Fort Lauderdale magistrate orders removal or permits, fines if unresolved for multiple violations at 1332 Citrus Isle

Fort Lauderdale code compliance presented three cases tied to 1332 Citrus Isle on June 10, and the special magistrate issued staggered compliance deadlines and potential fines across the matters.

In a case presented by Building Inspector Andrew Gebbia, the property was cited under the Florida Building Code (noted in the hearing as "2023 105.1") for work performed without required permits — specifically, a blue awning anchored to the house and driveway. Gebbia testified there was no record of a permit for the awning and said it was observed during an inspection on March 31. Gebbia recommended 63 days to comply or a $100-per-day fine. The owner, Walter W. Carnes, said he would remove or permit the structure; the magistrate granted 63 days. "I'll give you 63 days," the magistrate told Carnes, noting fines would begin afterward.

A second case, presented by Inspector Gustavo Caracas, alleged a vessel docked at the RS-8 zoned property was being used as a live‑aboard, which the inspector said the zoning prohibits (citing 47-196B during testimony). Caracas said inspections and video evidence showed a person sleeping aboard at night; the city sought 10 days to evacuate the vessel or a $500-per-day fine. The property manager and owner acknowledged someone was living aboard. The owner told the magistrate the person aboard was recovering from a hysterectomy and requested leniency. The magistrate allowed 20 days "because of the health concerns" and told the owner the man who comes and goes to assist the woman may not stay overnight on the vessel. The magistrate warned that if the person returned after 20 days the city would treat it as a recurring violation with additional consequences.

A third matter, presented later by Mohammed Dam, cited illegal outdoor storage and other RS-8 zoning violations at the same address (including items stored at the front, sides and rear). The city requested 10 days for certain violations (or $100/day thereafter) and 28 days for others; the magistrate ordered 10 and 28‑day deadlines as reflected in the hearing and said the inspector would work with the owner about allowable items. Carnes asked for clarification about keeping personal furniture on a back porch; the magistrate said the inspector would advise what may remain.

Neighbors and a remainderman representative also spoke at the hearing. Mark Hermes, who said he lives at 1328 Citrus Isle, described ongoing problems and presented video and photo evidence to the magistrate alleging more serious criminal conduct tied to people associated with the property; he asked for immediate removal. The magistrate kept the orders focused on the zoning and code violations in front of the court and emphasized the separate limits of the magistrate’s authority on criminal matters and registered-offender issues.

Summary of orders and penalties: The magistrate ordered 63 days for the unpermitted awning (or $100/day thereafter); 20 days for removal/evacuation of the live‑aboard occupant (or $500/day thereafter) — with the man prohibited from staying overnight — and 10 to 28 days on outdoor-storage/landscape violations (or $100/day thereafter). Inspectors were instructed to re‑inspect and work with the owner on permitted items.