Special magistrate sets compliance deadlines, daily fines and reduces several historic liens at West Palm Beach hearing

Special Magistrate Keith Davis presided over a City of West Palm Beach code-enforcement hearing on April 2, 2025, and issued orders setting compliance deadlines, daily fines for continued violations and several lien reductions for longstanding code liens.

The hearing covered a docket of property cases in which city code officers presented inspections and photographs and most respondents either appeared or were given additional time to comply. For short-term compliance issues such as overgrowth, outdoor storage, pressure-washing and fence permits, the magistrate typically granted 60 days (setting June 2, 2025 as the compliance date in several cases) and ordered daily fines—most commonly $100 per day—if the properties remained out of compliance after the deadline. For other matters the hearing set different deadlines and fines as described below.

Why this matters: The magistrate’s orders create enforceable deadlines and financial penalties that can become liens on property tax records if unresolved. The hearing also disposed of several large, long-running liens through negotiated reductions or magistrate orders that will affect future collection efforts and property-owner obligations.

Key outcomes and orders

- 1123 Freshwater Lakes Drive (Case 11CE25013328): Code compliance officer presented photographs and testimony documenting multiple citations (landscaping, outdoor storage and clean-and-sanitary violations). Owner Aaron Brian requested 60 days; Magistrate Davis granted compliance through June 2, 2025, and ordered daily fines of $100 per day after that date if violations persist. The court found compliance with city code 74-4-c-3 (overgrowth) and left the remaining sections outstanding.

- 4105 Greenwood Ave (Case 10CE25023352): Respondent Claudette McFarland requested 60…