Pensacola code enforcement hearing imposes daily $25 fines and $200 court costs for three unpermitted-construction cases

The Pensacola Code Enforcement Authority ordered daily fines of $25 and $200 in court costs for three properties cited for unpermitted construction after a hearing July 22, 2025, in the Pensacola City Council chambers.

The rulings followed presentations by Director Bilbrey and building inspections staff, who told the hearing that permits had not been obtained for work at 3175 Bayou Drive (case 23-56), 7635 La Grande Drive (case 25-40) and 1112 West Cervantes Street (case 24-139). The authority set specific compliance dates for each property and directed fines to begin if the work was not permitted by those dates.

The orders reflect the authority’s enforcement of the Pensacola Municipal Code of Ordinances requirement that building permits be obtained before construction. Director Bilbrey asked the hearing to impose daily fines and to assess court costs for each property; the hearing officer granted those requests after reviewing records and evidence presented by building inspections staff.

For 3175 Bayou Drive (case 23-56), the record shows the court previously found the property in violation of Pensacola Municipal Code section 12-115 for working without permits and set a comply-by date. Director Bilbrey said, “As of today, there is no permit issued for the work, and so we asked the court to impose daily fines in the amount of $25 effective today,” and the hearing officer ordered fines of $25 per day to begin July 22, 2025, together with court costs of $200.

For 7635 La Grande Drive (case 25-40), building inspections reported that a prior order required a permit by July 21, 2025, but one had not been issued. The authority ordered daily fines of $25 starting July 22, 2025, and court costs of $200 payable within 30 days; building inspections clarified that court costs were waived at the initial proceeding but were now requested because the permit was not obtained.

Case 24-139, 1112 West Cervantes Street, began with a stop-work order placed June 13, 2024. Building inspections displayed photographs showing structural framing, new roof sheathing, electrical, rough plumbing and window work. Staff said a permit application and plan-review comments had been exchanged but the applicant did not respond to comments and a permit had not been issued. Christy Shields of the building inspections team testified, “The notice of hearing was posted... it was actually posted by Mr. McPherson on July 10,” and the hearing officer concluded there had been proper notice. The authority set a compliance date of August 25, 2025; if corrective action is not completed by that date, fines of $25 per day will begin August 26, 2025, and court costs of $200 are ordered payable within 30 days.

Throughout the hearing, staff referenced the relevant municipal code and Florida statutes as the legal basis for enforcement. The hearing officer twice confirmed the amount of court costs requested ($200) before entering the orders and noted the record supported finding proper notice under Florida law.

No members of the public appeared in the gallery to contest the cases, and the hearing concluded after the three matters were resolved. The fines will continue to accrue on each property as ordered until the violations are remedied or further action is taken by the authority.