West Palm Beach magistrate orders compliance, fines and lien reductions in Nov. 5 hearing

The City of West Palm Beach Special Magistrate on Nov. 5 entered findings in dozens of code-enforcement matters, setting compliance deadlines and fines for properties with trash, overgrowth, unpermitted work, failing driveways and other violations. The magistrate also approved negotiated reductions in several large lien cases and assessed administrative sanitation fees where city crews removed refuse after failed reinspection.

Major outcomes and orders at a glance

- 1365 11th Street (CE14090387): Magistrate reduced a recorded lien from $751,200 to $25,000, citing the new owner’s remediation work and cooperation; payment due in 120 days. Attorney for the owner said the buyer spent roughly $36,000 to legalize and repair the property after purchase.

- 4105 Greenwood Ave. (CE25023352): The magistrate approved a negotiated lien reduction from $3,800 to $570; payment due in 120 days (representative said matter tied to a probate/estate administration).

- 3600 North Australian Ave. (CE24041741): Negotiated reduction approved; lien lowered to $930 payable in 120 days (church-related property; counsel represented the owner).

- 3801 / 3800 Greenwood Ave. (CE22010051): A previously large lien ($224,900) was reduced to $6,700 with 120 days to pay after the new owner demonstrated major rehabilitation work.

- Routine compliance orders: The magistrate entered findings of violation in many residential and commercial cases. Typical sanctions were 30–120 days to comply (depending on complexity) or daily fines ranging from $50 to $150 once the deadline passed. Examples include notices for failing to secure permits for fences and interior renovations (60–120 days to comply), unpermitted commercial structures, driveway and parking surfacing, exterior paint and vegetation maintenance.

- Sanitation/bulk pickups: In three special-sanitation cases the city removed items that failed reinspection and the magistrate assessed administrative recovery fees under the city fee schedule: $350–$450 per removal (fee covers collection, reinspection and administrative costs).

What the hearing shows

The agenda combined many routine code-enforcement matters that the city pursues to keep neighborhoods safe and sanitary with a handful of higher-profile disputes and lien-reduction requests. Magistrate Amity Barnard routinely admitted city photographic exhibits and affidavits of posting, found that city service for hearings was legally sufficient, and issued orders that matched staff recommendations in most routine cases. For complex matters — notably the two large lien files and the artificial-turf dispute (handled separately) — the magistrate balanced the seriousness of the code violations against remediation performed by new owners and other equities in setting reduced lien amounts or continuances.

Selected speakers and roles

- Special Magistrate Amity Barnard presided and issued rulings. - Code Enforcement Officers and inspectors presenting cases included Joe Valdez (building inspector), Tony Apicella, Katie Weaver, Richard Pazmino, Rafael Forrester and others. They entered photographs, permits and affidavits of posting into evidence. - Property owners and representatives appeared for contested items (for example, Raymond Massarella on the turf case; Micky Marrero for the 1365 11th Street lien reduction; Ricardo Freitas/FrEitas Housing for historic-property rehabilitation).

What to expect next

Most compliance orders include reinspection instructions; property owners were told to coordinate with the listed code officer to confirm when work is completed. The artificial-turf matter was continued to March 4, 2026 to allow time for DEP rule adoption and permit review. Lien reductions require payment by the dates specified in the clerk’s order; if payment is not timely the reduced amounts will revert to the original liens and the city may pursue collection.

Requests for records and follow-up

Code enforcement case files, copies of admitted exhibits and the magistrate’s written orders will be filed with the City Clerk and are available per established public-record procedures.