Bay County magistrate denies stay request, orders demolitions and fines across multiple properties

The Bay County special magistrate on Sept. 17 denied a motion to stay demolition at 1734 Buchanan Street, authorized county abatement or demolition of unsafe primary structures at multiple parcels and imposed fines for code violations, while closing several cases found to be back in compliance.

The magistrate said he would “call her the intervener” and denied the request to stay demolition at 1734 Buchanan Street, finding that prior enforcement and the state of the property weighed against relief. “The intervener based on today's hearing has failed to demonstrate good cause to stay the demolition,” the magistrate said.

The ruling follows testimony from Bay County code enforcement and building department staff that several properties remain unfit or unsafe despite earlier orders. Inspector Scott Thorpe, Bay County Building/Code Enforcement, introduced photographs and permit records across multiple dockets and described collapsed roofs, unpermitted additions and uncompleted demolition permits at properties brought before the magistrate.

Why it matters: the magistrate's orders authorize the county to enter properties and contract for abatement or demolition; costs of abatement will be assessed as liens against the properties under the county's collection procedures. That can trigger county-funded demolition on properties where owners do not or cannot correct violations, with costs passed to the owners.

Key outcomes and excerpts

- 1734 Buchanan Street: The magistrate denied a motion to…