The Town of Lake Clarke Shores Code Enforcement Board on Oct. 23 heard testimony and issued compliance orders in three separate cases involving building permits and an animal enclosure.

The board found Case 24-0346 in violation of Town Code Section 10-91(a) for a backyard shed installed without a permit and ordered the owner to remove the structure or obtain required permits by Dec. 4, 2024, warning of fines up to $100 per day for failure to comply. Code enforcement officer Eric (code enforcement officer) told the board the notice of violation was issued Sept. 10 and the violation remained. The property owner objected to third‑party photos used in the citation and said the inspector had "walked within my property line" without his presence; he asked the board not to rely on those photos.

The board and staff discussed property lines and utility easements; zoning officer Manny Palacio said he had inspected the area at the neighbor's invitation and did not cross the fenced property line. Board members recorded an agreement on the record that staff would seek the owner’s permission before entering the owner’s fenced area in the future. The motion to find a violation and set the Dec. 4 compliance deadline carried.

In Case 24-0345, the board considered an animal enclosure installed without permits at 6400 Karen Bulla Circle. Owner John Hyatt, who described operating a cat rescue and performing trap‑neuter‑vaccinate‑return work, told the board he built the enclosure after animals in the area were harmed and is seeking an engineer’s letter and approvals from the South Florida Water Management District to move forward with permitting. "I just need the permit," Hyatt said, describing efforts to secure engineering documentation.

Several neighbors, including Kelly Sheehan and Haley Rodriguez, testified that odors and a high number of litter boxes on the property had created a health and nuisance concern. "The smell is so bad," one neighbor said, adding that she could smell odors while mowing and that the issue affected her ability to use her patio. Building staff and health inspectors reported prior visits; staff said county or state agencies would handle health‑department or animal‑control matters if further complaints arise.

After deliberation, the board found Case 24-0345 in violation of Section 10-91(a) and ordered compliance on or before Jan. 21, 2025, warning fines not to exceed $200 per day for failure to comply. Board members asked the owner to check in with staff monthly about permit progress.

Staff also presented Case 24-0343 against Nueva Marm LLC for window and structural work performed without permits at 7512 Edgewater Circle. Staff said the owner applied for permits on Oct. 17 but had not paid the "4x" penalty fee (listed as $791.28 to be multiplied by four). The board found the property in violation, ordered compliance by Oct. 30, 2024, and warned fines up to $250 per day if the owner failed to come into compliance; a final assessment hearing was set for Dec. 4, 2024, if necessary.

Votes at a glance: the board voted to find violations and set compliance deadlines for Case 24-0346 (shed) — compliance by Dec. 4, 2024, fines up to $100/day; Case 24-0345 (animal enclosure) — compliance by Jan. 21, 2025, fines up to $200/day; Case 24-0343 (unpermitted windows/structural work) — compliance by Oct. 30, 2024, fines up to $250/day and a Dec. 4 final assessment hearing if needed.

What this means: board members said they will monitor permit progress and rely on engineering documentation to determine whether the structures can be permitted; the town will refer health and animal‑control matters to county or state authorities when outside the town’s code scope.

The board asked owners to coordinate with Eric (code enforcement officer) and Melissa in the building department and adjourned with instructions for staff follow‑up. The board took no legislative action beyond the compliance orders and scheduled follow‑up assessment hearings as noted above.