Bay County special magistrate authorizes abatements and fines for multiple property-code violations

The Bay County special magistrate held a compliance hearing on Aug. 11–12, 2025, and found a series of residential parcels in violation of Bay County Code section 17 (property maintenance), authorizing county staff or contractors to abate the violations and imposing fines and liens where specified.

The magistrate found violations ranging from junk, derelict vehicles and overgrowth to unfit or unsafe structures. Inspectors testified that many properties remained noncompliant after magistrate orders issued on July 10, 2025. Where inspectors had engineering reports or permit activity, the magistrate in some cases gave owners additional short deadlines to obtain permits; in other cases the magistrate imposed fines and authorized immediate abatement.

Key actions and orders

2038 Ballpark Road (Item D): Tim Justice, senior investigator for Bay County Code Enforcement, introduced photographs and testified that the property remained in violation for junk, appliances, overgrowth and unscreened personal property after a July 10 magistrate order. The magistrate found the respondent failed to comply with the July 10 order and determined an initial fine of $200 and a daily fine of $25 had accrued through the Aug. 11 reinspection; the county is authorized to enter and abate violations and place abatement costs and fines as liens on the property. Justice noted the parcel is scheduled for a tax-deed sale on Sept. 30, 2025. Frederick Brugge, who identified himself as present on behalf of the property, said he was removing the trailer and its contents the afternoon of the hearing: "I've got the junk stuff cleared up. I'm actually taking the trailer this afternoon, taking it and getting rid of everything on it, and then I've got almost everything cleaned up."

930 West Pearson Drive (Item F): Inspector Scott Thorpe testified the July 10 magistrate order found the structure unfit and unsafe as well as in violation for junk, debris and overgrowth. Southeast…