Wellington magistrate orders fines, deadlines and compliance steps across multiple code cases

Special Magistrate Holly Hahn ordered fines, compliance deadlines and assessed costs in more than 20 code-enforcement cases at a Village of Wellington hearing Sept. 18, 2025, after finding numerous properties in violation of local building, land‑use and property‑maintenance rules.

The orders — addressing work done without permits, unapproved fences, missing landscape requirements, painted sidewalks, storage units and unpaid local business taxes — included deadlines for correction (commonly Oct. 16, 2025), daily fines that will begin if violations are not corrected, and small administrative costs. In several cases the magistrate assessed fines that had already begun after property owners failed to meet earlier stipulation dates.

Hahn said her rulings were based on evidence, testimony and photographs presented by Village code staff. "Based upon the evidence, testimony, and photos in this matter, I find that the violations are still in existence," she said during one ruling. In cases where respondents appeared, Hahn considered testimony about contractors, permit applications and site constraints before issuing written orders.

Most matters were routine fine‑certification or notice‑of‑violation hearings handled by Village code compliance officers. Officers repeatedly told the magistrate they had tried to contact owners, had offered stipulations or extensions and recommended either additional time to comply or assessment of the fines and costs in accordance with Village code and Florida statutes.

Votes at a glance (selected outcomes) - CC3845‑2024 (1619 Wiltshire Village Dr.; Tatiana Messeroll): Magistrate assessed $25 per day commencing 08/22/2025 for work without permits (Wellington Code §5‑1‑105.1); costs of $47.46 assessed. Respondent present; magistrate noted multiple extensions were…