St. Lucie County commissioners on July 1 adopted an ordinance creating a special magistrate position to hear and adjudicate certain code enforcement matters and temporarily limit the Code Enforcement Board’s jurisdiction to residential cases.

Assistant County Attorney Jean Stasio presented the ordinance, noting it amends St. Lucie County Code, Chapter 1, Article 2, to establish qualifications, delegation authority to the County Attorney to appoint a special magistrate, and to limit the Code Enforcement Board’s jurisdiction to residential matters from Aug. 15, 2025, through Jan. 1, 2026. Stasio said the ordinance was advertised June 18 in accordance with Florida Statutes section 125.66. Staff recommended approval.

Commissioner Townsend and others raised concerns about cases that were scheduled before the code enforcement board and about an existing lien amnesty program set to expire in July. Assistant County Attorney Catherine Barbieri explained the amnesty program: property owners who bring properties into compliance during the designated period may have liens reduced to 10% administratively rather than seeking reduction through the code enforcement board. Commissioners discussed appointing members to the Code Enforcement Board to ensure quorum at upcoming meetings and agreed to pursue extending the amnesty period through September to account for the transition and missed meetings. The board voted to approve the ordinance.