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West Palm Beach magistrate orders permits, deadlines and fines across dozens of code cases
Summary
Special Magistrate Amity Barnard heard dozens of code-enforcement cases on Jan. 6, 2026, entering findings of violations and setting compliance deadlines or fines in a wide range of matters from unpermitted windows to business-license issues.
Amity Barnard, the special magistrate for the City of West Palm Beach, presided over a morning docket on Jan. 6 that resolved dozens of code‑enforcement matters, entering findings that respondents violated local and state building and land‑use rules and setting specific deadlines for compliance.
City building inspectors presented evidence and photographs in case after case. Raymond Stevenson testified that he observed windows and doors installed at 233 31st Court without the required permits; owner Dauta Polatani told the magistrate, “I didn't know that you needed a permit for that.” Barnard credited the inspector's testimony and entered a finding that the work violated sections 110.1 and 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, giving the respondent 60 days to secure permits or face a $50‑per‑day fine.
Other routine rulings included a 90‑day compliance window for a shipping container and roofing materials placed without permits at 2314 Dock Street and a 90‑day extension for a driveway‑paving/permit application at 4159 Heath Circle North after the respondent presented an application in review. Several historic‑property and stairway cases were similarly continued to allow plan review and permit issuance.
Magistrate Barnard also approved negotiated reductions of longstanding fines and liens in several enforcement files after the parties reached mutual agreements on reduced amounts and payment schedules. For multiple lien cases the magistrate signed orders reducing large accrued fines to negotiated sums payable within 30–90 days.
City staff repeatedly urged respondents to stay in contact with plan reviewers and inspectors. Barnard emphasized that the deadlines are intended to allow permit processing and to avoid repeat hearings: “60 days is more than enough time,” she said during multiple rulings, while advising respondents to be diligent in following up with the city's permit system.
The magistrate entered the city's composite evidentiary files into the record in each matter and closed the morning docket at 12:45 p.m.
