Magistrate finds multiple Loxahatchee Groves properties in violation of RV-registration rules; fines, compliance dates set

The Town of Loxahatchee Groves’ special magistrate found multiple properties in violation of town code section 92-010 (RV registration) at a May 5, 2025 hearing and ordered compliance deadlines, administrative-cost assessments and follow-up fine-assessment hearings.

The ruling covered a series of enforcement cases brought by the town’s Code Compliance Division after reinspections found unregistered RVs and other alleged violations. For many cases the magistrate required respondents to comply on or before June 4, 2025, or face fines of $100 per day. In absentia respondents in several matters were assessed continuing fines totaling $1,600 through May 5 (accruing at $100 per day) and administrative costs of $234.05 for the hearing.

Code enforcement officer John Suarez presented multiple cases alleging violations of section 92-010 (RV registration) and related provisions. In some matters the town offered short extensions while respondents sought to submit permit applications, affidavits of personal use, or waiver documentation. The magistrate reset several matters for fine-assessment hearings on June 18, 2025, at 9 a.m., and in one instance reset a case for a June 2 fine-assessment to allow the town to investigate a waiver email the property owner said had been sent.

Several named respondents were addressed during the hearing. Maria Guarderas, who identified herself as the daughter of a property owner, told the court she had recently resubmitted paperwork after town records showed no receipt; the town agreed to grant a short extension to allow the owner to complete registration steps. The magistrate told respondents who seek waivers to make sure the town has processed emailed requests and to bring proof to any future hearing.

In other matters where respondents did not appear, the magistrate entered findings of violation based on photographs, affidavits of posting and certified-mail delivery confirmations in the case files and imposed fines that began accruing after prior compliance dates. For example, the magistrate assessed fines in multiple cases that had compliance dates of April 18; the magistrate calculated a continuing fine of $1,600 for the period April 19 through May 5 and ordered the $234.05 administrative fee for the May 5 hearing to be reaffirmed.

The town also raised a due-process concern during the hearing. The magistrate instructed town staff to include the signed order finding violation with any future notice of hearing so respondents are on clear notice of potential fine amounts; the magistrate said the town’s prior practice of sending notices without the order could leave respondents unaware of the fine calculation.

One case included an additional building-code concern: code officers cited an unpermitted septic-tank installation in the rear yard of a property and said they had contacted the county health inspector; the town indicated that septic permitting would be handled through the Department of Health and that the town would not typically recommend an unpermitted septic installation.

Magistrate directions at the hearing were procedural and remedial rather than legislative: where respondents showed evidence of efforts to comply, the magistrate generally reset matters or granted short extensions; where respondents failed to appear or remained noncompliant after the compliance date, the magistrate imposed the town’s recommended fines and set fine-assessment hearings. The magistrate closed the session after noting the next special magistrate hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2025, and adjourned at 10:27 a.m.

What happens next: affected property owners who were given deadlines must contact the Code Compliance Division and either obtain the required registration/permits or present affidavits or waiver documentation; those who do not comply will face continuing fines and a June 18 fine-assessment hearing. The town was directed to confirm its mailings include the order finding violation so respondents receive full notice of potential penalties.