Daytona Beach magistrate finds dozens of properties in noncompliance, sets April deadlines and rolling fines

The City of Daytona Beach special magistrate on March 11 found multiple property owners in noncompliance with local code and issued compliance deadlines and fines across more than 40 cases. The magistrate repeatedly ordered owners to correct violations by April 2, 2025, and in other instances extended deadlines to May 7, 2025, where inspectors or respondents identified active progress.

The decisions affect residential and commercial properties across the city and respond to violations documented by city inspectors, including overgrown lots, peeling paint, boarded windows, roof and structural damage, work without permits and trash and debris. Inspector testimony and photographs were the primary evidence supporting findings of noncompliance.

The magistrate explained why the hearing matters: many properties remain in a condition the city says poses nuisance or safety concerns, and the magistrate used the hearing to enforce deadlines and, where owners had not engaged with staff, to initiate or continue daily fines. "Noting the absence of the respondent based upon the inspector's testimony and the photographs presented, I find the respondent noncompliance," the magistrate said repeatedly during the session.

Most cases were ordered to comply by April 2, 2025, or be returned to the magistrate for consideration of a fine of up to $1,000 per day thereafter. In several matters the magistrate signed immediate fine orders or amended prior orders: the magistrate imposed or continued daily fines in the range of $100–$250 per day in cases where inspectors documented no contact or insufficient progress, with common caps mentioned by staff at $15,000 or $20,000 depending on the case. For example, the magistrate fined a respondent $100 per day commencing March 6, 2025, to continue accruing until the property was brought into compliance or the total reached $15,000, and in other matters inspectors recommended $200 or $250 per day fines with similar caps.

Some property owners won short extensions when they demonstrated active steps toward compliance or had documented permit activity. The magistrate granted extensions to May 7, 2025, in a number of cases (for example, Big Jam Holdings LLC and Pelican Bay Sports Club LLC) to allow asbestos testing, permit processing or contractor scheduling. In several progress-report matters the magistrate continued the case with a status report at the next cutoff so the city could evaluate whether demolition or other remedies were imminent.

Inspectors who testified included John Stinson, Mariah Quint, Sarah Kirk and others who presented credentials and photographic evidence for each case. Respondents and their representatives appeared in person or by Zoom for some matters and in many others were not present; the magistrate repeatedly noted that absence when issuing findings. The magistrate also advised respondents who reported contractor delays or disputes to keep inspectors informed so staff could consider additional time where warranted.

The hearing covered specific property-level orders (for retaining walls, unpermitted work, overgrown lots and other code violations) and also included multiple cases where the magistrate assessed fines for repeated noncompliance. The magistrate closed the session after addressing the final cases and hearing no further matters.

Less-critical next steps include follow-up inspections and administrative monitoring; respondents who do not comply may be returned to the magistrate for further fines or enforcement action. The city and respondents may also pursue administrative remedies or discuss payment/permit arrangements with building and code staff as the orders proceed.