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Board gives Geneva homeowner until March 14 to repair fence and remove overgrown vegetation, reduces one fine to $50/day
Summary
The Seminole County Code Enforcement Board on Feb. 27 ordered Nancy A. Hepler to repair a dilapidated fence and cut uncultivated vegetation at 240 Third Street in Geneva by March 14, 2025. The board set fines at $50 per day for each outstanding violation if not corrected.
The Seminole County Code Enforcement Board on Feb. 27 ordered Geneva homeowner Nancy A. Hepler to repair a dilapidated fence and remove uncultivated vegetation at 240 Third Street by midnight on March 14, 2025. The board set fines of $50 per day for each violation if the property is not returned to compliance.
Officer Hill of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, East Region, presented two cases against Hepler: case 25-06-CEB alleging a dilapidated fence in violation of the Seminole County Land Development Code (chapter 30, part 14, section 30.14.019(l)), and case 25-07-CEB alleging uncultivated vegetation in violation of Seminole County Code chapter 95, section 95.4 (defined in 95.3(b)). Hill said his initial inspections occurred on Oct. 21, 2024, notices were mailed Oct. 25 and Nov. 14, 2024, and follow-up inspections continued through Feb. 26, 2025. He told the board the backyard remained in violation and that he had not heard from the property owner until recently.
Nancy Hepler told the board she is working to fix the problems but has limited funds because she recently remodeled a neighboring property and is restoring her late mother’s house after a lengthy probate process. “I’m doing little by little as I can because everything costs money,” Hepler said. She also said she has contracted to install a new fence and that March 14 would work as a compliance target.
Board member Mike Simon moved to accept staff’s recommendation for March 14 compliance but to reduce the proposed $100-per-day fine for the fence violation (case 25-06) to $50 per day, citing the respondent’s stated financial constraints and history of bringing properties into compliance; Sudley Bates seconded the motion. The board approved the motion and separately approved the vegetation case (25-07) with the staff-recommended penalty of $50 per day; both actions set the same March 14 compliance date.
Officer Hill advised respondents to contact inspectors when they believe they are in compliance so staff can close the cases. The board recorded the cases as ordered and directed staff to inspect after the March 14 deadline and impose fines if violations persist.
