Bay County finds repeat overgrowth violations at 19420 Alta Vista Drive, gives owner five days to cut grass

Bay County's special magistrate found the property at 19420 Alta Vista Drive in unincorporated Bay County (Laguna Beach area) to be a repeat violator for overgrowth and ordered the owner to cut grass and weeds within five days or face fines and a lien.

Investigator Joe Tripp of Bay County Code Enforcement testified that his initial inspection showed grass "in excess of, a foot and a half tall." He said certified and regular notices of violation and hearing were sent to the property address on record and that mail was returned unclaimed in some instances. Tripp said he has had no communication with the property owner and that a neighbor reported the owner may be out of the country.

The magistrate noted multiple prior enforcement orders in the file and designated the respondent a repeat violator. The respondent was ordered to bring the property into compliance within five days by removing all overgrowth of grass and weeds. The magistrate set an initial fine of $400 and a daily fine of $75 to begin after the five-day period, to run for up to 25 days or until compliance; unpaid fines will become a lien on real and personal property in Bay County. A compliance hearing was scheduled for July 16 at 1 p.m.

The magistrate instructed the respondent to contact Code Enforcement about progress or delays in compliance. The order and photographic exhibits were posted and introduced into evidence during the hearing.