Short-term rental fine reduced after Massey hearing; owner given 30 days to pay reduced administrative cost

Special Magistrate Burrow heard a Massey petition Sept. 16 for unit 3127 at 22400 South Ocean Drive and reduced a previously assessed $5,000 fine to the administrative cost of $858.63 after the owner demonstrated subsequent compliance.

The violator on the record is Carlos Alberto Russo; his son, Gabriel Russo, attended and said his father was a new owner and had not received notices promptly because their mailing address was out of county. Gabriel said the family obtained the required certificates and licenses and received an affidavit of compliance.

City staff outlined the enforcement history: an initial finding of violation, a $5,000 fine, an affidavit of noncompliance, and later an affidavit of compliance. Staff recommended reduction to $1,500 but noted administrative (“hard”) costs amounting to $858.63. Magistrate Burrow reduced the balance to the $858.63 administrative costs and ordered payment within 30 days, warning that failure to pay would revert the balance to $5,000.

Why this matters: The Massey process gives property owners administrative relief where compliance is documented after a fine is issued; the magistrate's reduction reflects the city's acceptance of affidavit of compliance and the owner's prompt corrective actions once notices were received.

What the owner said on the record: "As soon as we did receive that notice, I, you know, acted swiftly, and I was able to comply and get any, certificates and any licenses needed," Gabriel Russo told the magistrate.

Next steps: The owner must remit $858.63 within 30 days or the original $5,000 fine will be reinstated; the decision is subject to the 30‑day appeal period on the record.