Pensacola code-enforcement hearing: magistrate orders costs, deadlines and continuances for multiple unpermitted-work cases

Special Magistrate Jason Onacki on March 25 presided over the City of Pensacola Code Enforcement Authority hearing and issued corrective orders, continuances or fines for multiple properties found to have unpermitted construction or unsafe conditions.

The magistrate granted continuances in several cases to allow owners to obtain plans and permits, ordered $200 in court costs for most violations, and set dates after which daily fines will begin if corrective action is not completed. City building-inspections staff said obtaining an issued permit typically closes a violation; several owners said they are seeking plans, contractors or demolition permits to comply.

Why it matters: The hearing resolved or advanced many enforcement files affecting residential and commercial properties across Pensacola. Deadlines set by the magistrate create near-term compliance requirements and the potential for accruing daily fines if property owners do not obtain permits or complete abatement.

Votes at a glance (selected orders and outcomes)

- Case 24-85 — 2369 N. Palafox St.: Building-inspections staff presented evidence of unpermitted framing, mechanical and electrical work and a stop-work order. The court ordered $200 in court costs payable within 30 days. City staff and the property representative agreed to a compliance window; the city asked to delay fines until April 22, 2025. The magistrate ordered the court costs and a hold on daily fines until April 22, 2025; if corrective action is not completed by that date, daily fines (amount originally cited by staff) will begin to accrue.

- Cases 15 & 16 — (Bradley Capital) continuance correction: The court corrected earlier continuance dates and acknowledged a continuance to April 22, 2025 so the owner may obtain plans and apply for permits.

- Case 24-5 — 237 N. K St.: Staff documented stop-work conditions for structural roof framing and siding. The court ordered $200 in court costs payable within 30 days and amended the compliance timeline to allow plans to be completed; the city and owner agreed to a revised compliance window, with daily fines to begin if the work is not permitted by the agreed date (court-entered date in late April 2025).

- Case 23-41 — 710 N. 7th Ave.: The court previously ordered permit compliance and daily fines; the owner’s agent reported they are pursuing Architectural Review Board (ARB) approval on April 17. The magistrate continued the matter to May 13, 2025, with a compliance date of May 13, 2025.

- Case 24-8 — 2101 W. Gregory St.: Evidence showed unpermitted doors, windows, siding, interior renovations and an accessory shed. The court ordered $200 in court costs and set a compliance deadline; if corrective actions are not completed by April 7, 2025, a daily fine of $25 will begin to accrue on April 8, 2025.

- Case 550 Windhurst St. (two related files): For one file, a permit was issued March 17, 2025 and the violation was closed. For an associated alteration file, the court granted a continuance so the owner, contractor and engineer can complete plans; a late-April compliance date was set.

- Case 24-108 — 130 S. L St.: The court found unpermitted work remained and imposed daily fines of $25 beginning March 25, 2025; paperwork will be entered to effect the fines.

- Case 23-160 — 3350 Marcus Dr.: The court imposed daily fines of $25 effective March 25, 2025, until the violation is remedied.

- Case 23-59 — 1112 N. C St.: The court imposed daily fines of $25 effective March 25, 2025, until the violation is remedied.

- Case 24-231 — 908 E. Lee St.: Staff documented unpermitted plumbing work (water heater, drains, fixtures). The court ordered $200 in court costs payable within 30 days. If corrective action is not completed by April 7, 2025, a daily fine of $25 will begin on April 8, 2025.

- Case 24-232 — 1400 Barrancas St.: Staff reported metal roofing (permit issued), a fence (permit applied for) and plumbing work without a permit. The court ordered $200 in court costs payable within 30 days; if plumbing permit/action is not completed by April 7, 2025, a daily fine of $50 will begin on April 8, 2025.

- Case 23-1 — 115 W. Highland Dr. (unsafe structure): Staff documented a fully collapsed roof and reported a demolition permit obtained the same day of the hearing (valid through June 18, 2025). The court ordered $200 in court costs; corrective action must be completed by April 21, 2025, or a $25 daily fine will begin April 22, 2025.

- Case 24-142 — 317 W. Intendencia St.: Staff requested assessment of fines for unpermitted work; the court ordered daily fines of $25 effective February 25, 2025, continuing until the violation is remedied.

- Case 24-171 — 6480 Hermitage Dr.: The court corrected a previous continuance date to April 22, 2025 so the owner can seek a zoning variance and obtain permits.

What owners told the court

Several owners told the magistrate they intended to obtain plans or permits, or had engaged designers, contractors or engineers. Katrina Moy, appearing for 2369 North Palafox Street, said she would “erase” the stage and bar work and pursue a simplified permit so she could reopen the event space with a door and limited interior work. Christina Landers, owner of 237 N. K Street, said she hired a contractor and applied to the Community Redevelopment Agency for assistance and that a designer would produce drawings and an engineer’s assessment. David Mayo, owner at 2101 W. Gregory, described the work as a “horribly expensive lesson” and said he has engaged a general contractor and intends to make permits right.

Quotes

“Once you apply, get the permit and it's issued, the violation goes away,” Building Inspections Assistant Director Robbie Weekley told a property representative when describing the city’s process for resolving violations.

Katrina Moy, the property representative for 2369 N. Palafox St., said, “We just gonna do away with the bar, the platform, and just go back. Just nothing. Just do nothing. Just put the door in and be done with it,” describing how she planned to simplify the project to obtain a permit.

Next steps and enforcement mechanics

City staff repeatedly told owners that an issued permit generally closes the violation and that staff is willing to work with owners on plan corrections. The magistrate’s orders create specific compliance deadlines; the city said it will enter paperwork reflecting the court’s orders, and daily fines will begin to accrue automatically on the dates set by those orders if corrective action is not completed.

Ending

Magistrate Onacki closed the March 25 docket after addressing all listed matters and instructed staff to prepare written orders to memorialize the court’s rulings. Several cases were continued to April or May to allow time for plans and permit applications; others were closed after permits were issued or demolition permits were obtained.