Bay County magistrate orders abatements, fines and short extensions in multiple property compliance hearings

A special magistrate for Bay County on Aug. 13 held a day of compliance hearings across multiple properties, finding several in violation of Bay County Code Chapter 17 and authorizing county abatement, assessing fines and placing liens where owners failed to comply.

The session, presided over by Magistrate Tim Justice, focused on property maintenance and unpermitted structures. The magistrate repeatedly authorized Bay County Code Enforcement staff or a contractor to enter properties and abate identified violations when owners failed to comply with earlier orders. For several properties the magistrate also confirmed that fines and abatement costs will become liens on the real property and on other Bay County real or personal property owned by respondents.

Why it matters: the rulings can trigger county-funded demolition or cleanup contracts, place financial liens on parcels and, for some owners, start a path to foreclosure or county-led demolition if violations are not corrected.

Key outcomes and urgent items

- 1734 Buchanan Street, Southport: The magistrate found the property a repeat offender with an unfit primary structure and multiple accessory violations and authorized county abatement. Inspector testimony and photographs documented structural fire and roof damage, derelict vehicles and accumulated materials. The magistrate noted no engineering permit or permit application had been submitted and that the property is scheduled for foreclosure on Oct. 22, 2025. The magistrate directed that the county may enter and abate violations; related abatement costs and fines will be liens on the property. Inspector testimony flagged that an asbestos survey will be…