Pensacola magistrate orders daily fines for three properties, finds a fourth in violation

Special Magistrate Matthew Hargraves presiding at a City of Pensacola Code Enforcement Authority hearing on Feb. 4, 2025 found three properties in noncompliance with prior orders and ordered daily fines to begin and a fourth property to be found in violation with a future fine start date if it is not brought into compliance.

At the hearing, City of Pensacola code enforcement Officer Ronald Bowden presented evidence for three cases (24-5172, 24-5677, 24-5989). For 1117 North D Street (case 24-5172), listed owner Locke Elmore III, Bowden showed photographs from the initial inspection and follow-ups documenting missing siding and inoperable vehicles and said the compliance deadline had been Jan. 20. Hargraves found the property remained out of compliance and ordered fines of $25 per day to commence Jan. 21, 2025; previously ordered court costs of $200 were noted as outstanding.

In case 24-5677, 315 North A Street, listed owner HCREI Holdings LLC, Bowden testified the property remained in violation for multiple International Property Maintenance Code provisions and Pensacola municipal ordinances (including roof/drainage, vacant structure, exterior wall and weed/obstruction provisions). Hargraves ordered $25-per-day fines to commence Jan. 21, 2025 and noted $200 in court costs remained outstanding.

For case 24-5989, 1101 North J Street, listed owner Richard Puryear, Bowden showed photos from the initial finding and follow-up inspections documenting weed growth and right-of-way maintenance issues. Hargraves found the order had not been complied with and ordered $25-per-day fines to commence Jan. 21, 2025; court costs of $200 remain outstanding.

Officer Kevin Smith presented case 24-6294, 3470 Brookshire Drive, where his initial inspection on Nov. 7, 2024 observed household furniture and other indoor items stored openly in the rear yard. Smith said certified mail and posted notice procedures occurred, and he documented follow-up inspections with partial progress before finding the violations persisted. Hargraves found the property in violation of IPMC 308.1 (accumulation of rubbish/garbage) and Pensacola municipal ordinance 14-4-3 (nuisance). He ordered court costs of $200 and set a compliance deadline of Feb. 17, 2025; if not corrected, daily fines of $25 would begin Feb. 18, 2025. Hargraves also stated the required notices had been provided as required by Florida statute.

The hearing record shows the authority relied on photographic evidence from initial inspections, compliance-inspection follow-ups and the day-of-hearing inspections. The magistrate’s rulings applied the $25-per-day fine amount and $200 court cost amount consistently across the cases where noncompliance was found. No increases to existing fines or liens and no new emergency (irreparable/irreversible) actions were requested at this hearing. The hearing concluded with the magistrate adjourning the session.

Votes at a glance: - Case 24-5172 (1117 North D Street; owner: Locke Elmore III): found noncompliant; fines $25/day commencing 01/21/2025; court costs $200 outstanding. - Case 24-5677 (315 North A Street; owner: HCREI Holdings LLC): found noncompliant; fines $25/day commencing 01/21/2025; court costs $200 outstanding. - Case 24-5989 (1101 North J Street; owner: Richard Puryear): found noncompliant; fines $25/day commencing 01/21/2025; court costs $200 outstanding. - Case 24-6294 (3470 Brookshire Drive; owners: Tracy Ellis / William Ellis): found in violation; court costs $200 ordered; compliance deadline 02/17/2025; fines $25/day to commence 02/18/2025 if violations persist.

Hargraves’s rulings reiterated the municipal enforcement mechanism: magistrate findings follow evidence presented by code officers and may impose daily fines and court costs when prior compliance orders are not met. The city’s next enforcement steps will depend on whether property owners correct the cited violations by the deadlines ordered.