Code enforcement magistrate orders compliance in multiple Martin County property cases

The Martin County Code Enforcement Magistrate ordered owners of a series of residential and condominium properties to correct cited code violations and set deadlines and fines during a hearing at the Martin County Administrative Building on Oct. 15, 2025.

The magistrate said the counties’ investigators presented photographs and inspection records that established prima facie violations, then entered findings and staggered compliance deadlines depending on the situation. Code enforcement investigators asked for daily fines of $100 per violation if properties remained out of compliance and asked for reimbursement of administrative costs in most cases.

The decisions covered a variety of issues: inoperable vehicles, trash and debris, overgrown vegetation, unpermitted structures and building-work without a valid final inspection or permit, and unsanitary swimming-pool conditions. Several respondents accepted deadlines or stipulations; two matters were continued or resolved by settlement.

"The photographs accurately show what I saw then," Michael Joseph, a Martin County code compliance investigator, testified repeatedly as he presented evidence for several properties, including the Lawson property in Jensen Beach and the Wright estate in Jensen Beach.

The magistrate made the more urgent outcomes first. For example, in the Lawson case (1202 NE Railroad St., Jensen Beach), the magistrate found violations for an unpermitted window, trash and lack of site addressing and ordered compliance by Nov. 28, 2025 while allowing the owner until Dec. 31, 2025 to obtain the required building permit for the window. The magistrate also assessed $575 in investigative costs and warned of $100-per-violation-per-day fines if the orders were not met.

Several other orders followed a similar pattern: evidence was admitted, investigators recommended compliance dates, respondents either agreed or were found in violation, compliance dates were set (most commonly Nov. 28, 2025), $575 in county investigative costs was ordered to be reimbursed where applicable, and the magistrate stated the standard $100-per-violation-per-day fine for continued noncompliance. The magistrate repeatedly emphasized that respondents must contact the county to schedule reinspection once the cited work is completed.

Notable individual outcomes and notes from the hearing:

- Lawson (ENF2025040667, 1202 NE Railroad St., Jensen Beach): Investigator Michael Joseph presented photographs showing an inoperable vehicle, trash and an unfinished window installation. The magistrate found violations and ordered cleanup and house numbers posted by Nov. 28, 2025, and required the building permit for the window be obtained by Dec. 31, 2025. Costs: $575. The magistrate warned $100 per violation per day if not complied with.

- Bodette (ENF2025070804-01, 2677 SE Norman St.): Investigator Maria Espiote reported an unpermitted conversion of a detached garage to living space, an unpermitted water heater, damaged fascia and fence, high grass and trash. Owner Tammy Ann Bodette told the magistrate she had contractors lined up and asked for more time. The magistrate set a compliance date of Dec. 31, 2025, and awarded costs of $575.

- Plunkett (ENF2025050646, 8419 SW Citrus Blvd., Palm City): Investigators documented trash/debris and outdoor storage concerns. The magistrate ordered compliance by Nov. 28, 2025, and awarded $575 in costs.

- Vaccaro/Sites (ENF2025060199-01, 1769 NE 23rd Terrace, Jensen Beach): Investigator Michael Joseph presented aerial imagery and photographs showing a persistently green, unsanitary pool; trash and an inoperable vehicle had been abated before the hearing. The magistrate accepted evidence and ordered compliance by Nov. 28, 2025. Costs: $575. The property owner said the pool is fully fenced and described recurring sand intrusion and equipment problems; the magistrate left method of remediation to the owner and county staff.

- Timko (ENF2025040332-01, 2175 SW University St., Stuart): Investigator Deborah Carrasco documented tall grass, trash and an inoperable trailer/boat. The magistrate ordered compliance by Nov. 28, 2025, and awarded $575 in costs; the magistrate reminded the respondent that it is the respondent’s responsibility to call for a reinspection.

- Kirby (CNF2025021236, 4593 SW 84th St., Palm City): The respondent entered into a signed stipulation and agreed final order, paid administrative costs (documented as $350) and agreed to come into compliance by Jan. 3, 2026; the magistrate entered the agreed final order.

- Slattery (ENF2025030698, 2064 SW Pitts Terrace, Stuart): Investigators documented an expired permit and an unpermitted addition; the magistrate ordered compliance by Nov. 28, 2025, and awarded $575 in costs.

- Worley Estate (ENF2025070240): Follow-up inspections showed continued grass and trash violations. The magistrate ordered compliance by Nov. 28, 2025, and awarded $575 in costs.

- Wright Estate (EF2025080060, 1689 NE Sunview Terrace, Jensen Beach): Investigators presented evidence of damaged roof and exterior surfaces. No representative attended. The magistrate found violations, set a Nov. 28, 2025 compliance deadline and assessed $575 in costs.

- Chin/Campos (ENF2025080365, 5703 SE Pine Dr., Stuart): The owners entered into a stipulation, paid $350 in administrative costs and agreed to come into compliance by Jan. 3, 2026; the magistrate entered the agreed order.

- Shannon Properties LLC (ENF2025060610, 1315 NE Flora Place, Jensen Beach): Investigators reported a new shed placed without a permit and an expired remodeling permit that lacked a passing final inspection. The magistrate ordered Shannon Properties to renew or reapply for the permit and obtain a passing final inspection by Nov. 15, 2025, and awarded $575 in costs.

- Beacon 21 Condominium Owners Association Inc. (ENF2025070545, 1660 NE Dixie Hwy., Jensen Beach): Investigators documented balcony railings installed without permits across four condominium buildings and confirmed that four permit applications were submitted but remained incomplete or awaiting resubmittal. The magistrate ordered compliance by Nov. 15, 2025, and assessed $575 in costs.

- Torres (ENF2024050443-01, 5694 SE 407th Ave., Stuart): Staff recommended and the magistrate approved a fine-reduction stipulation. The outstanding fine was reduced from $6,800 to $680 under the stipulation; administrative costs previously paid were documented in the record and the magistrate entered the agreed order.

- James Smith Trust matter: continued to the November hearing at the county’s request so the out-of-state owner can pursue repairs; the magistrate granted the continuance.

Votes at a glance: All the magistrate’s rulings described above were entered from evidence and testimony presented at the hearing. Where a respondent signed a stipulation, the magistrate entered that agreed final order. Where the owner did not appear, the magistrate entered findings based on the county’s evidence. All monetary costs ordered to be paid to the county were explicitly stated on the record.

What happens next: Owners ordered to comply must contact Martin County Code Enforcement for reinspection once they have completed the required corrections. The magistrate repeatedly warned that failure to comply by the deadlines will result in fines of $100 per violation per day until the violation is corrected. Several respondents who negotiated stipulations were given later compliance dates (most commonly Jan. 3, 2026) and some matters were continued to the November docket.

The hearing record includes photographic exhibits and investigator testimony for each file; the magistrate stated that the county’s evidence established prima facie violations when investigators’ sworn testimony and photographs were admitted into evidence. The magistrate also approved the August and September minutes and adjourned the Oct. 15 docket.