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Roundup: Citrus County special-master hearing issues numerous cure periods and fines; many routine cases resolved

Citrus County Code Compliance Special Master Hearing · November 20, 2025

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Summary

The special master handled dozens of code enforcement items on Nov. 19, issuing cure periods (commonly 30–90 days) and daily fines (commonly $50–$400) for unpermitted work, junk accumulation, overgrown lawns and temporary RV occupancy. Several no-contest resolutions were adopted to avoid contested hearings.

Citrus County’s code compliance hearing on Nov. 19 resulted in scores of orders resolving routine nuisance and land-development violations. The special master adopted many no-contest resolutions and issued cure periods typically ranging from 7 to 150 days, with daily fines if properties are not brought into compliance.

Selected outcomes from the hearing include:

- Colleen Marie Ashmore (case 20251604): 90 days to cure violations related to keeping about a dozen horses on roughly 3 acres; $50/day if not abated. - Austin Branca & Lacey Provencher (case 20251686): 60 days and $100/day for tree debris and household trash; county reported progress and Special Master adopted the resolution. - Jason and Jennifer LaFrancois (case 20251709): 7 days to remove junk with $50/day thereafter. - Prater Corporation (case 20251650): After the respondent secured an after-the-fact permit the morning of the hearing, the special master did not impose a fine. - A range of site-development cases where owners had brought in fill or graded without a permit (e.g., Graham Fruit Farm, LaFrancois neighbors, Hammersley) resulted in one-time fines ranging from $1,500 up to daily penalties where work remained unpermitted; some cases were continued or resolved with a permit application in process. - Several livestock- and animal-related matters (including a goat used as an emotional-support animal) resulted in time-limited abatements (commonly 45–60 days) and $100/day fines if unresolved.

Across the docket the special master emphasized milestone-based compliance for complex projects: where large site-permits are needed, he instructed parties to submit a complete permit application within six months and keep it active, or the court may revisit and tighten the order. He also emphasized that appeals require a verbatim record and reminded respondents they may seek legal counsel.

The hearing adjourned at 12:25 p.m. County staff will follow up on abatement confirmations, and several cases are scheduled for further hearings or monitoring.