Pensacola code enforcement orders fines, notes compliance and a continuance at July 8 hearing

Pensacola’s Code Enforcement Authority, presided over by Special Magistrate Ralph Peterson, heard seven property cases on July 8, 2025, at City Council Chambers. The authority found several properties out of compliance with city building and property‑maintenance ordinances, ordered or confirmed court costs, and set or confirmed daily fines where permits or abatement had not been completed. One matter was continued to give the owner time to complete approvals from the Architectural Review Board (ARB).

Why this matters: Code‑enforcement findings can lead to daily fines, liens or forced abatement and affect property owners’ ability to rebuild or sell. Several cases involved work done without a permit; one involved an unsafe, fire‑damaged structure that inspectors said requires demolition or repair to remove the safety hazard.

The hearing opened with procedural matters and then moved through docketed cases. Officer Weekley of the Building Inspection Division presented evidence and photographs in each matter and recommended orders according to prior findings and the Pensacola Municipal Code. Special Magistrate Peterson admitted the city’s documents where offered and, depending on the case, either found compliance, set deadlines for abatement and assessed daily fines, or continued a case to permit additional review.

Key outcomes (by property):

- 710 North Seventh Avenue (Case No. 2341710): The property owner, identified in the hearing as Richard Bankes Jr., told the authority the ARB had granted demolition approval but that final approval for reconstruction would not be available until the ARB’s next full review. Bankes testified that he and his architect believed preliminary drawings plus demolition approval would allow them to pull a permit immediately, but "we cannot do it until we get final approval" (the next ARB meeting was described as Aug. 21). The magistrate continued the matter to the Sept. 23, 2025 hearing at 2 p.m. to allow the owner time to complete ARB review and to pull required permits. (The underlying order from Feb. 25, 2025 found a violation for working without permits and had authorized a $25‑per‑day fine to begin July 8 if not remedied.)

- 313 West Intendencia (Case No. 24181): Inspector testimony and photographs documented severe fire damage to structural members. Officer Weekley asked the court to find the structure unsafe under the Pensacola Municipal Code and the International Property Maintenance Code and to order abatement. The respondent (speaking in the hearing as "Miss Debanes") said she had not realized the property was officially deemed unsafe until late May or early June when a second notice was retrieved, and that she is pursuing demolition and working with an architect. The magistrate admitted the city’s exhibits, found a violation, ordered the owner to abate the unsafe condition by Aug. 25, 2025, and set a $25‑per‑day fine to commence Aug. 26, 2025 if abatement has not occurred. The magistrate also ordered court costs of $200 to be paid within 30 days.

- 722 South J Street (Case No. 24237): Building inspection records showed an earlier order requiring a permit by July 7, 2025. During the hearing the city reported the permit was issued that morning. Magistrate Peterson found the case in compliance as of July 8, 2025. The court cost of $200 remained due; city staff said they had sent an invoice that day.

- 1835 West Chase Street (Case No. 24‑2): The court found there had been no compliance by the July 7 deadline. The magistrate ordered a $25‑per‑day fine commencing July 8, 2025. Court costs of $200 were recorded as paid.

- 2369 North Palafox Street (Case No. 2485): That property’s compliance deadline of July 7 was not met. The magistrate ordered a $100‑per‑day fine to commence July 8, 2025; the record reflects prior continuances. Court costs of $200 were noted as paid.

- 714 West Wright Street (Case No. 24190.7): The hearing record showed no permit had been issued by the July 7 deadline. The magistrate ordered a $25‑per‑day fine to begin July 8, 2025; court costs of $200 remained outstanding.

- 1000 North D Street (Case No. 2537): The magistrate found the property out of compliance with the July 7 deadline and ordered a $25‑per‑day fine to begin July 8, 2025. Court costs of $200 were noted as due.

Magistrate Peterson repeatedly advised respondents to stay in contact with Building Inspection staff (Officer Weekley) and urged owners to expedite permits or demolition where required. Where permits were issued during the hearing or abatement completed before the fine start date, the magistrate closed the matter; where compliance remained incomplete, daily fines and court costs were ordered per Florida statutory authority cited by city staff.

Votes at a glance (formal orders and deadlines): - 710 N. Seventh Ave. (2341710): Continued to Sept. 23, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.; prior order allowed $25/day beginning July 8 if not remedied. (Reason: pending final ARB approval.) - 313 W. Intendencia (24181): Unsafe structure finding; abate by Aug. 25, 2025; $25/day starts Aug. 26, 2025; $200 court costs ordered within 30 days. - 722 S. J St. (24237): Compliance found July 8, 2025 (permit issued); $200 court costs remain due (invoice sent). - 1835 W. Chase St. (24‑2): No compliance by July 7; $25/day assessed beginning July 8, 2025; court costs recorded as paid. - 2369 N. Palafox (2485): No compliance by July 7; $100/day assessed beginning July 8, 2025; court costs recorded as paid. - 714 W. Wright St. (24190.7): No compliance by July 7; $25/day assessed beginning July 8, 2025; $200 court costs due. - 1000 N. D St. (2537): No compliance by July 7; $25/day assessed beginning July 8, 2025; $200 court costs due.

What happens next: Respondents who wish to avoid daily fines must either obtain the required permits or abate unsafe structures by the deadlines set in the respective orders. The one continued matter (710 N. Seventh Ave.) will return to the authority on Sept. 23, 2025, to report on ARB action and any permitting progress.