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St. Pete Beach magistrate fines property owner $250 per day for ongoing debris violations
Summary
At a June 9 special magistrate hearing, the City of St. Pete Beach was granted a daily fine of $250 against a property at which debris remained scattered; the magistrate set the fine to run from the hearing date until the property is brought into compliance and assessed administrative fees.
Special Magistrate Erica Augello found the property at issue in the City of St. Pete Beach code enforcement case 20250014 to remain noncompliant and ordered a daily fine.
The hearing, held June 9, addressed debris and scattered trash at the property identified in the case file. Louis Cruz, representing the city’s code enforcement office, presented photographs taken that morning showing construction rubble, palm fronds, dead vegetation and other material scattered across the front and side yards.
“On the property here, looks like they have just different debris... concrete rubble and debris that's left in the lawn in the front yard along with the palm fronds,” Cruz told the magistrate while showing overhead photographs.
No one appeared on behalf of the respondent, Stephen Parks. Cruz told the magistrate he had not had contact with the owner and that additional photographs from that morning supported the city’s position that the property remained in violation.
After reviewing the evidence and noting the respondent’s apparent attempt to clear some items, Special Magistrate Erica Augello said she would find the property noncompliant and impose fines. “I am going to find that the property still remains non compliant. However... I will issue a $250 a day fine... from today's date until they are compliant,” she said.
The magistrate assessed administrative costs of $329 and reserved any lien-recording fees. The order directs that the fine run daily from June 9, 2025, until the city determines the property is brought into compliance; the matter will be returned to the magistrate’s calendar if compliance is not achieved.
The city attorney and staff may pursue lien recording if the administrative costs or fines are not paid, per local code and the magistrate’s order.
