Pensacola magistrate sets compliance dates, daily fines and court costs in multiple unpermitted-work cases

Special Magistrate John Treywick on April 8, 2025, issued compliance deadlines and, in several cases, ordered daily fines and court costs at the City of Pensacola code-enforcement hearing addressing alleged unpermitted construction across multiple properties in the city.

The rulings move several matters toward either closure, additional compliance time or daily penalties if required permits are not secured. Authorities cited included the Pensacola Municipal Code of Ordinances and state building-code requirements.

Votes at a glance

• Case 20Four-two31 — 908 East Lee Street (Valleywide Investment Properties LLC): Magistrate John Treywick approved a daily fine of $25 beginning April 8, 2025, to continue until required permits are obtained. No court costs were awarded.

• Case 24-232 — 1400 Barancas Avenue (Northwest Sunshine Rentals LLC): Officer Weekly reported that all required permits have been issued and the case was closed; no fines or costs.

• Case 24-8 — 2101 West Gregory Street (D L M B A M Properties LLC): Owner applied for the permit the morning of the hearing. The magistrate granted an extension to secure permits by April 21, 2025; if not, $25 per day will begin April 22, 2025.

• Case 24-248 — 1000 South K Street (Zelica Grotto Mothpur Inc.): Mechanical/HVAC permit issued January 16, 2025, but a fence permit remained outstanding. The magistrate found a violation, awarded court costs of $200, set compliance for April 21, 2025, and ordered a daily fine of $100 beginning April 22, 2025, if the violation is not remedied.

• Cases 23-184 (380 South C Street) and 23-185 (350 South C Street) — Grand Bayview Holdings LLC: Both properties were cited for HVAC work without permits. Allison Martin, a company representative, said the units were purchased from Synergy Homes and the company was arranging inspections and permits. The magistrate granted extensions to May 12, 2025, for both properties; if not in compliance by May 12, daily fines of $25 will begin May 13, 2025. Court costs of $200 were assessed for each property (total $400), payable within 30 days.

• Case 25-12 — 21 West Romana Street (21 West Romana LLC): Stop-work posted for façade work, fence and a rear roof cover. The magistrate set a compliance date of April 21, 2025; if not corrected, a $100-per-day fine begins April 22, 2025. Court costs of $200 were ordered.

• Case 25-22 — 2215 West Cervantes Street (Mukal Arshad Ali): A portable building was installed without a permit. The magistrate set a compliance date of April 21, 2025; if not corrected, a $100-per-day fine begins April 22, 2025. Court costs of $200 were ordered.

What was said

Special Magistrate John Treywick summarized rulings and deadlines at the bench and, when approving the first case, said, "And that fine starting today for $25 today being the eighth, will be approved." Officer Weekly, presenting several cases, said of 1400 Barancas Avenue, "As of today, all required permits have been issued for the work and the case has been closed." Allison Martin, a company representative for Grand Bayview Holdings LLC, told the magistrate, "our homes were purchased from Synergy Homes, and that all the work was completed by them ... we weren't aware that no permits were pulled," and asked for additional time to obtain permits. Chad Clark, who said he was retained to assist with permits at 21 West Romana Street, said the rear roof structure had been removed: "that shed roof ... has been taken down and done away with discarded." Those statements informed the magistrate's decisions on extensions.

Why it matters

The magistrate's orders turn on the city nd state permitting process: when permits are not obtained before work begins, the city may require remedial action, assess court costs and impose daily fines until compliance. For property owners, the rulings impose deadlines and, in some cases, immediate financial consequences if permits are not secured.

Next steps

Affected owners were given specific compliance dates and, for properties with fines or court costs ordered, directions for payment timelines or the commencement date for fines. The special magistrate adjourned the hearing after resolving the matters on the agenda.