DeLand special magistrate orders compliance, fines for multiple properties; repeat violations draw higher daily penalties

Special Magistrate Julie Zolte on Jan. 23, 2025, found multiple DeLand properties in violation of city codes, setting staggered compliance deadlines and daily fines that range from $100 to $500 per day depending on the case and whether the violation was a repeat offense.

The hearing covered permit-related work done without required building permits, unsafe and partially collapsed accessory structures, unregistered vehicles and vehicles parked on grass, abandoned or dilapidated fences, and yard maintenance violations. Amber Parker, City of DeLand code enforcement officer, presented each case and recommended compliance dates and daily fines. Zolte imposed fines and return hearings as the record and the city’s recommendations justified.

Why it matters: The magistrate’s orders can require property owners to stop work, obtain permits, remove unsafe structures, or correct nuisance conditions; fines begin to accrue when owners fail to meet the compliance dates set in the orders. Several cases involved repeat violations or construction that changed a building’s use or number of bedrooms without permits, which the city flagged as more serious.

Key rulings and high-profile orders

- 221 West University Avenue (owner: Blanche Weldon): Zolte entered an order finding the property in violation for electrical work and other permit-required work performed without permits (case CE24-1371). The magistrate imposed fines of $250 per day starting Jan. 14, 2025, and continued the fines until a permit is obtained. City staff said the property was previously found in violation and the case was a repeat matter; the building department documented work that remained permitted.

- 237 West Ridge Avenue (owners: Dwayne and Blanche Weldon): The magistrate found ongoing unpermitted work after a stop-work order and ordered compliance; city staff and the deputy building official testified that exterior siding, soffit replacement and multiple window openings require permits and, in some instances, engineering or historic-board review. The city recommended a $500-per-day fine as this was presented as a repeat violation; Zolte ordered fines of $500 per day effective Jan. 10, 2025, until the violations are corrected.

- Third Gen Investing, LLC (property: partial ID 103200082): The magistrate found unpermitted renovations that converted a 4-bedroom, 1-bath layout to a 6-bedroom, 4-bath configuration with new plumbing and kitchen work. Because the property had a prior finding, Zolte ruled this a repeat violation and imposed fines of $400 per day beginning Dec. 12, 2024, until proper permits are obtained and the work permitted.

- Unsafe/dangerous accessory structure (225 North San Susie Avenue; respondent: Lucille C. Mattingly): The city presented photos showing a partially collapsed accessory building. Zolte found the property in violation under the International Property Maintenance Code and ordered compliance by Feb. 24, 2025, or accrual of $250 per day beginning Feb. 25.

- 1367 Hensley Drive (respondents: August F. and Mary Jane Termenkus): The magistrate entered orders on multiple related cases for an unsafe burned/damaged structure and for yard debris and overgrown vegetation. Zolte found the property in violation and imposed fines of $250 per day beginning Jan. 21, 2025, until the structure is removed or repaired and lot maintenance is completed.

Other orders (selected)

- 1397 Hensley Drive (respondent James Pelt / son Robert Pelton spoke for the property): Magistrate Zolte found the property in violation for replacing a garage door with a window and wall without a permit (case CE20-4587). Zolte set a compliance deadline of Feb. 24, 2025, saying, “You have until February 24 to do so,” and warned fines could start to accrue Feb. 25 at $150 per day if the required permit was not obtained.

- 507 West Hogel Ave. (respondents: Mae Lorenzo Durrance and Catherine Samuels): The magistrate ordered vehicles parked on grass and other parking violations be corrected by Feb. 24, with fines of $150 per day to begin Feb. 25 if not corrected. The property owner requested until Feb. 23 to remove or relocate vehicles.

- 201 East New Hampshire Avenue (owner: Monica Anzinger): Zolte entered an order imposing fines of $250 per day beginning Jan. 21, 2025, after the property remained in violation for an unsafe structure; the owner said she had retained a contractor and was awaiting notice-of-commencement recording before work would start.

- 532 East Ridge Avenue (John Christopher Rich Estates): The magistrate found a dilapidated fence (case CE24-1689) and an unregistered vehicle (case CE24-1690) in violation and ordered compliance by Feb. 24, 2025; fines of $100 per day for fence maintenance and $100 per day for the vehicle violation can begin Feb. 25, 2025.

- 410 West Beresford Avenue (WOS Nation LLC / Wasp Nation LLC in filings): The magistrate entered an order for an unpermitted renovation (case CE24-1118 and C24-0973), then later accepted evidence of compliance in a separate tab; where compliance was documented, Zolte closed the matter with no fine due.

Process notes and next steps

- Several respondents said they were working with contractors or planned to obtain permits; the magistrate repeatedly clarified that, in many cases, pulling a permit is sufficient to stop further fines while inspections and permitted work proceed.

- The deputy building official and the city’s building department were called to explain why exterior siding, soffit replacement and window replacement require permits and, for some window openings, documentation to show compliance with wind-load and structural requirements.

- Zolte scheduled a follow-up hearing on Feb. 27, 2025, for cases where compliance remained in question. For properties that were shown to be in compliance at the hearing, the magistrate entered orders closing the matters with no fines due.

Ending

The hearing covered a broad set of neighborhood-scale property maintenance and unpermitted-work issues that the City of DeLand will monitor for permit pull-through and physical repairs; the magistrate’s orders emphasize that obtaining required permits and addressing unsafe structures is the route to stopping accrued fines and resolving violations. Owners who bring properties into compliance were ordered to notify the city’s code-enforcement officer so fines can be halted.