per day for the business tax receipt violation if the respondent does not comply by that date; as with other orders, unpaid fines and fees three months after a lien is filed may trigger foreclosure, collection, or settlement actions by the city.

Context Dixon said the city received the certified-mail return and that he had spoken with two men at the hearing who identified themselves as the owner and his son; those individuals told the inspector they believed they could meet the compliance date. The inspector reported no open permits for the repair work and provided photographs of the property taken during inspections.