Ocala magistrate orders compliance, fines and costs in code-enforcement hearing covering 14 properties

Ocala Special Magistrate Ryan Fong on Wednesday found code violations at multiple properties across the city and adopted staff recommendations that set compliance deadlines, prosecution-cost awards and potential per‑day fines for noncompliance.

The hearing, convened at 10:31 a.m. on July 30, covered a docket of cases brought by the City of Ocala’s code enforcement division alleging property‑maintenance, permit and signage violations. Fong repeatedly adopted staff recommendations to require corrective action, include prosecution costs in orders and, where warranted, classify repeat violations and authorize abatement and recording of liens in Marion County public records.

The matters were largely routine enforcement actions: findings that properties had unlawful accumulations of trash or weeds, work completed without required building permits, noncompliant signage and other maintenance or zoning infractions. In most cases the magistrate set a deadline for compliance and added the city’s prosecution cost to the order; several matters were designated repeat violations under the city code.

Votes at a glance (case number, property, violation(s), order summary): - CE25-0475 (2045 NW First St.): Violations of city code sections 122-3-32 (permitted uses in R‑2) and 34-95 (weeds/trash). Magistrate adopted staff recommendations, ordered corrective action and included city prosecution costs of $237.66; repeat‑violation language noted for future offenses.

- ENV25-0082 (415 SE 30th St.; Top Notch Corners LLC / Robert C. Albright): Violation of section 34-95 (weeds/trash). Magistrate adopted staff recommendations, set compliance…