West Palm Beach magistrate orders compliance deadlines, fines and several lien reductions after code-enforcement hearing

A special magistrate for the City of West Palm Beach heard more than a dozen code-enforcement matters on Feb. 18, 2025, issuing orders that set deadlines for repairs, inspections or removal of debris and assessing potential daily fines if properties remain out of compliance.

The magistrate granted compliance periods ranging from 10 days to 120 days in individual cases and authorized the city to abate hazards where owners failed to respond. The hearing also included negotiated reductions of older lien amounts in multiple long-open cases after property owners or their representatives reached agreements with city staff.

The hearing covered building-code and property-maintenance citations, including missing rental licenses and certificates of use, roof and mold remediation, landscaping and swale repairs, outdoor storage, unpaved parking, and repeat grounds-maintenance violations. The city’s code officers presented photographs, mailing and posting affidavits and, in several cases, tenant-supplied mold or inspection reports.

Votes at a glance

- CE25013141 (2435 Presidential Way, Unit G): Found in violation of certificate-of-use and rental-license rules. Respondent (Miley Ramsey, property owner) given 10 days to obtain inspection and come into compliance or face fines of up to $200 per day. (Order issued by Special Magistrate.)

- CE25013201 (215 South Olive Ave, Suite 301): Business tax receipt violation. Owner Eric Ash was given 30 days to pay an outstanding balance (city stated $976 outstanding) and obtain required receipts; failure may result in fines up to $250 per day.

- CE24113013 (92830 Ninth Street): Violation for insufficient green area in parking; owner James Sarnes granted 60 days to remove gravel/restore green area or face fines up to $100 per day.

- CE25013115 (1740 Fifth Street, Unit 1709): Code officer reported roof leaks, water damage and mold. Property management (represented by Mark Boyer) agreed to remediation; the magistrate ordered 120 days to submit proof of repairs and mold eradication or face fines up to $200 per day.

- CE24102909 (106461 Garden Court): Structure damaged and tarped after a fire; owner Anthony Rainier was given 90 days to repair or face fines up to $100 per day; the magistrate asked the code officer to consult with the owner on scope.

- CE24112973 (62750 Fifth Street) — Repeat violation: After discussion and testimony that the property had been brought into compliance in late December, the magistrate found 40 days of noncompliance and assessed a $50-per-day fine for those 40 days (repeat-violation finding under city code). Owner represented by John Frasca and EBD Realty agreed to the outcome.

- CE25013307 (40110 Lake Avenue / vacant property flagged by code officer): The magistrate found the property a threat to health and safety due to overgrowth and debris obstructing the right-of-way, ordered the respondent to comply within 14 days, and authorized the city to abate and assess costs if the owner failed to act.

- CE25013263 (946 Belvedere Road): Swale/parkway landscaping damaged by vehicle; magistrate ordered 30 days to repair and sodding or fines of $100 per day.

- CE24123066 (3700 North Australian Avenue): Landscape maintenance outstanding; respondent given 60 days to correct or face fines of $100 per day.

- CE25013159 (735 Mill Valley Place): Rental-license/certificate-of-use matter; property owner given 30 days to complete inspection and paperwork or face fines up to $200 per day.

- CE24102947 (1272640 Ninth Street): Outdoor storage and unpaved parking violations; magistrate ordered 30 days to correct or fines of $100 per day.

- CE24123030 (5208 Spruce Avenue): Outdoor storage outstanding; respondent given 14 days or $50-per-day fines.

- CE24102927 (64150 Third Street): Swale sodding and outdoor-storage violations; magistrate ordered 30 days to comply or $50-per-day fines.

Lien reductions / negotiated settlements

- CE16120337 (229 Thirtieth Street): Fine reduced to $4,950, payable within 30 days (agreement recorded on the record).

- CE16120305 (229 Thirtieth Street — related case): Fine reduced to $1,000, payable within 30 days (agreement recorded on the record).

- CE18010512 (325 Macy Street): Owner requested reduction and presented permit documentation; magistrate reduced the lien (magistrate ordered a reduction to $4,000 in-chamber after discussion and the owner agreed to 30 days to pay).

- CE20020332 (213 North Chillingworth Drive): Longstanding lien reduced after negotiation; parties agreed to a reduced payment plan (magistrate approved a reduced lump amount of $12,050 payable over 12 months as recorded on the record).

- CE20070253 (430 Sixth Street): Fine reduced to $7,915, payable within 30 days (agreement recorded on the record).

What the magistrate and city staff emphasized

The magistrate repeatedly told respondents to coordinate promptly with assigned code officers and emphasized that the city can abate hazards and assess abatement costs when owners fail to act. For cases involving mold or structural water intrusion, the magistrate and staff emphasized public-safety and habitability concerns and accepted tenant-supplied mold reports as part of the evidence in at least one case.

Selected direct quotes

Special Magistrate: “I give the respondent 10 days to come into compliance or a fine of up to $200 per day may issue.” (order on CE25013141.)

Kevin Levine, City of West Palm Beach code enforcement officer: “The city is requesting 10 days to come in compliance of $200 a day thereafter.” (presenting CE25013141.)

Paul McFarland, City of West Palm Beach code compliance officer (on CE25013115): “We want the condition of the unit to be sanitary.”

Why this matters

These orders set short, enforceable deadlines on maintenance and safety issues across the city—ranging from individual rental-license and business-permit matters to properties judged to be public-health hazards. Several long-open liens were reduced after owners or their representatives negotiated settlements with the city, which affects how the city resolves large historical enforcement files and recovers costs.

Ending

Owners ordered to comply were reminded to stay in contact with assigned code officers and to submit proof of repairs or permit documentation by the deadlines set in each order. The magistrate adjourned after resolving the day’s docket and rescheduling several cases for a later hearing.