Pensacola magistrate orders fines, costs and one continuance across multiple property cases

Ralph Peterson, a special magistrate for the City of Pensacola, on June 17, 2025, issued findings of code violations, assessed court costs and set daily fines for several properties across the city while continuing one case to July 1, 2025, at the request of the respondent.

The orders affect properties at 4005 King Arthur Drive, 5835 Sanders Avenue, 2232 Creighton Road, 519 West Avery Street, 3935 Potosi Road and 6220 Keating Road. One matter involving 405 East Blunt Street was continued to the July 1 code hearing. The magistrate entered daily fines ranging from $25 to $50 in cases where compliance deadlines were not met and directed payment of court costs where noted.

The magistrate opened the hearing by noting testimony and photographic evidence had been submitted by city officers and that notices and postings were on the record. Jason Hendricks, a city code enforcement officer, presented photographs and requested that the property at 405 East Blunt Street be found in violation and that court costs of $200 be ordered and a $25-per-day fine begin on July 15 if corrective action was not completed by July 14. The respondent, Loretta Rosado, stated she had retained an attorney and asked for a continuance; the magistrate continued that case to July 1, 2025, at 2 p.m.

Tom Lucio and Kevin Smith, both code enforcement specialists/officers for the City of Pensacola, presented evidence in multiple cases showing either continued noncompliance or partial compliance since prior hearings. The magistrate ordered the following outcomes (summaries below list the address, cited code or ordinance, ordered remedy, and deadlines when specified):

Votes at a glance

- Case CE252593 — 4005 King Arthur Drive: Found in noncompliance with municipal ordinance requiring use of solid waste collection services (municipal ordinance 4-3-41). The magistrate assessed a $25-per-day fine to commence on entry of the order, 06/17/2025.

- Case CE252162 — 5835 Sanders Avenue: Found in noncompliance for accessory structures and motor-vehicle-related code violations (IPMC 302.7, 302.8). The magistrate ordered a $25-per-day fine to begin 06/17/2025; the property was reported vacant and a relative present had indicated removal efforts but the shed remained in disrepair.

- Case CE252573 — 2232 Creighton Road: Found in violation for lack of sanitation service; court costs of $200 were assessed and the violation was recorded as of 06/04/2025.

- Case CE2552694 — 519 West Avery Street: Initially found in violation for overgrowth and right-of-way maintenance (municipal ordinances 4-3-18 and 11-4-72) but presented as corrected on the morning of June 17. The magistrate found proper notice had been provided, awarded court costs of $200 payable within 30 days, and noted the property is now corrected.

- Case CE252376 — 3935 Potosi Road: Found in violation for excessive vegetation, accumulation of household items and nuisance conditions (municipal ordinances 4-3-18, 11-4-72 and 14-4-3). Compliance was ordered by June 30, 2025; if not achieved, a $25-per-day fine will begin on July 1, 2025. Court costs of $200 were assessed.

- Case CE25114620 — 6220 Keating Road: Found in violation of International Property Maintenance Code provisions including exterior decay and accumulation of rubbish (IPMC 304.1, 304.2, 304.6, 304.7, 304.13, 308.1). The magistrate ordered compliance by June 30, 2025; if not met a $50-per-day fine will begin on July 1, 2025. Court costs of $200 were assessed. The structure was described by an officer as vacant and owned by a nearby church, with demolition under consideration.

- Case CE2411659 — 405 East Blunt Street: Code enforcement officer Jason Hendricks presented photographic evidence of missing and cracked siding, broken windows, a substandard roof and related IPMC violations, and asked the authority to find the property in violation, assess $200 in court costs and impose a $25-per-day fine beginning July 15 if corrective action had not been completed by July 14. Respondent Loretta Rosado said she had retained counsel and requested a continuance. The magistrate continued the matter to the July 1, 2025 hearing at 2:00 p.m.

Court costs, fines and compliance dates were established in accordance with the city’s referral of each matter for hearing and the authority’s findings. Janette Richardson, assistant city attorney, appeared on behalf of the code enforcement authority on procedural matters and left the continuance decision to the magistrate.

Jason Hendricks told the magistrate that photographs presented at the hearing were “a true and accurate representation of what the property looks like today.” Loretta Rosado said, “We respectfully request an extension for placement on the July or August calendar,” and named counsel Antonio Hernandez as her attorney of record.

The magistrate closed the docket after finding notice had been properly provided in each case and entering the orders on the record. Cases with compliance deadlines were given firm cutoff dates and specified per-day fines to begin on the stated start dates if violations were not abated.

The orders will be entered in writing and copies will be mailed or posted as required; several officers noted notices had been mailed by certified mail and posted at City Hall and on properties when service was not obtained.

The hearing adjourned after the final case was addressed.