Martin County magistrate orders compliance, deadlines and fines in multiple unpermitted-work and nuisance cases

Special Magistrate held a code enforcement hearing for Martin County on May 21, 2025 and issued orders in multiple cases involving unpermitted construction, storage of materials, and nuisance conditions. The magistrate found violations in each matter the county presented and set compliance deadlines ranging from June 30 (for some cases) to September 1 or September 30 in others, ordered daily fines of $100 per day for continuing violations, and awarded investigation costs to the county in most cases.

Why it matters: The hearing resolved a number of pending enforcement matters that affect property use and neighborhood conditions across Martin County and set firm deadlines and financial consequences for noncompliance. Several respondents agreed to stipulations or were given extensions to obtain required permits, while others were ordered to remove or permit structures.

Key outcomes and particulars

Gosney / Andoff (ENF2025020052) — Spring Haven Avenue: The county presented aerial photos, permit-history screenshots and an expired permit application showing a new pole-barn–type metal structure on a vacant lot. Investigator Chris Counsel testified the county issued a notice of violation on Feb. 27, 2025 and amended the notice on May 7, 2025 to cite “building without a permit.” The property owners, Nick J. Gosney and Cynthia L. Andoff, acknowledged the structure was in place and that they had not secured a permit. The magistrate found a violation, awarded $575 in investigation costs to Martin County, and ordered compliance on or before Sept. 30, 2025; failing that, a $100-per-day fine will accrue.

Jonathan Eaton (Case 2025020954-01) — 1400 SW Squire Johns Lane, Palm City: Investigator Chris Counsel reported stored equipment, dirt and materials on a cleared residential lot and no active permits. A representative for the contractor (Benjamin Drew Jimenez of Drew Eaton Construction) said an application had been submitted recently but the physical permit had not been picked up. The magistrate accepted county exhibits and ordered compliance by June 30, 2025; a $100-per-day fine and $575 investigation costs were assessed should the violations continue.

Noel Torres (ENF2025010595) — 1118 SW Buxton Trail, Stuart: Investigator Counsel reported a carport built without a permit. Torres met with staff and signed a stipulation and paid a $350 administrative fee the morning of the hearing. The magistrate approved the agreed order giving Torres until Sept. 1, 2025 to obtain a permit or remove the structure and ordered $100-per-day fines to begin after that date if noncompliant; the $350 payment was noted as received.

SGK Land LLC (ENF2025030273) — 8456 SE Bridge Road, Hobe Sound: Investigator Kelly Switzer testified a fence had been installed after an expired fence permit application; the owner’s office manager had discussed a stipulation but the owner had not completed it. The magistrate found a violation, ordered compliance by June 30, 2025, assessed $575 in investigation costs, and imposed a $100-per-day fine if the violation continues.

Cleo W. Moore Estate (Case 22024 120124-01) — 2495 SE Carroll Street, Stuart: Investigator Maria Espaia reported previous trash and an RV that was later removed; current noncompliance involved window framing and other building changes that appeared to lack permits. The magistrate removed the prior trash/RV violations from the record, found the building-permit violation remained, accepted county exhibits, ordered compliance by June 30, 2025, and awarded $575 in costs.

Schwartz (ENF2023070625-01) — 9292 SE Duncan Street, Hobe Sound: Rachel Spradley (nuisance abatement coordinator) presented a request to reduce an outstanding enforcement lien. The record showed an original order and an accrued-fines affidavit ($4,000 outstanding). Staff recommended and the magistrate approved a lien-reduction stipulation under the county’s lien-reduction policy; the parties must tender the agreed reduced payment within the time specified in the order or the larger fine will be reinstated.

McDonald’s Corporation (ENF2023090258) — 2900 SW Martin Downs Blvd, Palm City: Spradley presented an accrued-fines affidavit showing a $30,400 fine (plus $575 costs) from an unpermitted air-conditioner installation. County staff recommended a reduction to $3,097.50 and the magistrate approved the reduction; the agreement was signed by county staff and a corporate representative and includes the usual payment window before the full fine is restored.

Wojciechak (ENF2024101099) — 1582 NE Moraine Court, Jensen Beach: An amended stipulation was presented and accepted. Respondents have an extension (new compliance date July 31, 2025) to obtain permits; the county accepted the executed amended stipulation and noted payment of the additional $350 administrative fee.

Susan K. Smith (ENF2024120236) — 2813 NE Spruce Ridge Ave, Jensen Beach: Investigator Tamika Bush reported an expired paver permit was renewed but that two mini-split AC units and a rear four-foot fence remain without permits. The magistrate found three violations under Florida Building Code/County incorporation, ordered compliance by June 30, 2025, and assessed $575 in investigation costs plus $100-per-day fines per continuing violation.

Tara Garrel Revocable Trust (ENF2025020048) — 1000 NE Key Drive, Jensen Beach: Investigator Bush reported overgrowth, trash and stored materials; the trustee signed a stipulation the day of the hearing, paid the $350 administrative fee, and agreed to come into compliance by July 31, 2025. The magistrate entered the agreed order and accepted county exhibits.

Procedure and next steps: In most cases the magistrate accepted the county’s photographic and permit-history exhibits into evidence without objection, found violations as charged, and entered compliance deadlines with the standard $100-per-day penalty for continuing violations and a $575 investigative-cost award unless a different amount (for example, stipulation fees or negotiated reductions) was recorded. The magistrate noted that negotiated stipulations or extensions between respondents and county staff may be returned for judicial review if needed. The next scheduled magistrate hearing is June 18, 2025.

Source material: Proceedings of the Martin County Code Enforcement Magistrate hearing, May 21, 2025.