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 magistrate granted 60 days to comply and said a $100 fine will be imposed if the property is not brought into compliance within that time. The magistrate noted that if a demolition or building permit is obtained and later allowed to expire, that will be treated as noncompliance.

7113 Timber Run Road (CE20250697), Porter Landing area: The inspector reported multiple derelict RVs and junk on a vacant parcel. A neighbor testified she has removed loads of debris and is collecting mail for the owner, who is incarcerated. The magistrate continued the case to Oct. 15 so the owner’s representative can appear and provide a plan.

6713 East Fifth Court / 6701 Court vicinity (former family estate): The owner’s relative said title and probate complications have blocked permitting; a nearby resident described extensive damage and roof collapse. The magistrate advised the resident to obtain probate documents or pursue a quiet-title action and set a 30-day compliance period; the magistrate warned the county may abate the property and place costs as a lien if owners do not act.

2109 Bent Oak Court, Panama City Beach: Building inspector Scott Thorpe found unpermitted additions tied into a double-wide mobile home and unsafe roof conditions. Owner James Minshew acknowledged doing roofing work without permits and said he has been trying to contact inspectors. The magistrate ordered the owner to either obtain demolition permits or submit full structural repair drawings and required permits within 30 days. If repairs or permits are not in place, a $1,000 fine will be imposed and recorded as a lien.

5025 Orange Avenue, Bayou George (blighted structure and secondary case): Inspectors found a two-story wood-frame structure with roof failure and unsafe accessory buildings; the family reported probate complications and said they had removed many trailer loads of debris. The magistrate found three unfit structures and construction debris present, granted 30 days for compliance, and waived an immediate new fine but reduced a previously assessed accumulation of $3,600 (an earlier $5/day fine) to a total of $1,000 recorded as an encumbrance; the court advised the family to pursue probate documents and to coordinate with code enforcement.

8119 Zulu Avenue, High Point: The owner, Brandon Sheffield, said he is replacing a roof and will order new windows but asked for time. The magistrate found one blighted condition (a boarded window that blocks an egress) plus an unsafe 24x12 accessory shed and gave 30 days for either demolition or structural repairs and permits. For the blighted window, the magistrate set an initial $25 fine and $5 per day until corrected; the accessory structure carries the normal 30‑day compliance deadline before higher fines and liens may apply.

7521 Harvey Street (Callaway area): A recreational vehicle, trailers and stored personal property on a vacant residential lot were found to violate LDR 4.05 (non-allowable use). The magistrate ordered all recreational vehicles, motorcycles, trailers and personal property removed within 10 days; if the owner does not comply the order provides for a $200 initial fine and $25 per day for up to 20 days, recorded as a lien if unpaid.

8825 Firebird Lane, Youngstown: A single‑wide mobile home with severe siding and roof damage and an unsafe accessory structure were found; the magistrate ordered demolition or full structural repair permits and plans within 30 days. A $1,000 fine will be imposed if the owner does not comply and will become a lien.

2315 Allison Avenue, Panama City Beach: An unfit accessory structure with a missing roof and persistent overgrowth was found. The magistrate ordered removal or permitted repair within 30 days and said a $1,000 fine will be imposed and recorded as a lien for noncompliance.

Next steps and enforcement mechanics

- Most respondents were given 30 days from the effective date of the magistrate’s orders to either obtain demolition permits and remove unsafe structures and debris or submit full structural repair drawings and have required inspections completed. Several orders explicitly state that if permitted work is begun but permits expire or are canceled, that will be treated as noncompliance. - The magistrate repeatedly instructed owners to notify Code Enforcement and schedule inspections once permits or cleanup actions are underway; if orders are not met the county may abate the properties and place costs as liens.

Quotes from the hearing

- David McClure, a property owner at 4929 Deerwood Avenue: “We are still in the process of dealing with the tornado damage and the insurance claim.” - James Minshew, owner at 2109 Bent Oak Court, on performing roofing work without a permit: “I should've got permits. Yes, sir. And I really did when I really did it and I really did it.” - Winona Perry, who spoke for relatives at 5025 Orange Avenue: “We paid our neighbor to haul off junk... about 14 or 15 5-by-8 dump trailers I’ve gotten off the property in about 3 months.”

Ending

The magistrate set a series of Oct. 15 compliance hearings — in some cases the same date as the county’s scheduled followups — and warned that fines and liens will follow if owners do not obtain permits, demolish unsafe structures, or remove junk and overgrowth. Several property owners told the magistrate that probate or insurance disputes complicate repairs; the magistrate advised owners to coordinate with their attorneys and with Bay County Code Enforcement to document progress and avoid lienable penalties.