Ocala magistrate adopts orders, extends compliance deadlines in multiple property-maintenance cases

Ryan Fong, an attorney appointed by the City of Ocala to act as magistrate, presided over a code enforcement hearing on Aug. 27, 2025, at 10:31 a.m. The magistrate adopted staff recommendations and entered orders in a series of property-maintenance cases; two respondents received extensions to complete corrective work.

The hearing combined routine enforcement findings with two contested personal-explanation statements. Dale Hollingsworth, the city’s chief code official and manager of the code enforcement division, presented most staff cases and evidence, including photographs. Magistrate Fong accepted the staff evidence and sworn testimony and entered orders consistent with staff recommendations in each matter.

Why this matters: the orders set compliance deadlines, assess administrative costs to property owners and, in several cases, label future violations as repeat offenses that may lead to certified orders being recorded in Marion County public records. Those outcomes can trigger daily fines, city abatement work and liens if corrective actions are not completed.

Key individual matters discussed included a commercial corner property represented by Top Notch Corners LLC, a vacant lot used for storage in northwest Ocala where the owner described health challenges and long-term residence, and several repeat violations involving vacant lots and homeowner-association property. For the commercial corner at 415 SE 32nd Street, the city reported crews were on site and recommended an extension to Sept. 18, 2025; the magistrate approved that extension. For a vacant lot in the 1500 block of NW 18th Court owned by Carlton McDonald, the magistrate accepted amended staff recommendations extending compliance to Nov. 20, 2025, and warned that fines will accrue daily if the items are not removed.

Magistrate Fong adopted staff recommendations and entered orders finding violations of the City of Ocala code in the following property categories: overgrown vegetation and trash accumulations (Sec. 34-95); abandoned, derelict or hazardous pools and spas (Sec. 82-157 / as cited in the record); derelict vehicles (Sec. 34-122); tree removal without permit (Sec. 118-71); and zoning/permitted-use violations in an R-2 district (Sec. 122-332). For multiple properties the magistrate recorded administrative costs assessed to the city’s file and noted that repeat violations may result in certified orders recorded in Marion County.

Quotes from respondents and staff were restricted to those sworn at the hearing. Clay Albright, representing Top Notch Corners LLC, told the magistrate that labor issues had slowed cleanup and that commercial mowing crews “don’t bag anything,” adding he expected the work to be finished by the time of the hearing. He also confirmed prosecution costs had been paid. Carlton McDonald, the owner of a Northwest 18th Court lot, described personal circumstances and said he had placed a camper on the lot after losing his longtime residence; he said he was attempting to complete repairs and building permits. Hollingsworth and other city staff said the city extended deadlines to give respondents time to complete corrections but warned of fines if compliance was not met.

The magistrate granted the requested extensions or otherwise adopted staff recommendations in each case presented, and the city confirmed it will include assessed costs in the orders. The magistrate also accepted a list of previously noticed cases on the consent agenda as noncompliant and entered orders consistent with earlier findings.

Votes at a glance (case number — respondent — outcome / key details):

ENV25-0082 — Top Notch Corners LLC (415 SE 32nd St.) — extension to 09/18/2025 granted; prosecution costs paid (as stated by respondent).

CE25-0492 — Carlton McDonald and Pamela Lewis (vacant lot, 1500 block NW 18th Ct.) — staff recommendation amended; compliance extended to 11/20/2025; failure to comply by 7 a.m. 11/21/2025 will trigger penalties; administrative cost included in order.

CE25-0178 — Nora E. O’Connor Estate (3318 E. Fort King St.) — violations found (pool, derelict vehicle, weeds/trash); staff recommendations adopted; classified as repeat violation; administrative costs included.

CE25-0283 — Springwood Village Condominium Association LLC (1406 SE 27th St.) — tree removal without permit found; staff recommendations adopted; city costs assessed and included in order; future violations may be recorded as repeat.

ENV25-0149 — Ocala Real Property Investors Group Inc. (3120 SW 27th Ave.) — violations for weeds/trash found; staff recommendations adopted; administrative cost $222.55 included in order.

ENV25-0178 — Easy Street Business Center POA Inc. (2100 block SW 21st Circle) — repeat violations found for overgrowth in a retention/drainage area; staff recommendations adopted; administrative cost $206.91 included in order; city advised it may abate if compliance is not met.

CE25-0535 — Susan Mead (2601 NE 28th Ave.) — pool violation remains; extension to 09/18/2025 granted for the pool only; the record indicates prosecution cost has been paid (amount as listed in the record).

Consent agenda found noncompliant and orders entered (previously noticed): CE25-0403; CE25-0419; CE25-0474; CE25-0494; CE25-0563; CE25-0656; ENV25-0108.

Clarifying details recorded in the hearing: the city cited notices were provided in accordance with Chapter 163 of the Florida Statutes; several cases were classified as repeat violations and the record states certified orders may be recorded in Marion County public records; the city indicated that, after a magistrate order, it will hire contractors to abate landscaping/overgrowth if respondents do not comply.

The magistrate closed the hearing at 10:57 a.m.; the next code enforcement hearing was scheduled for Sept. 24, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.