Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement Fence Permit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Code board orders owner of 509 Palm Ave. to obtain final fence inspection, comply within 30 days
Summary
Punta Gorda Code Enforcement Board found violations for an unpermitted rear-yard fence at 509 Palm Ave., ordered compliance within 30 days and assessed $15.93 in case costs; building inspection for the fence was scheduled the same day.
The Punta Gorda Code Enforcement Board on a voice vote found that the property at 509 Palm Avenue was in violation of three permit-related sections of the Punta Gorda Code and issued a cease-and-desist order and a 30-day compliance deadline.
The finding followed testimony from Frank Coppinger, a code compliance officer for the City of Punta Gorda, who said inspections and department records showed a rear-yard fence was installed without a permit and that a notice of violation had been sent and received. "On 03/19/2025, I reinspected the property and found that the violations have not been corrected," Coppinger told the board. He also said a permit application had been submitted and obtained on 03/20/2025 but the fence lacked a final inspection. Coppinger submitted photos and listed case costs of $15.93.
The board chairman found the city had established a prima facie case on Punta Gorda Code chapter 26 sections 1.4, 1.5 and 1.1, and approved a motion ordering the respondent to bring the property into compliance within 30 days of receipt of the order. The order also requires the respondent to pay the assessed case costs of $15.93 within 14 days and warned that failure to comply could result in fines of up to $250 per day plus interest. Chair Adele Higgins announced, "The board has found that the respondent violated chapter 26 sections 1.4, 1.5, and 1.1 of the Punta Gorda code and issues a cease and desist order."
Board members and code staff noted that the building department had scheduled the fence final inspection for the same day as the hearing; board members kept the 30-day compliance window in case the inspection later showed violations of height or materials. Code supervisor Nick Faulkner explained that Section 1.4 addresses applicability, 1.5 addresses compliance, and 1.1 covers permits and certificates, and that the three sections applied to the single unpermitted fence installation.
If the fence passes final inspection and the building department closes the permit, staff said the case will be closed; if not, the board's compliance order and potential fines remain in effect.
