Pensacola special magistrate sets Jan. 6 compliance deadlines, orders fines for multiple properties

Special Magistrate John Trawick presided over the City of Pensacola code enforcement hearing on Dec. 17, 2024, where officers presented evidence on multiple properties found in violation of local codes and the International Property Maintenance Code.

Kevin Smith, a City of Pensacola code enforcement officer, told the magistrate that the property at 4570 Christie Drive (case 24-4971) had been inspected and was now in compliance following the Dec. 3 hearing. "I inspected the property today, and the property is in compliance," Smith said. The magistrate noted the compliance and took no further enforcement action on that case.

Officer Ballot, identified in the hearing record as a City code enforcement officer, presented cases the city says remain out of compliance. For 731 Fairfax Drive (case 24-5395), Ballot and Smith reported the rear yard continued to show vegetation in excess of 12 inches after a compliance deadline of Dec. 16, 2024; the city requested that a $25-per-day fine commence on Dec. 17, 2024. The magistrate confirmed the fine start date.

For 1202 North Davis Highway (case 24-364), the officer presented a record of citizen complaints, photographs from July–October and multiple mailed and posted notices. The city asked the court to find the property in violation for accumulation of rubbish and nuisance, request $200 in court costs and set a $25-per-day fine to begin Jan. 7, 2025 if corrective actions are not completed by Jan. 6, 2025.

Similarly, in case 24-4519 at 1505 North Davis Highway (owner Crystal Montgomery), the record showed an inoperable vehicle was removed Oct. 9, 2024, but other rubbish and openly stored items persisted. The city requested the court assess $200 in court costs and a $25-per-day fine to start Jan. 7, 2025 if the property remains noncompliant after Jan. 6, 2025.

In case 24-3452 (3507 Parkwood Avenue, owner Donnie Barber), Kevin Smith described a dilapidated roof, rotting deck and untreated exterior wood at the rear of a townhouse-type structure. The city requested the property be found in violation of the cited International Property Maintenance Code sections, $200 in court costs, and a $25-per-day fine beginning Jan. 7, 2025 if compliance is not achieved by Jan. 6, 2025.

The magistrate confirmed the compliance and fine schedules repeatedly presented by officers, recorded the $200 court cost requests, and set the compliance deadlines and fine start dates where requested. There were no requests to increase fines or place liens at this hearing. The magistrate referenced statutory authority cited in the record and adjourned the hearing.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes from Dec. 3, 2024: approved by the magistrate. - Case 24-4971 (4570 Christie Drive): reported compliant — no enforcement action required. - Case 24-5395 (731 Fairfax Drive): $25/day fine ordered to commence Dec. 17, 2024, until compliance; compliance deadline had been Dec. 16, 2024. - Case 24-364 (1202 North Davis Highway): requested finding of violation; court costs $200; $25/day fine to begin Jan. 7, 2025 if not corrected by Jan. 6, 2025. - Case 24-4519 (1505 North Davis Highway): requested finding of violation; court costs $200; $25/day fine to begin Jan. 7, 2025 if not corrected by Jan. 6, 2025. - Case 24-3452 (3507 Parkwood Avenue): requested finding of violation for property-maintenance code violations; court costs $200; $25/day fine to begin Jan. 7, 2025 if not corrected by Jan. 6, 2025.

The hearing record cites Florida Statute 162 (enforcement of municipal codes) and Pensacola municipal code sections that officers referenced when seeking compliance and court costs. The magistrate adjourned the meeting with no unfinished business.