Sarasota magistrate levies fines, sets continuances across multiple code-enforcement cases

Magistrate Richard Ellis held a docket of city code-enforcement cases Oct. 23, 2025, imposing fines in several matters, confirming prior orders in unpaid business-tax cases and continuing dozens of property-correction matters so inspectors or contractors can finish repairs or permitting.

The hearing covered violations ranging from accumulation of junk and overgrowth to unpermitted construction and operating vacation rentals without registration. City code representative Miss Kennedy told the magistrate which properties were back in compliance and which still required action; Ellis frequently continued cases to give respondents time to call inspectors, complete permits or remove items from properties.

Why it matters: The magistrate’s orders determine whether property owners face civil fines that can build daily and who must pay the city’s inspection and correction costs. Several owners were assessed or had increased daily fines, while others saw fines reduced because the city found corrections during inspections.

The most significant monetary outcomes included: - A running fine increased to $2.50 per day for 25 25 Floyd Street LLC (case 202500981) for continuing accumulation of junk and trash; the magistrate found the overgrowth violation was already in compliance as of June 30 and continued the case to Dec. 4 at 8:45 a.m. - A civil fine of $11,900 (to date) and daily running fines of $100 thereafter were imposed in the case against Ryan S. McKee and Samantha C. McKee (case 2020XXXX995), for items remaining on the property; the case was set for Nov. 20 at 8:30 a.m. - A civil fine of $14,300 (to date) and a $100-per-day continuing fine were imposed for John E. Blakemore (case 202500892) relating to tree and debris left curbside; the matter was continued to Nov. 20 at 11:45 a.m. - Cedar Ridge Cabin LLC (case 202501111) was ordered to pursue permitting and returned to the calendar Dec. 18 at 1:00 p.m. after the city said an accessory dwelling unit had been constructed without required permits and zoning approvals. - The city reduced recommended penalties in multiple vacation-rental matters: Elevate 1400 North Tamiami Trail LLC (case…