City of Sarasota magistrate hears code-compliance docket; fines, continuances, and dismissals issued

Special Magistrate Richard Ellis presided over a code-compliance docket for the City of Sarasota on Aug. 21, 2025, hearing more than a dozen property cases involving building permits, overgrowth, debris, illegal signs and unpermitted vacation-rental activity. City staff (identified in the record as "Miss Kennedy") presented the city's position on each case and respondents or their agents gave updates or agreed to compliance timelines.

Many cases were closed after city inspections showed correction. Where violations remained or permits were incomplete, Ellis generally continued matters to give respondents time to secure permits, complete inspections or remove debris. In several cases the magistrate vacated prior larger fines and entered new one-day civil fines plus inspection costs; in others the city sought only costs or no fines at all. One matter was dismissed because the city failed to serve required notice.

The docket covered two broad categories: (1) hurricane-related repairs that require after‑the‑fact building permits under Florida Building Code 105.1, and (2) city-code violations such as accumulation of junk (City Code 16-47), overgrowth (16-49(b)/(c)), zoning trees/rights-of-way (City Zoning Code 7-313/7-316/7-325) and unpermitted signs or vacation-rental registrations (City Code 7-107; 34.5-19(a)). The magistrate repeatedly emphasized that compliance often ends proceedings but warned respondents that repeat violations within five years can trigger much larger daily fines under the city's repeat‑violator provisions.

Votes at a glance (selected docket items and magistrate rulings)

- City of Sarasota v. Teresa Chestnut (Case 202500538): Violation of City Code 16-47 (accumulation of junk). City inspection found correction on July 15, 2025. Magistrate Ellis vacated prior orders and imposed a one-day civil fine of $500 and city costs of $4.65. (Outcome: fine imposed; prior orders vacated.)

- City of Sarasota v. 351-353 St. Armands Circle LLC / Mark Anderson (Case 202500258): Violation of Florida Building Code 105.1 (hurricane-related drywall repairs exceeding threshold without permit). Respondent working with contractor; no permit in system at hearing. Case continued to Oct. 9, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. to allow permit application/inspection. (Outcome: continued.)

- City of Sarasota v. Ford Properties of Sarasota LLC / Andrew Ford (Case 202500567): FBC 105.1 (electrical work after fire). City records show permit issued and closed Aug. 19, 2025. Magistrate vacated prior large…