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Owner says she demolished bathroom without permit for safety; code board amends case to next cutoff
Summary
At the Aug. 14 meeting the owner of 524 Butler Blvd explained she removed a damaged bathroom without a permit after a medical emergency and asked for time to complete permits; the board amended the compliance date to the next hearing for staff follow-up.
The Code Enforcement Board on Aug. 14 amended the case for 524 Butler Blvd (case CEB042579) to the next cutoff after the owner, Gary E. Holt, told the board she demolished a severely damaged bathroom without an after-the-fact permit because she considered the structure a safety risk.
Inspector Quinn told the board the case had originated from a citizen complaint with a first notice dated April 30, 2025. The inspector said the only work observed since the last hearing had been work done without a permit. Holt told the board he had been dealing with family illnesses and a recent hospitalization and that his stepdaughter’s house had been in disrepair; he said he directed his grandson to demolish the unsafe bathroom to reduce an open, unfenced hazard and to prevent access by others.
Holt said he had been trying to obtain the necessary permit and had been in contact with the city’s permit office and Florida Power & Light to complete the process. He told the board he understood he could be penalized for demolition without a permit but asked for additional time so he could complete the permit process and not be forced to keep the structure vacant for a year under the after-the-fact permit condition.
A board member moved to accept the city’s recommendation to amend the case to the next meeting to allow Holt time to pursue permits; the motion passed by voice vote. The owner said he would meet with his attorney and stay in touch with Inspector Quinn about progress.
