Special magistrate upholds fines, liens and authorizes abatements for multiple Bay County properties

The Bay County Special Magistrate on April 16, 2025, found multiple property owners in violation of county land-development and property-maintenance codes and ordered fines, daily assessments and liens; the magistrate also authorized code-enforcement staff and county contractors to enter properties to abate ongoing violations.

The rulings affect more than a dozen parcels across unincorporated Bay County, including an initial fine of $400 plus a $75 daily fine for the repeat violation at 6926 Coe Road and a reduced fine of $300 (plus accrued interest) for the owner of 6812 Roadrunner Road after the owner produced a roof permit and evidence of repair. The magistrate recorded that abatement costs and fines will become liens on offending properties under the county’s Uniform Assessment Collection Act (chapter 21 of the Bay County Code).

Why it matters: The orders allow Bay County to hire contractors to remove hazardous or blighted conditions and to place liens on property when owners do not pay. Several respondents said financial hardship, health problems or disaster recovery caused delays in compliance; the magistrate repeatedly cited prior notice and ordered continued enforcement in most cases.

The magistrate opened the hearing by saying, “I have reviewed the docket. I don't see any basis for a recusal as to any of the cases,” and proceeded through scheduled items, taking testimony from Bay County code-enforcement investigators and from property owners or their representatives.

Top outcomes and reasoning

- 6926 Coe Road (Joshua Marshall): The magistrate found a repeat violation of Bay County Land Development Regulation section 4‑0‑5 (residential zones) for a non‑lawful residential use. Officer Chris Hubbard of Bay County Code Enforcement testified that inspections on March 18 and April 14 showed personal items and a camper remained on the lot. The magistrate imposed an initial fine of $400 and a $75 daily…