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Pensacola orders owner to correct unpermitted accessory buildings at 211 Ariola Ave.; compliance due Jan. 27
Summary
A hearing officer found the property at 211 Ariola Avenue in violation for unpermitted accessory buildings, ordered corrections by Jan. 27, 2025, and set a $25-per-day fine to begin Jan. 28, 2025 if not corrected; court costs were not assessed at this time.
A hearing officer found the property at 211 Ariola Avenue in Pensacola in violation of the city code for performing construction without required permits and ordered the owner to correct the violations by Jan. 27, 2025.
The order follows an October 9, 2024 inspection by building inspector Juan Coto that, according to Building Inspections Director Jonathan Bilby, revealed two accessory buildings on the site — one with an expired permit and one without any permit — and evidence of plumbing and electrical work inside the structures. Bilby told the hearing the investigation also found the accessory buildings had been used for sleeping occupancy but that the owner had since removed the occupants.
The hearing officer admitted the photographs and documents presented by city staff as evidence. Bilby cited the Florida Building Code section 105.1, Florida Statute 553.791(a), and Pensacola Code of Ordinances section 12-115 as the legal basis for requiring permits for the work. Notices tied to the case were served by certified mail (received Oct. 17, 2024) and a notice of hearing was posted at City Hall and on the property on Jan. 3, 2025.
During a reopened portion of the hearing after the respondent, Ned J. English, arrived, English said two of the accessory buildings had been removed. English confirmed to staff that the building on the right in the posted photos was “gone.” Bilby said demolition of those two structures would resolve those parts of the violation but that remaining issues involved the electrical and plumbing work in the remaining structure.
The hearing officer entered an order directing correction of the outstanding violations by Jan. 27, 2025. If corrective actions are not completed by that date, the order requires a daily fine of $25 beginning Jan. 28, 2025. The city’s request for court costs was withdrawn at the hearing and the officer stated no court costs would be assessed at this time (withdrawn without prejudice).
City staff admitted the photographs as composite exhibit 1 and the supporting documents as composite exhibit 2. Bilby told the panel he would meet with the respondent after the hearing to explain the permitting process for the remaining structure; English said he would seek a permit.
If the owner complies by the deadline, the matter will be closed; failure to comply will trigger the daily fines and possible future assessment of court costs.
