Clearwater code board approves $42,500 stipulated fine, sets correction deadlines across dozens of properties

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Municipal Code Enforcement Board on Jan. 28 approved a stipulated settlement that includes a $42,500 fine and issued dozens of orders requiring property owners to fix code violations ranging from deteriorated roofs to unpermitted construction.

City attorney Jared Simpson told the board staff and the respondent had agreed to a stipulated order in case 197-25 involving Moss and Associates, saying the company was “accepting responsibility for the situation” and recommending the board adopt the agreement. “The order would find that a violation did occur, and it imposes a fine in the amount of $42,500,” Simpson said. The board approved the stipulated order by voice vote.

The meeting concentrated on individual property cases. Inspectors presented photographic evidence and code citations for properties with exterior-surfaces, roof-maintenance, signage, permit and inoperative-vehicle violations. Inspector Vicki (city code compliance) described an immobile semi-trailer at 1535 Gulf of Bay Boulevard as “my case is for the storage container” and said she had never seen the trailer hooked to a cab. The property owner’s representative disputed that the trailer was used for storage and asked the board to re-notice under a nuisance/condition code; the board continued that matter to the Feb. 25 meeting for staff follow-up.

At 1411 Gulf To Bay Boulevard owner Gilbert Giannelli admitted the building needs work and described a plan to pursue a Community Redevelopment Agency grant and a full rehabilitation that could take months. Inspectors documented holes in the roof, missing soffit and peeling paint and asked for compliance by Feb. 27. After discussion about grant timing and permitting, the board entered an order requiring correction by March 25, 2026, and instructed staff that if inspectors document clear progress the city may pause filing an affidavit of noncompliance while permits are obtained.

In other actions the board:

- Found Cathy Barrow (1910 Union St.) in violation for five separate issues (exterior surfaces, roof maintenance, door and window openings, hazardous pool, exterior storage) and ordered correction by Feb. 28, 2026, with fines set at $150 per day per violation if not met.

- Accepted a declaration of prior violation but no fine for several cases where the violation had been corrected before the hearing (for example, a temporary sidewalk sign that was removed).

- Took up a large nuisance-abatement docket (inoperative vehicles, lot clearing and overgrowth) and issued multiple short compliance windows (commonly five days) or authorized the city to abate and impose liens if owners did not act.

Board members repeatedly emphasized that staff will monitor permits and inspections and that filings of affidavits of noncompliance will follow the inspector’s verification of nonprogress after the listed deadlines. Building official Kevin Garrett reminded the owner of 1411 Gulf To Bay that CRA grant eligibility often depends on bringing violations into compliance as part of grant-funded work.

The meeting also included the routine acceptance of several affidavits of noncompliance (which can lead to fines and liens if unpaid) and the board’s annual election of officers for 2026.

What happens next

Most compliance deadlines fall in late February or March 2026; the board instructed inspectors to return affidavits of noncompliance if the properties remain in violation after those deadlines. Several cases were continued for re-noticing or further investigation. The next board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2026.