Port St. Lucie magistrate sets mid-February cleanup deadlines, authorizes city abatement if properties remain in violation

Special Magistrate Kelly Rodriguez on the morning of the hearing ordered owners of two Port St. Lucie properties to remedy cited code violations by mid-February 2026 or face city abatement and potential fines.

The magistrate found violations at 250 Southwest Pagoda Terrace and 1111 Southwest Midland Lane after code officers presented inspection photos and violation notices. For the occupied property at 250 Southwest Pagoda Terrace, the city listed violations including high grass and weeds, accumulation of refuse, exterior-structure disrepair and unmaintained accessory structures. Code Officer Pico said a notice of violation was issued on 08/07/2025, the respondent was given until 08/17/2025 to comply, and a hearing notice was furnished on 01/15/2026 with posting of the property on 01/20/2026. Based on testimony, the magistrate found proper notice and that the violations exist, but extended the compliance deadline to 02/19/2026 to allow the respondent time to complete repairs and cleanup. The magistrate warned that, “If you don't achieve compliance, it's everything we discussed” — including city entry to cut and maintain vegetation, remove overgrowth and open storage, and removal of the front fence, with costs charged to the respondent and fines to be set at a later hearing.

Respondent Michael Nelson, sworn before the hearing, told the magistrate he had been working out of town and that storm debris and invasive Brazilian pepper trees had contributed to the property's condition. Nelson said he had arranged for a land-clearing company and planned to remove the storm boards on windows, repair fence panels and replace damaged shingles; he told the court, “I want my backyard back.” He asked for a short extension because contractors were not available immediately; the magistrate set Feb. 19 as the new compliance date and instructed Nelson to communicate any delays to the assigned code officer.

At 1111 Southwest Midland Lane, Code Officer Cap reported a longer list of violations at what appeared to be a vacant, unsecured house: prohibited recreational-vehicle parking off the paved surface, damaged swale and failed culvert flagged by public works, open storage including propane tanks and tires, multiple damaged doors and missing or broken windows, and high grass. Officer Cap said a notice of violation was issued on 01/12/2026 with a compliance period that ended 01/22/2026 and that the property had been posted on 01/20/2026. The officer also reported that neighbors told staff the respondent was not at the property and might be “on the run” (a report attributed to neighbors). The magistrate found notice and violations established, set a compliance check for 02/11/2026, and authorized the city to abate the violations and later assess costs and fines if the owner did not correct the conditions.

Staff reviewed notification procedures on the record, noting that notices were sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) to addresses from the tax collector or property appraiser records and that postings were placed on the property and on the Neighborhood Services bulletin board. No members of the public came forward during the public-comment period. The hearing concluded and was adjourned at 09:26AM.

Next steps: the city will monitor compliance on the dates the magistrate set (02/11/2026 for 1111 Southwest Midland Lane and 02/19/2026 for 250 Southwest Pagoda Terrace); if violations remain, city crews may abate the nuisances and the magistrate indicated fines and cost assessments will be considered at a subsequent proceeding.