Daytona Beach special magistrate orders multiple property owners to fix code violations, sets Nov. 5 compliance cutoff

The City of Daytona Beach special magistrate convened Oct. 14, 2025 and heard a packed docket of property code enforcement cases. The magistrate found many respondents in noncompliance, ordered most to correct violations by the next cutoff (Nov. 5, 2025) or return for consideration of fines of up to $1,000 per day, and imposed or amended deadlines in several cases.

At the start of the session the magistrate reviewed a lien case (Pelican Bay Golf Club LLC) and, by agreement of the parties, reduced the lien and fine to $5,000, payable within 30 days. The magistrate warned the parties that failure to pay within 30 days would leave the lien and fine unchanged.

The magistrate then called a series of cases (case numbers 2–41). In many cases the respondent was not present; city code inspectors presented photographic evidence and inspection histories. Based on inspector testimony and the exhibits, the magistrate repeatedly found respondents in noncompliance and gave a uniform compliance deadline of Nov. 5, 2025 for most properties, with the standard warning that failure to comply could result in fines up to $1,000 per day thereafter.

Cases continued or given extended deadlines - JoMar Home Investments LLC (case 3): continued to Nov. 11, 2025 to permit a court-appointed translator; the respondent had appeared but did not speak English fluently. - Bay Apartments LLC (case 15): the new owner said work was underway and requested more time; the magistrate amended the compliance deadline to Jan. 7, 2026 to allow the owner to finish specified repairs and secure permits. - Cases 27 and 28 (Zoom hearings involving work without permit and a residential fence at Magnolia Avenue): magistrate amended orders to give respondents until Nov. 5, 2025 to comply; if not in compliance the court will consider fines thereafter. - Atlantic County 3 LLC (case 29, 124 Emmett St.): city reported it is in the process of purchasing the property; magistrate continued the matter to Jan. 7, 2026 at the city’s request. - John A. McCafferty (case 31, Zoom): magistrate amended the order of noncompliance and allowed until Jan. 7, 2026 to come into compliance. - R & J Estates LLC (case 34): property owner now has pathway to apply for an after-the-fact permit after a change in state law; magistrate amended compliance to Jan. 7, 2026. - William Dennison Sr. (case 35): matter continued to Jan. 13, 2026 to allow the owner to pursue licensing and permit matters. - Daytona Beach MHP LLC (case 38, Zoom): parties agreed to extend the compliance deadline to Jan. 7, 2026 to allow fence installation.

Fines imposed or amended - Darlene Brand Estate and Steven Jelinek (case 30): magistrate found the property noncompliant and imposed a civil fine of $100 per day beginning Oct. 9, 2025, accruing until compliance or a cap of $15,000. - Eagle Light Real Estate LLC (case 32, permit case): magistrate fined the respondent $100 per day commencing Oct. 9, 2025; fine accrues until compliance or a cap of $20,000. - Several adjacent nuisance properties in the Midtown redevelopment area (cases 39–41 involving outside pallet storage and truck operations) drew higher fines because of repeated complaints: the magistrate imposed fines of $1,000 per day commencing Oct. 9, 2025 for case 39 and case 40 (Daytona Universal Trucking Inc. at multiple Foot Court parcels) and ordered ongoing enforcement for case 41 with a $100-per-day tally noted in the record; the magistrate cited continuing nuisance conditions, repeated complaints and previous liens.

Other notable rulings - D and J Global Holding LLC (case 13): magistrate ordered removal of a refrigerator (deemed life-safety hazard) within 7 days and set the remainder of violations to be corrected by Nov. 5, 2025. - Several cases—Celine Vasquez appearing for Daytona Ridgewood LLC (case 18), Abigail Pitcher (case 19), and many others—were ordered to commit to compliance by Nov. 5, 2025 with the standard $1,000-per-day fines to follow if the deadline is missed.

How the magistrate handled absent respondents The magistrate routinely accepted inspector testimony, photographs and the city’s exhibits where respondents were absent and entered findings of noncompliance. In those instances the magistrate set the Nov. 5, 2025 deadline or set specific remedial tasks (for example, D and J Global Holding’s refrigerator removal within seven days). The magistrate repeatedly admonished property owners to communicate with inspectors if weather or contractor delays prevented timely compliance so the magistrate could consider good-faith efforts.

Why this matters The session compressed dozens of property cases into a single morning, producing a pattern: the special magistrate is giving a near-term compliance deadline (Nov. 5) for many properties while using longer deadlines (to Jan. 7 or Jan. 13, 2026) in situations where permits, contractor schedules or city actions (such as property acquisition) create documented dependencies. The magistrate also imposed immediate daily fines in some cases where prior enforcement had not produced change.

What residents should know - Most respondents were ordered to come into compliance by Nov. 5, 2025 or face fines; owners who need more time were instructed to coordinate with inspectors and the magistrate’s office. - Several properties with active permits or known dependency issues were given extended deadlines to Jan. 7 or Jan. 13, 2026. - Pelican Bay Golf Club LLC obtained a negotiated lien reduction to $5,000, payable within 30 days.