Walton County magistrate issues compliance orders, fines and continuances after Jan. 8 hearing

A Walton County special magistrate on Jan. 8, 2025, issued a series of orders resolving or continuing multiple code-enforcement cases involving land clearing, junk and debris, unauthorized structures and public-safety concerns.

The hearing produced several immediate deadlines and financial penalties, including an order finding a private bonfire operator in violation and assessing a $475 total penalty; deadlines for property owners to obtain permits or complete restorations by March 10, 2025; and multiple administrative fees of $88 or $98 depending on the case.

Why it matters: The cases touch on flood- and stormwater-related restoration, wetlands and mine-reclamation issues, public-health hazards from junk and dilapidated structures, and repeated permit violations. Magistrate rulings set short deadlines for restoration or permitting and create enforceable fines that can accrue daily if owners do not comply.

Votes at a glance (case number, owner, violation, order/outcome): - CE2400903 — D and H Sand Inc.: County enforcement alleged storage/clearing debris and improper use; matter continued 60 days to March 12, 2025, for further review (see separate article for full debate). (continued) - Bonfire citation (Light Me Up Beach Bonfires): Found to have set a bonfire in the wrong location for the fourth successive violation; magistrate entered an order assessing a $400 fine plus a $50 clerk administrative fee and a $25 clerk processing fee (total $475), payable within 30 days; photographs and prior warnings were entered into evidence. - CE2302447 — Christy Kobal (East Point Washington Road): Two adjacent lots cleared without permits. Property must be restored or a clearing permit obtained by March 10, 2025; if not, $200 per day fine will accrue plus a $98 administrative fee. - CE2400912 — Destin Mobile Home LLC (2009 N. County Highway 393): Junk, dilapidated vehicles and chemical containers found; property must be brought into compliance by Feb. 7, 2025, or a $250-per-day fine will accrue plus an $98 administrative fee. - CE24000536 — Randy Rocha: Previously assessed fines were waived after property was brought into compliance; magistrate signed an order reducing the accumulated fine to $0 after evidence of remediation and payment of administrative fees. - CE24000482 — Estate of Shelton Brown (651 River Road, Ponce de Leon): Junk and debris found; magistrate ordered compliance by March 10, 2025, or $250 per day fine will accrue; $98 administrative fee required. - CE2301966 — Joabarborosa Marrero Filho (13th Street, Santa Rosa Beach): Unpermitted clearing and fill; property must be in compliance by Feb. 7, 2025, or a $100-per-day fine will accrue; $98 administrative fee required. - CE24000704 — Corey and Ann Tinker (Seabreeze Circle): Accessory structure (screened porch with fireplace) was built without a permit. Magistrate allowed 60 days (until March 10, 2025) for a building permit to be obtained; if not, a $150-per-day fine will accrue; $88 administrative fee required. - CE24000271 — Cindy L. Gesdell (520 Satsuma Road): Property previously in violation for junk and litter but found in compliance at the hearing; no fine was imposed, but an $88 administrative fee was ordered. - CE24000009 — Korinne Mitri (Josephine Street, Ponce de Leon): Property was previously noncompliant but had been cleared before the hearing; no fine imposed; $88 administrative fee required. Future repeat offenses can be treated more stringently. - CE24000592 — Travis and Sherry Dickerson (920 N. Church St., Santa Rosa Beach): County found clearing inconsistent with a development-order stormwater requirement; property must be brought into compliance by March 10, 2025, or a $250-per-day fine will accrue; $88 administrative fee required.

What the magistrate said: Special Magistrate Hayward Dykes noted that some files raise jurisdictional questions that the county should review before pursuing enforcement in certain cases. For the D and H Sand matter, he said the evidence “calls into question the county's authority to enforce the code” and continued the case for 60 days so the parties and staff can resolve outstanding jurisdictional and permit issues.

Evidence and procedure: County code compliance officers submitted inspection packets and photographs for each matter; in several cases the officers testified the properties remained noncompliant at the time of hearing. Where owners had remedied violations before the hearing, the magistrate recorded compliance and declined to impose fines but required administrative fees.

Next steps: Orders generally give owners 30 to 60 days to comply; fines begin to accrue daily if the orders are not met. The magistrate’s continuances and orders allow the county and property owners to submit additional documents or evidence at the next hearing dates.

Ending: Many of the orders require administrative fees to be paid within 30 days. Property owners with outstanding questions were advised to contact the county planning or code offices to confirm plans, permits and payment procedures.