Daytona Beach code board imposes fines, grants extensions; sets April 2 compliance cutoff

The Daytona Beach Code Enforcement Board on March 13, 2025 voted to impose daily fines on several property owners, granted time extensions for a number of other cases and denied a lien-review request, while repeatedly setting April 2, 2025 as the next compliance cutoff for amended matters.

Board members heard staff reports on more than three dozen matters brought by city inspectors and took action on cases ranging from failed permits and missing inspections to deteriorated structures and nuisance conditions. Inspectors from the city recommended fines, continuances or compliance deadlines depending on each property’s status; the board voted on each staff recommendation.

Why it matters: The board’s decisions affect property owners’ legal obligations and potential financial penalties in Daytona Beach. Many orders require owners to obtain permits or arrange reinspection to stop accrual of fines, which the board capped in several cases at either $10,000 or $15,000 depending on the file.

Key outcomes and motions ("Votes at a glance"): - Excused absences: Motion to excuse Miss Himes, Mr. Mehegan and Mr. Gonzales — carried (excused). - Approval of minutes: Motion to approve minutes for prior meeting (Feb. 13) — carried. - Lien review (1409 Third Street L; “Lien review 1”): Motion to deny the lien-review request due to petitioner no‑show; motion carried. Note: petitioner may refile. - Case CEB0125… (911 Sycamore): Staff recommended and the board approved a fine of $100 per day effective immediately, continuing until compliance or a $15,000 maximum is reached. - Case CEB02-25-30 (1858 Hampton Road, Pablo Rafageli): Permits were issued; the board amended the prior order and allowed the respondent until April 2, 2025 to reach compliance. - Case CEB02-25-31 (1065 Hampton Road, Mark2 LLC): Board approved a fine of $100 per day, capped at $15,000, effective immediately until compliance. - Case CB02-25-4 (1174 Bryn Mawr Drive, R V Entertainment / Veronica Gonzalez): After the respondent appeared and testimony from the city inspector, the board imposed $100 per day (cap $15,000) until permits, pool inspection and other listed items are completed. - Case CEB01-24-19 (Nicole McErlin): Board amended the prior order and allowed the respondent until April 2, 2025 for final inspections and sign‑offs from the building department. - Case CEB02-25-44 (Hearthstone Fellowship and Foundation, 900 N. Oleander): Board amended the order and allowed compliance time until April 2, 2025 while a roof permit remained under review. - Case CB05-4-83 (owner Vargas): Board amended the case to April 2, 2025 and noted a special accommodation because the owner’s son was being inducted into the U.S. Marines; matter to return on or after the cutoff. - Case CEB06-24-92 (Keep Investment Inc., demo at 642 Eldorado): Demo final scheduled; board amended to the April 2 cutoff for compliance. - Case CEB02-25-47 (737 Whitehall, John Nelson): Staff reported no progress; board imposed a fine of $100 per day, capped at $10,000, until compliance. - Case CE01-25-07 (905 Rosewood, Georgia Ambell Estate): Board amended to the April 2 cutoff to allow additional work after staff reported progress and contact with the estate’s representative. - Case CEB01-25-09 (850 Lewis, Deborah Lynn Gordon): Staff requested and the board imposed $100 per day, capped at $10,000, because of lack of permits and no contact with the owner’s contractor. - Case CEB01-25-11 (133 Eagle Harbor Way, Tam Nguyen): Board amended the prior order and allowed compliance time to April 2, 2025 while the owner seeks a replacement contractor after alleged contractor abandonment. - Case CB02-25-41 (1147 Lakewood, Jamal Bell): Connex removed; board amended to April 2, 2025 to allow time to pull a permit for the remaining shed. - Case CB02-25-42 (1005 Essex, Emerson Medina): Permit pulled 02/19/2025 and a survey ordered; board amended to the April 2 cutoff for follow‑up. - Case CB01-25-21 (332 Dealey, Willie Mae McCoy Estate): FEMA inspection reported; board amended to April 2, 2025 pending FEMA response. - Cases later in the agenda (selected examples): the board found noncompliance and set April 2, 2025 (or in a few cases April 30, 2025) as the return deadline for properties including 438 S. Seabreeze (Darlene Brand Estate), 286 Hartford (Richard Mokluda), 407 Jefferson (Gloria Dickerson), 550 Essex (Charles/Belinda Wright) and others; in each case staff recommended and the board approved noncompliance findings with a specified compliance cutoff and potential fines up to $1,000 per day if not remedied.

What owners were told: Inspectors repeatedly told owners that obtaining required permits and scheduling re‑inspection are the actions that will stop fines from accruing. The board’s standard remedy across many files was either an amendment that sets a clear compliance date (commonly April 2, 2025) or immediate fines where inspectors reported no contact and no progress.

Process and next steps: Owners ordered to obtain permits, complete required repairs and arrange final inspections should contact the assigned city inspector (inspectors on the record during the meeting included John Stinson, Roosevelt Butler, Sarah Kirk and others). Cases returning after the cutoff will be eligible for fine consideration up to the amounts the board specified.

Ending: The board’s next compliance cutoff for amended matters is April 2, 2025; properties not brought into compliance by then will return to the board for possible fines or further action.