A Venice special magistrate found Arthur J. McCaffrey in violation of the City of Venice building regulations for conditions at 713 Groveland Avenue and ordered him to obtain a permit to repair or demolish the rear garage by March 4, 2025, or face fines of up to $250 per day. The case is set for review at the March 5, 2025 special magistrate hearing to determine compliance and whether fines should be imposed.

City code enforcement officer Wilberto Acosta testified that he inspected 713 Groveland on July 23, 2024, after a complaint and later conducted an official inspection on August 27, 2024 with the building official and the property owner present. Acosta described the rear garage as overgrown and “in such disrepair” with holes in the roof, extensive wood rot and a leaning structure that may fail or collapse. Acosta offered photographs and documents into evidence as “city composite exhibit number 1.”

The magistrate’s order found the respondent in violation of City of Venice Chapter 88, Building Regulations, section 3 (property maintenance) and gave McCaffrey until March 4, 2025 to correct the violation by obtaining a permit to make repairs or to obtain a permit for demolition. The magistrate warned that if the violation is not corrected by that date a fine of up to $250 per day may be imposed; the matter will be reviewed March 5, 2025 at 10 a.m.

McCaffrey told the magistrate he has been trying to hire contractors since hurricane damage beginning in 2022, has an insurance claim open on the garage, and sought additional time because his wife is due to give birth overseas; he asked for a 3–6 month window. The magistrate and city counsel explained that the order requires obtaining a permit by March 4, not completion of repairs, and that failure to obtain the permit may lead to fines. McCaffrey reiterated that he would not demolish the garage and said he is pursuing repairs.

Officers and counsel noted previous code-enforcement contacts and records going back years. Acosta testified he found records of prior complaints and inspections dating to 2013 and later, and that certified notices had been mailed to the listed owner.

The magistrate also explained the appeal process: the hearing is an evidentiary proceeding to determine whether a violation exists; if the magistrate issues an order the respondent may later file an appeal of that order. The order for 713 requires that a permit to repair or demolish be obtained by March 4, 2025; compliance and fines (if any) will be considered at the March 5 special magistrate hearing.

Ending — The magistrate closed the 713 Groveland matter after entering the order. The transcript shows the city will monitor compliance and return the case to the magistrate on March 5 for a compliance determination and potential fines.