Town of Highland Beach magistrate finds permit violations at five properties; orders compliance and costs

On April 22, 2025, a special magistrate for the Town of Highland Beach found five properties in violation of local building-permit or recertification rules and issued orders requiring owners or associations to obtain permits within set deadlines or face daily fines.

The findings affect two individual condominium units and three condominium association matters involving concrete-restoration permits and expired inspections. The magistrate set May 8, 2025, as the date certain for multiple compliance deadlines and assessed court costs in several cases; in two association cases the town waived prosecution costs.

Why this matters: Building permits, inspections and condominium recertification are legal prerequisites designed to protect structural safety and public welfare. Missed inspections, expired permits or missing recertification documentation can lead to escalating fines and, for condominium associations, can delay required structural repairs.

Case summaries and outcomes (magistrate orders and key facts):

CC24533 — 3420 South Ocean Boulevard, Unit 3Q (Dennis and Tatiana Petro). Adam Mosowski, the town of Highland Beach code compliance officer, said he inspected the property on Dec. 26, 2024, and that a permit application was submitted on Feb. 5, 2025, with the permit issued on Feb. 7, 2025. Mosowski told the magistrate the town recommended a finding of violation but noted the violation had been corrected before the hearing. The magistrate found a violation, ordered no fine, and assessed court costs of $250 payable within 14 days.

CC24539 — 3300 South Ocean Boulevard, Unit 923C (Michelle Orest). Mosowski reported the inspection date as Dec. 30, 2024, and said a permit application was submitted Feb. 7, 2025, but remained incomplete while the applicant obtained an additional plumbing subpermit. Mosowski also said a certified letter was returned unclaimed on April 1, 2025. Armando Rodriguez, representing New Homes Innovation Group (the general contractor), told the magistrate they had "been back and forth with the city on multiple different stuff" and that the remaining plumbing subpermit "should be done this week." The magistrate found the property in violation, gave the respondent 30 days (until May 8, 2025) to obtain required permits or face fines of up to $250 per day, and assessed $250 in court costs payable by the compliance date.

CC2519 — 3912 South Ocean Boulevard, Unit 702. Mosowski said the permit (BR21-0156) was originally issued Nov. 3, 2021, but had expired because of missing inspections and unpaid fees. He reported the violations remained on reinspection on April 2, 2025. The respondent was unable to attend for medical reasons but requested 30–60 days; Mosowski said 30 days was sufficient. The magistrate found the property in violation, ordered compliance within 30 days (by May 8, 2025) or fines of up to $250 per day, and assessed $250 in court costs due on May 8.

CC2541 — 2575 South Ocean Boulevard (Townhouses of Highland Beach condo association). Mosowski cited failure to submit a required concrete-restoration permit tied to re-certification requirements under Town Code and the Florida Building Code. Mosowski said violations continued as of reinspection on April 2, 2025, but the town waived prosecution costs in this case. Mark Brecher, president of the board of directors for the association, said the board had submitted a milestone report early, encountered additional restoration work and leaks, retained an engineering firm to evaluate bids, and expects the contractor to submit permits "next week, if not sooner." The magistrate found a violation, gave the association 30 days (until May 8, 2025) to obtain the concrete-restoration permit or face fines of up to $250 per day, and waived prosecution costs.

CC2549 — 2565 South Ocean Boulevard (Townhouses of Highland Beach condo association, second building). Mosowski identified a parallel violation for a second building on the property with a separate project control number. He said violations remained as of inspection on April 7, 2025. The association's representative affirmed the board is working on bids and permits. The magistrate found a violation, gave 30 days (until May 8, 2025) to obtain the necessary permits or face fines of up to $250 per day, and waived prosecution costs.

What the magistrate emphasized: The presiding special magistrate said that findings in these proceedings can affect future enforcement, explaining that while the magistrate "issue[d] no fine" in one case today, the record of a violation could lead to more significant penalties if the same violation recurs.

Votes at a glance (magistrate findings/orders):

• CC24533 (3420 S. Ocean Blvd., Unit 3Q — Dennis and Tatiana Petro): Found in violation; permit later issued (Feb. 7, 2025); no fine; court costs $250 payable within 14 days.

• CC24539 (3300 S. Ocean Blvd., Unit 923C — Michelle Orest): Found in violation; 30 days to comply (by May 8, 2025) or fine up to $250/day; court costs $250 payable by compliance date.

• CC2519 (3912 S. Ocean Blvd., Unit 702): Found in violation; 30 days to comply (by May 8, 2025) or fine up to $250/day; court costs $250 payable May 8, 2025.

• CC2541 (2575 S. Ocean Blvd. — Townhouses of Highland Beach, Building A): Found in violation; 30 days to obtain concrete-restoration permit (by May 8, 2025) or fine up to $250/day; prosecution costs waived.

• CC2549 (2565 S. Ocean Blvd. — Townhouses of Highland Beach, Building B): Found in violation; 30 days to obtain concrete-restoration permit (by May 8, 2025) or fine up to $250/day; prosecution costs waived.

Context and next steps: Several cases involved late or missing permit submissions, expired permits due to missed inspections and unpaid fees, or condominium recertification steps (concrete-restoration permits). In cases where permits remain outstanding, the magistrate set a common compliance deadline (May 8, 2025) and warned owners that future violations could result in more severe penalties. The Town of Highland Beach or affected parties may return to the magistrate if compliance is not achieved by the date certain.

Sources and attributions: Statements and facts in this article come from sworn testimony and record entries at the April 22, 2025, special magistrate hearing for the Town of Highland Beach. Direct quotations are attributed to the speakers who made them in the hearing record (Adam Mosowski; Dennis Petroff; Armando Rodriguez; Mark Brecher).