Citrus County special master orders compliance deadlines, fines across two dozen code cases

Citrus County’s special master hearing on Jan. 15, 2025, produced orders in more than two dozen code-enforcement matters, with presiding Special Master Christian Waugh and county enforcement staff setting compliance deadlines and fines for unpermitted structures, junk and debris, overgrown lots and unlicensed vehicles.

The county’s licensing and code-compliance officers presented evidence — photos and notices — for each case, and property owners or their representatives responded in turn. Waugh issued time-to-comply deadlines that ranged from 14 days (for several property-maintenance cases) to six months (for larger site-permit or redevelopment matters), and assessed daily fines where properties remained out of compliance. In one site-development matter the special master imposed a $2,000 one-time penalty; in repeat-violation hearings he imposed stepped fines that applied retroactively and going forward.

Why it matters: Citrus County uses the special-master process to enforce local ordinances on property maintenance, accessory structures, and land development. The hearing’s results will affect dozens of property owners and developers and signal the county’s expectations for permits and cleanup timelines.

Key rulings and enforcement actions moved most quickly where properties were clearly vacant lots or showed short-term accumulations of junk; matters involving alleged unpermitted site work or disputed tree removal drew longer timelines and higher penalties.

Waugh repeatedly emphasized compliance as the goal and said he would give owners time to fix problems before fines began. “I’m going to give you 45 days to bring the property into compliance,” he told one respondent whose case involved unpermitted accessory structures — language he…