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Fort Pierce special magistrate finds violations across two dozen properties, sets permit deadlines and fines
Summary
At a Jan. 9 special magistrate hearing, the City of Fort Pierce found code violations at multiple properties, issued deadlines for permits (typically 30–90 days), left the standard $100-per-day fine in place if work is not completed, and in several cases postponed liens or reduced fines after owners demonstrated progress.
A City of Fort Pierce special magistrate on Jan. 9, 2025 found property-code violations at multiple addresses across the city and issued deadlines for owners to obtain permits, complete repairs and secure inspections. Deadlines ranged from 30 to 90 days; the magistrate left in place a standard $100-per-day fine for noncompliance and affirmed a 30-day right to appeal in each case.
The hearing, which featured city building inspectors presenting photographs and property owners or their representatives responding, covered cases including unsafe structures, work performed without permits (driveway, windows, fire panel, pool barrier, HVAC/electrical work, interior build-outs), and requests to stay or reduce accumulated fines.
Why it matters: The hearing resolved immediate public-safety and permitting issues for rental and commercial properties, directed owners to obtain permits or face daily fines, and in several cases paused lien filings or reduced assessed fines when owners showed corrective steps. Those outcomes affect tenants, property owners and potential buyers or lenders who monitor liens and compliance status.
Major outcomes
- 511 Douglas Court (Case 24-997): Inspector Frank Remling testified to multiple International Property Maintenance Code violations including windows, electrical receptacles, interior surfaces, infestation and plumbing. Owner Richard Edwards told the magistrate he has completed about 85% of repairs and shown photos to the inspector. The magistrate found a violation exists and gave Edwards 60 days to obtain any required permits and inspections; otherwise a $100-per-day fine may be assessed. (Transcript excerpts: inspector report and owner remarks.)
- 1230 Seaway Drive / Hutchinson Fort Pierce Hospitality LLC (bv2024-00004): Joel Smith, city building inspector, described a damaged pool barrier that he said posed a safety risk. Margaret Perrell, general manager, said the hotel has a paid contract with a fence contractor but the contractor told her wait times to schedule…
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