Bay County magistrate continues and fines multiple code-enforcement cases; several owners ordered to secure permits or face abatement

Bay County special magistrate hearings on Feb. 2025 reviewed multiple property compliance matters, resulting in continuances with deadlines for corrected permits, and orders to assess abatement costs and fines in several cases.

The magistrate told multiple property owners they must obtain required permits or documentation by court-set deadlines or face fines and county abatement. “You have got to address the issues that the building department raises by that date,” the magistrate said during the hearing on the case at 6811 Thomas Drive, continuing that matter to March 12, 2025.

Why it matters: these enforcement actions can lead to immediate fines, daily penalties and, if the county performs abatements, monetary liens against the properties under Bay County’s enforcement authority. Neighbors and property buyers can be affected by abatement liens and demolition actions.

Most consequential outcomes

- 6811 Thomas Drive (compliance hearing): Investigator Robert Clarkson presented photos and a prior magistrate order finding violations for junk, overgrowth, derelict trailers, unscreened personal property and an unsafe balcony. The magistrate continued the matter to March 12, 2025, and ordered the owner to address building-department requirements (including a temporary egress plan) by that date. Earlier magistrate sanctions included an initial fine…