Safety Harbor board finds Team B Equities in violation over unpermitted post‑flood repairs

The Safety Harbor Code Enforcement Board on June 18 found Team B Equities LLC in violation of the city code after an investigation showed unpermitted repairs at 555 Seventh Street South following flooding from Hurricane Helene.

The city’s community compliance officer, Paul Bushey, told the board that city and county records show the property is owned by Team B Equities LLC and is not homestead property. Bushey said city inspectors and the floodplain coordinator observed interior and exterior work performed without required permits, including replaced drywall and baseboards, remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, two new air‑conditioning units, a replacement water heater, relocated laundry plumbing and a relocated 200‑amp electrical panel, removal of a door, and the installation of a fence.

The action matters because the property is in a special flood hazard area and repairs after flood damage are subject to the city’s floodplain regulations and standard permitting requirements. Charlie Wilcox, civil designer and the city’s certified floodplain coordinator, testified that a consultant, Tidal Basin, inspected the house and determined the storm damage measured about 27.4%, a figure the city describes as “not substantially damaged” under the city’s substantial‑damage criteria. Wilcox said the city must still enforce permit requirements and the local 49% rule used in floodplain administration.

Bushey told the board that the city mailed initial violation notices on May 23, 2025, and mailed the notice of hearing by certified mail on June 6, 2025; the notice was also posted at the property and at city hall. He said World Class Contracting—the firm on site—did not perform the unpermitted work but has been involved in pulling permits and that the contractor submitted a permanent permit application the afternoon of June 18. Bushey cautioned that submitting an application does not by itself bring the property into compliance.

During questioning, Wilcox said the city will review the permit application for floodplain compliance and that, if an application is complete, the city’s review should take about one to two weeks before the county issues any building permits needed. He said work completed after the fact is generally eligible for review through an after‑the‑fact permit process but that inspectors must verify the work was completed to code.

After discussion, a board member moved the city’s recommended order and the motion was seconded by Tom Shea, a board member. The board voted 7–0 to find Team B Equities LLC in violation of section 231(a) of the City of Safety Harbor Code of Ordinances, to award the city $410 for administrative costs, and to give the respondent until August 18, 2025, to obtain all required permits and bring the property into compliance. If compliance is not achieved by that date the board authorized a fine of $200 per day beginning August 18, 2025, until the property is brought into compliance.

The board also accepted into evidence the city’s photos, preliminary damage determination letters, the property appraiser and tax collector printouts, and proofs of mailing and posting. The board noted a permit application had been filed but emphasized that issuance of permits (city and then county) will be the formal sign of compliance.

The order will be reduced to writing and mailed to the respondent within 10 days, per the board’s procedures.

Details: notices mailed May 23 and June 6, 2025; Tidal Basin damage estimate 27.4%; administrative costs $410; compliance deadline and fine start date August 18, 2025; fine $200/day.