Pensacola magistrate orders $25-per-day fines and $200 court costs in three property cases

Special Magistrate Matthew Hargraves of the City of Pensacola Code Enforcement Authority on Dec. 16, 2025, found three properties in violation of city and state property-maintenance requirements and ordered daily fines and court costs if the owners do not achieve compliance.

Kevin Smith, code enforcement officer for the City of Pensacola, testified in each matter, presenting inspection photos, service affidavits and notice records. For the case at 688 Brent Lane (CE255018), Smith said he inspected the property the morning of Dec. 16 and found "the property is still overgrown, still loose litter and trash scattered throughout the property." Hargraves agreed the property remained out of compliance with the prior Dec. 2 order and directed that the previously ordered fine of $25 per day commence on Dec. 16, 2025 and continue until the property is brought into compliance.

In case CE255009 (address in the transcript appears as 1820 Copley Drive and also as "Copeland Drive"), Smith said his Oct. 3 inspection found an untagged gray pickup and miscellaneous items stored openly; subsequent inspections showed all issues corrected except the inoperable vehicle. Smith told the hearing that the city set a compliance deadline of Jan. 5, 2026 and requested that a $25-per-day fine begin on Jan. 6, 2026 if the vehicle remains. Hargraves found the property in violation of International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) 302.8 for an inoperable vehicle and ordered that court costs of $200 be paid to the city within 30 days and that daily fines of $25 commence on Jan. 6, 2026 if compliance is not achieved by Jan. 5, 2026.

For case CE252995 at 3977 Hidden Oak Drive, Smith described a May 30 inspection that documented "peeling paint and rotting wood" on exterior walls and noted vegetation in excess of 12 inches. He reported the property grounds had been maintained but exterior repairs had not been completed. The city requested findings that the property violated IPMC sections 304.2 and 304.6, a compliance deadline of Jan. 5, 2026, $25-per-day fines beginning Jan. 6, 2026 if unresolved, and $200 in court costs. Hargraves found notice was properly provided, ruled the property not in compliance with the cited IPMC sections, awarded $200 in court costs to the city payable within 30 days, and ordered $25-per-day fines to begin on Jan. 6, 2026 if the property is not brought into compliance by Jan. 5, 2026.

All three rulings were entered by the magistrate from the bench; no motions, seconds, or recorded roll-call votes were required for these bench findings. The hearing concluded after the magistrate asked whether there were any requests to increase fines or liens and whether there was unfinished or new business; none were reported. The magistrate closed the meeting with holiday remarks and adjourned.

What to watch next: for each case the magistrate set a compliance deadline of Jan. 5, 2026. If owners do not bring the properties into compliance by that date, daily fines of $25 will be assessed beginning Jan. 6, 2026 until the violations are corrected. Court costs of $200 were ordered in the two cases where the magistrate explicitly awarded costs and in one case the award was recorded as entered; owners should consult the written orders for exact payment instructions.