Sarasota magistrate continues dozens of code-enforcement cases, imposes several fines and deadlines

Magistrate Richard Ellis on Aug. 14 presided over a long City of Sarasota code-enforcement docket that produced a mix of continuances, findings of compliance and assessed fines or costs across dozens of cases.

The hearing covered property code, zoning and Florida Building Code violations — most commonly work without permits, overgrown lots and accumulation of junk — and set follow-up dates for cases where permits, inspections or cleanup remain outstanding. Several respondents were found in compliance and had fines reduced or waived.

The hearing matters matter because they affect property owners’ obligations, neighborhood conditions and potential civil fines that can accrue daily if violations remain uncorrected.

Most of the docket consisted of routine continuances to allow respondents to complete permit submittals or inspections. For example, the case against Linda R. Brenner for an alleged Florida Building Code 2023, section 105.1 violation was continued to Oct. 2, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., after Brenner reported insulation work was complete and that she expected final inspections within about 30 days. Ellis said, “I’ll continue the case out to Oct. 2, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.”

Other continuances were set to give property owners or their contractors time to respond to correction requests from city staff. Dang Duc Tran’s permit transmittal was said to be pending FEMA-related information; the magistrate continued that case to Oct. 9, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Cargo Care Services Corporation was continued to Sept. 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., so the contractor and owner could confirm that outstanding permit corrections submitted on July 18 had been processed.

The magistrate and city representative, identified in the record as Mr. Spence, also imposed fines or costs in several matters where violations remained or had previously accrued fines. The court imposed an $8,700 civil fine and $3.90 in costs in the case captioned City of Sarasota v. Robert L. Jackson (case no. 202500819); Ellis found the violations continuing and started a $100-per-day running fine. A different case, City of Sarasota v. Robert Bazewski and Joanna Bazewski (202500339), was assessed a reduced civil fine of $500 and $6.90 in costs after the city reported the violations had been corrected. Ellis imposed a $2,000 fine and $4.65 in costs in the case against a vacation-rental respondent (Skyline Family Trust LLC / Peter Kenneth Adams) after staff presented a completed inspection showing correction on Aug. 13.

In several cases the city recommended smaller, one-day fines or only costs in recognition of corrective work. For example, the magistrate accepted the city’s recommendation of no civil fine and $4.65 in costs for Barbara Richardson (case no. 202500313) after an inspection showed compliance on Aug. 8. For FAT Experts LLC (business-tax matter), the city reported that payment and registration had been completed on Aug. 13; Ellis found that the 19-3(a) violation was corrected and imposed no fines or costs.

Some complex matters were set for longer follow-up. Tenth Way Corporation’s multiple related cases — including alleged tree removals and topography/erosion-control permit issues — were set for a consolidated status hearing on Oct. 9, 2025, at 2 p.m.; counsel said their client had engaged an engineering firm to apply for the required erosion-control permit and a tree survey would accompany that application. Ellis kept the status quo while the parties pursue permitting and suggested the city arborist and counsel coordinate before the next hearing.

Magistrate Ellis repeatedly told respondents that once a property is fully corrected the court will review accrued fines and may reduce or eliminate them, and he urged property owners to prioritize permit submittals and inspection calls so cases can be closed rather than letting fines continue to accrue. He also reminded several respondents that the city’s repeat-violator provisions can impose substantially higher daily fines if the same violation recurs within five years.

The magistrate set multiple return dates in early October for many cases where inspections, permit corrections or cleanup remain outstanding. A handful of cases were closed or had large previously assessed fines vacated after evidence of correction or sale of the property was shown.

What’s next: Most continued cases will return in September or October for status checks or final hearings once the work of permits, inspections or cleanup is reported complete. Parties were repeatedly told to contact the building or permitting divisions to confirm outstanding correction lists and to call inspections once work is complete so the magistrate can consider revising fines at a final hearing.