Magistrate orders repairs, sets deadlines for four Titusville properties after code enforcement hearing

Magistrate Don, a Florida Bar–licensed attorney appointed by the City of Titusville, on Feb. 9, 2026 found multiple properties in violation of city codes and ordered corrective work, administrative cost recovery and compliance deadlines, with fines to begin if owners do not act.

The hearing covered four cases: a deteriorated residence at 554 Lenore Avenue; unsanitary conditions and animal‑related issues at 1780 Gulf View Drive; an unauthorized shipping container at 3446 Trevino Circle; and playground equipment placed in stormwater retention areas at 1355 Cheney Highway, the site of Indian River Methodist Church.

Why it matters: city staff cited public‑health and stormwater‑system risks, and the magistrate’s orders include deadlines and per‑day fines that can accrue quickly if not corrected. Property owners must notify code enforcement when they complete required work so officers can verify compliance.

The Lenore Avenue case: City staff said the property remains in violation of exterior maintenance and roof/drainage code sections and that a repair permit issued earlier had not resulted in any work. Magistrate Don found notice requirements met and ordered compliance; he said fines of $100 per day per violation will commence on Feb. 7, 2026 if the owner does not correct the violations and a certified copy of the order may be recorded as a lien.

Gulf View Drive case: Inspectors presented photos showing interior and exterior unsanitary conditions and numerous cats. The city assessed administrative costs of $206.72 and ordered removal of debris, cutting and maintenance of vegetation, cleaning of interior surfaces and repair of walls. The respondent must correct violations by March 6, 2026; the magistrate warned fines of $100 per day per violation will begin if the property remains noncompliant.

Trevino Circle shipping container: Elizabeth Parker, who identified herself as a beneficiary of the Solomon family trust and said she has a disabled adult daughter, told the magistrate she had rented a shipping container to store household items during stalled contractor work and hurricane recovery and that "at this point in time, the shipping container is empty." Parker said physical limitations made removal challenging and asked for leniency. Magistrate Don noted the city had incurred administrative costs that could not be waived but agreed to a 30‑day period before fines would be imposed; the formal order gives the owner until March 6, 2026 to remove the container, assesses $171.50 in administrative costs (to be paid within 120 days) and provides for a $50‑per‑day fine if the violation continues.

Indian River Methodist Church / Cheney Highway: City staff told the magistrate that playground equipment was installed in stormwater retention ponds and that permitting records do not show approval for the equipment at those locations. Staff cited potential risks including contamination, reduced retention capacity and interference with drainage structures. Pastor Stewart Bodine and church administrator Kelly mcluster said the playgrounds have been on site for decades, serve more than 500 families and are supervised; they said the church is working on plans and asked for additional time. The magistrate and city staff agreed on a compromise: the church must submit a full application to remove playground equipment from the retention areas or otherwise resolve permitting within six months, with a deadline of Aug. 6, 2026, and fines of $100 per day will begin if the submission and corrective work are not undertaken as ordered. Administrative costs of $136.28 were also assessed.

What the orders require: Each order requires the property owner or respondent to notify the code enforcement officer when corrections are complete so the city can confirm compliance. Where the magistrate set a period for submission rather than immediate removal, the order makes clear that failure to meet the deadline will trigger per‑day fines.

Responses and context: Church representatives said plans to relocate playgrounds are part of a larger site redevelopment that could take years; city staff emphasized stormwater system integrity and public safety. Elizabeth Parker described hardship and medical limitations that complicated removal of the container; the magistrate provided short‑term relief while preserving the city’s right to recover administrative costs.

Next steps: Owners and respondents must either complete ordered repairs or submit required applications by the dates in each order and notify code enforcement for reinspection. A certified order may be recorded in the public records of Brevard County if costs go unpaid.

The hearing concluded with no additional manager’s report and adjournment at 1:56 p.m.