Pensacola code magistrate orders compliance, fines and court costs in four property cases

Special Magistrate Ralph Peterson presiding over the City of Pensacola Code Enforcement Authority on Tuesday ordered compliance deadlines, daily fines and $200 court-cost awards in multiple property cases while finding two other properties back in compliance.

The rulings affect four separate code-enforcement cases involving sanitation or electrical service requirements. The magistrate opened the hearing at 2 p.m. in City Council Chambers and reviewed officer testimony and documentary evidence presented in each matter.

The most contested case involved 718 West Zaragoza Street (case CE251005). Officer Bowden, City of Pensacola code enforcement, testified that inspections beginning Feb. 12 showed the property without an electric meter and that a generator was being used on the front porch. Officer Bowden said, “Based upon the evidence presented, they asked the court to find that the property located at 718 West Saragosa Street be found in violation.” Peterson ordered the property owner or responsible party to have electrical service connected and compliant with applicable inspections by June 2, 2025; a $25-per-day fine will begin accruing on June 3 if the violation is not corrected. Peterson also ordered court costs of $200, payable within 30 days. During the hearing Walter Williams, who identified himself as representing the family that owns the house, said, “This is my mother's house.” Williams described ongoing probate and financial difficulties but did not offer evidence that the meter had been reconnected.

Three other matters were resolved or decided during the same session. In case CE251769 (1340 East Young Street), Code Enforcement Officer Tom Luschick reported the sanitation account had been activated as of May 16, 2025. Peterson said, “I'm going to find that the violation has been corrected and therefore, no fine will be ordered,” but he noted court costs previously assessed remain due within 30 days.

Case CE2251936 (905 North K Street) was found not in compliance by the May 19 due date, and the magistrate imposed a previously ordered $25-per-day fine; $200 in court costs was also assessed. For case CE252022 (6407 Beauclair Drive), Luschick testified the sanitation account was active as of May 13, 2025. The magistrate found the property was in violation when referred on April 30, 2025, but is now in compliance; he awarded court costs to the city in the amount of $200, payable within 30 days.

Officers presented photographic exhibits, account screenshots from the city sanitation/CIS system and affidavits of notice and posting. Magistrate Peterson repeatedly directed property representatives to contact city inspections and permitting staff to obtain required permits and to document steps toward reconnection or service activation.

The hearing record shows the authority relied on Florida Statute 162.07 and Pensacola Municipal Code section 13-2-6 in assessing court costs and on the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) sections cited by officers (IPMC 601.2 and 604.1) for electrical-service requirements. No roll-call votes were recorded on any item; the magistrate issued administrative orders based on the evidence and testimony presented.

Copies of the signed orders will be mailed to the addresses on file. The magistrate warned property owners that failure to meet the stated compliance dates will trigger daily fines where noted and that court costs remain due regardless of subsequent compliance.