Bay County magistrate orders owners to repair or remove unsafe structures at multiple properties; compliance hearings set for Oct. 15

A Bay County special magistrate reviewed multiple code-enforcement cases on Sept. 8 and ordered property owners across the county to remove junk, obtain permits or demolish unfit structures.

The magistrate — citing Chapter 17 of the Bay County Code and, for one lot, Land Development Regulation 4.05 — set compliance deadlines (generally 30 days) and scheduled followup hearings for Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. in the County Administrative Offices. Several orders include specified fines that will become liens if owners do not meet the requirements.

Why it matters: the hearing grouped long-running complaints — damage from storms, unpermitted additions, derelict vehicles and overgrowth — that neighbors and code staff say pose hazards and depress nearby property values. Code enforcement staff repeatedly told the magistrate that many cases have had prior notices and inspection attempts.

Case details

4929 Deerwood Avenue, Youngstown: Code enforcement investigator Chris Hubbard documented junk, overgrowth, derelict vehicles and two unsafe accessory structures behind the house. The magistrate ordered the owners to remove junk and overgrowth, and either demolish the two accessory structures with a demolition permit or submit full structural repair drawings and complete all required inspections. The owners said they are working with an insurance company after tornado damage; David McClure told the magistrate, “We are still in the process of dealing with the tornado damage and the insurance claim.” If the property is not brought into compliance within 30 days, a $200 fine will be imposed and recorded as a lien.

6909 Roadrunner Road, Youngstown: Inspectors found an unfit mobile home, derelict vehicles and watercraft and extensive overgrowth. The respondent’s son said probate matters are delaying his ability to pull permits; the…