Special magistrate orders multiple Fort Pierce property owners to fix code violations, sets deadlines and fines

Special Magistrate Jamie Barrow ordered multiple property owners and vehicle owners in Fort Pierce to correct code violations and nuisance conditions in a hearing on June 4, 2025, setting deadlines that range from seven to 60 days and prescribing daily fines for failures to comply.

The orders addressed parking and citation appeals, nonoperable vehicles, lot-clearing and landscaping violations, and exterior-structure and accessory-structure repairs. The rulings affect individual residents and business owners and require some property owners to obtain permits or apply for building permits before work begins.

Barrow opened the hearing by explaining the process and then heard evidence from city code-enforcement officers and statements from respondents. The magistrate repeatedly found that violations existed and set deadlines tied to the notices of violation and the city’s nuisance-abatement procedures.

Among the most urgent orders, Barrow gave seven days for property owners to cut grass, trim landscaping and remove trash in several lot-clearing cases. The magistrate ordered 7-day deadlines in cases including LotClearing 2025-68 (805 Texas Court), LotClearing 2025-704 (534 South Fifth Street), LotClearing 2025-95 (1411 Avenue M) and LTCL 2025-88 (North 20 Fifth Street). For each of those cases the magistrate warned that a failure to comply would trigger city abatement and a $100-per-day fine, with the costs to be assessed to the property and a 30-day window to appeal.

Barrow also ordered a 15-day deadline for MJG Investments LLC at 625 South U.S. Highway 1 (case CE2025-133) to remove old business signage, clear weeds, remove window shutters and obtain any necessary permits. The magistrate said failure to comply would result in a $250-per-day fine and left a 30-day appeal period.

In a property-repair case at 2402 Oleander Boulevard (CE2025-111), involving Nicholas and Pamela Kapsis, Barrow found multiple International Property Maintenance Code violations (for exterior structure, windows and doors, protective treatment, address identification, and roofs and drainage). Because the owner had applied for a shed-removal and debris-removal permit, the magistrate gave 45 days to complete specified repairs — including pressure washing and painting, repairing or…