Summary
The City of Safety Harbor code enforcement board accepted an affidavit of noncompliance and extended the compliance date for the vacant property at 660 Tenth Avenue North to Nov. 17, 2025, after a representative for the estate said a roofing contractor had been engaged and a permit was pending.
The City of Safety Harbor Code Enforcement Board on Aug. 20 accepted an affidavit of noncompliance in the case against the Lucy Burton Estate for the vacant property at 660 Tenth Avenue North and voted unanimously to extend the compliance date to Nov. 17, 2025. The board's action pauses the accrual of fines during the extension period; the board's attorney explained that if the property remains noncompliant after Nov. 17 the prior daily fine ($150 per day as recorded in earlier proceedings) would resume.
City compliance staff summarized that the property had previously been found in violation on March 19, 2025, for multiple exterior deficiencies including an absent roof and other vacant-structure issues. Paul Bushey, the community compliance officer, told the board the property has been abandoned for some time and he offered previously accepted photographic evidence showing the structure's condition. City records indicate the board had entered an earlier order with a compliance date of July 18, 2025.
Joseph Burton, who identified himself as the decedent's older brother and a representative for the estate, addressed the board and said the family is now moving to repair the property. He said a roofer had been retained and that he expected to have permits submitted and work underway; when asked whether the work, including replacing the roof, reconnecting water and power and completing necessary demolition of a porch area, could be done within 60 days, Burton asked for 90 days. After discussion, a board member amended the motion and the board set a compliance date of Nov. 17, 2025, to allow time for permitting and repairs. "I was basically taking over the house now," Burton told the board; "I'm trying to push this as best as I can."
Board members briefly reviewed the code sections at issue. The clerk recited the ordinance subsections listed in the affidavit of noncompliance: Section 5.25 (nuisances/abandoned structures), Section 5.17 (exterior structure maintenance), Section 5.19 (vacant structures), and Section 11.2 (sanitary facilities). Bushey said the city had received recent contact from the roofing contractor indicating difficulty obtaining a county roof permit but that the contractor had been engaged.
A motion to extend the compliance date on case CEB24-0248 was made and seconded; the board discussed and then voted 6-0 in favor of changing the compliance date to Nov. 17, 2025. The board clerk and chair explained that the board order reflecting the extension will be mailed to the address on record (3433 Third Avenue South, Unit 14, St. Petersburg) and that if the property is not brought into compliance by Nov. 17 the previously ordered fine of $150 per day would begin to accrue.
Board members and staff advised that, if the property owner completes the work earlier, the owner may request a reinspection to have the matter closed. The board also noted options available to owners for sanitation and other code-related corrections and said staff will remain the point of contact for scheduling reinspections and confirming permit status.
The board took the action after receiving the affidavit of noncompliance and hearing the estate representative's statement on contracting and permitting timetables. The extension preserves the board's prior findings but adjusts the deadline for compliance to allow the estate time to complete repairs and obtain necessary permits.
