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 were up to 12 weeks. The magistrate found a violation and gave 30 days to obtain a permit; after permitting, inspections must occur at least every 180 days until closed.

- 524 Avenue A / First United Methodist Church of Fort Pierce (bv2024-000152): The city flagged an irrigation system installed without a permit. A church trustee, Barney McBee, said the congregation sought a licensed irrigation contractor and that materials are being arranged. The magistrate found a violation and gave 60 days to pull the permit.

- The Lakes at the Savannas Condominium (multiple addresses): Miles Keller and other inspectors presented two separate matters: an unpermitted gazebo demolition (bv2024-000181, Sandhill Crane Drive) and an unpermitted fire-panel change (bv2024-0025, North Dovetail Drive). The magistrate found violations in both cases. The gazebo demolition matter received 60 days to obtain permits; the fire-panel changeout initially drew a 60-day recommendation but, after the condominium representative requested more time because specialty contractors are hard to obtain, the city amended its recommendation and the magistrate granted 90 days to obtain permits and approvals.

- B and B Better Business Management Services Inc / 702 and 702A North 15th Street (cases 24-1464702 and 24-1465702): Inspectors described roof repairs done without permits and multiple interior and plumbing/electrical issues. Owner representative Brenda Paulin Walton said she recently lost her husband and needs time to complete work. The magistrate found violations and granted 60 days to obtain permits; inspections must then occur every 180 days until permit closure.

- Sable Chase Essential Housing (bv2024-00024403, Maids Drive): The city reported a car-versus-building event that produced structural damage and an unsafe-structure posting. Property manager Keisha Smith said about 40% of interior work is done and identified the sealed engineering drawings as the principal outstanding item. The magistrate found violations and gave 60 days to obtain permits; staff recommended and the magistrate reiterated that occupants should vacate until conditions are remedied (the recommendation was stated by the city inspector).

- 1401 Avenue M / Carolyn Butler (bv2024-00029): Inspector Logan Winn described vehicle-impact damage to a porch column and related structural concern; Butler said she had not received earlier notices because a PO box on file was out of date and that she is obtaining contractor estimates. The magistrate found a violation and gave 60 days to obtain permits and inspections.

- 2001 South 30th Street / National Debt Relief Services Inc (bv2024-00033): The city listed multiple interior defects and unpermitted garage-to-living-space conversion work. The magistrate found violations and gave 60 days to obtain permits and inspections; plan-review rejections remain unresolved in the city record.

- Fine reductions, stays and lien actions

- 1509 Avenue E / Ronald and Janney Sweeting (case 23-2858): Staff recommended staying accrual of fines for 30 days to allow an electrical contractor to renew a permit and obtain final approval; the magistrate stayed accrual for 30 days.

- 108 North 8th Street, Apartment C / 5 Villegas LLC (case 24-6): The owner requested a full waiver of fines. Staff recommended reducing fines to administrative cost ($895.25). The magistrate reduced the outstanding amount to $895.25 and approved a payment plan of up to six months.

- 512 North 17th Street / Eliezer (Elazar) Alvarez (case 16-1371): An earlier large lien ($241,550) was addressed; staff recommended reducing the lien to administrative costs ($1,705.75). The magistrate adopted staff's recommendation; Alvarez said he will pay within 30 days.

- 715 South Ocean Drive / Boardwalk Condominium Association (case 23-1981): The association reported new engineering and a contractor engaged to address stairways, exterior and other defects; staff verified a permit application submitted Jan. 2 and recommended postponing lien imposition but continuing to allow fines to accrue until final inspections. The magistrate agreed to postpone imposition of a lien while permitting proceeds; fines will continue to accrue and the association may seek a future fine reduction after compliance.

- 2607 Booker Street / 1 Easy Buildings LLC (case 24-447): Counsel and an engineer's representative described repeated plan-review revisions and requests from the city; staff recommended and the magistrate granted a final 90-day stay of accrual and a 90-day extension for permit issuance. If the permit is not issued within that period, fines will resume.

What owners were told and next steps

City inspectors routinely entered photographic evidence into the record and described date-stamped photos showing pre-repair conditions. In most cases the magistrate found violations exist and set a deadline for owners or contractors to obtain permits. Where work required specialty contractors or engineering drawings (fire-panel changeouts, structural repairs after vehicle impacts, or complex condominium repairs), owners generally asked for additional time; staff and the magistrate sometimes granted extended periods (90 days) where city staff agreed.

Multiple owners and representatives described contractor delays, plan-review rejections or permit re-submissions. Several owners said they had already begun or substantially completed repairs and produced photographs; inspectors noted in some cases that plan-review rejections still awaited owner response.

The magistrate repeatedly informed property owners that if they anticipate needing more time they should contact the building department before the deadline; a 30-day right to appeal was noted for each decision.

Ending

The hearing resolved compliance timelines and, in several cases, reduced or postponed financial enforcement actions when owners showed progress or need; the city continues to monitor outstanding permits and plan-review activity. Owners who do not comply within the set deadlines face daily monetary fines and possible lien filings.