Bay County magistrate hears multiple code-enforcement cases; fines, compliance deadlines set

Magistrate Tiffany Surdo presided over a Bay County special-magistrate hearing Thursday, May 15, during which staff presented 11 code-enforcement cases involving blight, unpermitted structures, storage on vacant lots and stagnant water. The magistrate accepted staff recommendations in each case with tailored orders ranging from reduced fines to 10- or 30-day compliance deadlines and future compliance hearings.

Why this matters: Code-enforcement orders can lead to civil fines, liens on property and, in severe cases, demolition or abatement by the county. Outcomes affect property owners, neighbors and the county’s ability to maintain public health and safety standards.

The magistrate opened with the case at 9313 Jody Lane (case 23-00167). Bay County code enforcement documented storage of recreational vehicles, multiple vehicles, an unpermitted shed and partially completed pole-barn construction. Code enforcement recommended a 10-day compliance period and standard fines (an initial $200 and $25 per day after the 10th day). Respondent David Toole said he is disabled, has cognitive impairments and has been working on the property intermittently; he requested more time to comply. Surdo said she would allow the permitting process to proceed if the owner applies and would otherwise extend the time for compliance. “What I'm gonna do is change that to 30 days to bring everything else on the property into compliance if you don't go down the route of applying or speaking to the permitting department to get that taken care of,” the magistrate said on the…