Special Magistrate Erica Augello presided over a St. Pete Beach code‑enforcement hearing in January 2026 that produced continuances, permit deadlines, a large fine for a repeat short‑term rental violation and several reduced or nominal penalties for property owners.

The most significant financial penalty was imposed on Affordable Properties Realty and Management Inc., trustee for the 6795 Gulf Winds Drive Land Trust. City code officer Lucy Knight presented Airbnb listings and 19 guest reviews the city says showed 19 short‑term stays exceeding St. Pete Beach’s limit of three short‑term rentals within a 12‑month period. No representative appeared for the property; Augello found the violations “irreversible and irreparable” and assessed $1,000 per violation, totaling $19,000, plus $330 in administrative costs and any recording fees required to affect a lien.

Augello also addressed multiple short‑term rental cases where evidence of extra stays was presented from online booking platforms. For 107 4th Ave (Brandon and Courtney Doyle), staff reported four extra short‑term stays. The magistrate reduced the city’s requested penalty from $1,000 per violation to $500 per violation—totaling $4,000—citing the respondent’s cooperation and outreach and ordered the property not be rented until June 2026 and proof of no rentals within 10 days of the order.

At 2740 East Vena Del Mar Blvd (Padpro LLC), counsel Andrew Hoek said the owner had been unaware of the 30‑day minimum and had instructed management to cease short‑term bookings. Augello excluded reviews posted after the city’s December notice from the case, found four violations and assessed $500 per violation (total $2,000) plus $330 administrative costs.

The magistrate varied penalties in hardship or mitigation cases. Martin Mara, who told the hearing he had lost his job and faced possible foreclosure, was found in violation for nine short‑term stays; Augello assessed a nominal $25 per stay plus $330 in administrative costs, saying the city’s purpose was compliance rather than punishment. For other properties where permits were reopened or work was permitted and underway, Augello generally found compliance and limited outcomes to administrative costs (commonly $330) rather than daily fines.

Several permit and status matters were continued to give owners or the city time to finish paperwork or review motions. Attorney Leroux asked to continue the Dolphin Watch 3, LLC case to March 9, 2026 to allow review of a lengthy motion to dismiss; the city did not object. Christopher Padgett was granted a 15‑day extension for an after‑the‑fact fence permit following testimony from Building Official Luke Curtis that such reviews typically take 15–30 days. Cases involving variance requests—most notably a Broderick property with an unpermitted structure—were scheduled for status review on February 9, 2026 so the variance process could be considered before fines or demolition orders were imposed.

A lien‑reduction decision involved Brightwater Beach Condo Association, which sought a 10% reduction on fines the city calculated at roughly $22,750. After reviewing compliance dates and backup, the magistrate granted a 20% reduction (reducing the amount to $4,550) plus $330 in administrative costs, payable within 30 days or the full amount would be reinstated.

Magistrate Augello repeatedly emphasized procedural points: notices were mailed by certified mail to addresses on the property appraiser’s or tax collector’s records; ignorance of the law or unreturned city emails does not excuse violations; and staff should provide orders and contact information to respondents. Owners who demonstrated prompt corrective action or credible hardship frequently received reduced penalties or administrative‑only outcomes.

What’s next: multiple matters were continued to February 9, 2026 or March 9, 2026 for status checks or to allow the city to review motions and permit applications. The magistrate adjourned the hearing at 11:26 a.m.

Quoted from the hearing: Special Magistrate Erica Augello opened the session by saying she “will issue an order” after hearing all relevant evidence and later stated in several rulings that the city’s purpose “is to gain compliance, not to be punitive.” City code enforcement manager Pete Doer and city representative Steven Rivera presented the city’s evidence in numerous cases; several property owners and their attorneys spoke in mitigation or to request continuances.