Ocala magistrate affirms staff recommendations across multiple code cases; compliance deadlines set

Ocala Magistrate Ryan Fong on Oct. 29, 2025, adopted city staff recommendations in a hearing that covered more than a dozen code‑enforcement matters, ordering owners to obtain permits and correct violations by specified deadlines and assessing prosecution costs where requested.

Why it matters: The rulings affect commercial and residential properties across Ocala and require some property owners to secure permits, reinstate landscaping and remove or regularize vehicles; several respondents told the magistrate they had begun corrective work but needed time to finish or to resolve permitting questions with the city’s one‑stop permit center.

Uptown Chic Boutique (CE25‑0316): The city alleged repeated outdoor displays in a zoning district that prohibits outdoor sales at 739 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Unit 207. Dale Hollingsworth, chief code official, said the owner had been warned several times and that the city was seeking prosecution costs of $247.11. Owner Sonya Vernon said she was a new business owner, that outdoor displays had been central to her advertising and that removing merchandise harmed sales: “my business kind of like went downhill.” Fong found the business had been in violation but was in compliance at the hearing, ordered continued compliance and included prosecution costs in the order.

Skylark Shippers LLC (202411091): Officer Ferrera described unpermitted removal of trees and a pending site permit for restriping at 1601 NE 25th Ave. Property manager Randy Buss said a recent storm damaged trees and the sign, that the sign repair cost about $20,000 and that restriping had just been completed; he said the site needs an irrigation meter and backflow device before tree replacements can be established. Buss asked for a nine‑month extension; the city opposed that and recommended the permit be applied for and issued by Dec. 25, 2025, with 30 days after issuance to complete work. Fong adopted the city’s recommended timeline and ordered prosecution costs as requested by staff.

Fairbanks Suites LLC (202410835): Inspector Jennifer Buller told the magistrate a prior permit was pulled for the wrong parcel, a replacement permit remained incomplete in the permitting queue and a derelict panel truck on site lacked a visible tag at the time of the city’s inspection. Property manager Bridal Young said replacement trees were ready to be planted but that permitting required a licensed contractor to assume responsibility for the permit; permitting staff told the manager the contractor signature was required to proceed. The magistrate found violations and ordered compliance by the established deadline, noting parties must resolve permitting questions with the one‑stop permit center.

Building permit violation, 801 NW First St. (CE25‑0686): Inspector Stephanie Smith reported a new deck and stairs built without a permit. Owner Yvette Gibbs Mitchell said a subcontractor told her a permit was not required and that the work extended beyond the original footprint; she said she has paid the subcontractor about $9,000 and is arranging financing to hire a contractor to bring the house and deck into compliance. Fong ordered compliance by Dec. 25, 2025, and advised Mitchell to consult permitting staff to ensure the contractor pulls correct permits.

Other matters: The magistrate heard multiple nuisance and housing‑code cases (weed and trash violations, trailer/commercial vehicle rules, vacant‑structure boarding permits and identification/marking violations). For each presented file the magistrate accepted staff evidence, found code violations where documented, adopted staff recommendations and included prosecution costs or fines in the orders. The city also presented a consent agenda of previously ordered cases (CE25‑0178; CE25‑0283; CE25‑0499; CE25‑0575; CE25‑0703; CE25‑0710; CE25‑0741; CE25‑0810; CE25‑0919; ENV25‑0165; ENV25‑0217; ENV25‑0220) and the magistrate found those matters noncompliant and ordered applicable fines per prior orders.

Quotes and process notes: Magistrate Ryan Fong opened the hearing explaining that “due process will be observed” and that the city would present evidence first. When Uptown Chic’s owner asked for a waiver of costs, Fong said he was not inclined to waive the charge at the hearing but suggested the respondent contact the city about payment options. On permitting disputes raised at Fairbanks Suites, Fong directed parties to resolve the contractor‑signature and permitting questions with the one‑stop permit center and said the limited scope of the magistrate’s authority required the case to be continued toward compliance rather than to resolve permitting policy.

What’s next: The magistrate’s written orders will be mailed to respondents; the magistrate noted the next scheduled meeting is Jan. 28, 2026, and that additional hearings may be noticed in the interim. Parties with outstanding permit questions were repeatedly told to coordinate with the permitting division to obtain the contractor sign‑off or application completeness required for issuance.