Northport hearing upholds two parking tickets, fines unpermitted clear‑cut and sets deadlines for multiple code violations

The City of Northport’s code enforcement hearing on May 18, 2026, denied two parking‑ticket appeals, assessed a $15,000 fine for an unauthorized land clear, and imposed compliance deadlines or fines on several other properties.

Deputy City Attorney Michael Golan presented the city’s cases on two parking citations and called police witnesses to testify. Officer Curran testified that a vehicle at 1726 Scarlet Avenue was "on or across the sidewalk," and Officer Kerr testified that a vehicle at 2134 Boxwood Street blocked a narrow, 3‑foot sidewalk. In both matters the hearing officer found the city’s prima facie cases sufficient and denied the appeals. The officer wrote in one case that the encroachment was to a "degree that it would impede the ADA compliance." The chair said both tickets were properly issued and denied the appeals.

The hearing assessed the largest financial penalty in the room against Sunny Group LLC in case CE‑2600193. Tony Brehon, a city code enforcement inspector, and Ryan Peeper, the city arborist, testified that an approximately 11,000‑square‑foot residential lot was completely cleared of trees without a required permit. Peeper said the work "appears to be a complete land clear" and explained that an underbrush permit would not authorize tree removal. The chair found a violation of the city’s tree/underbrush provisions and said "the standard fine of $15,000 will apply" because the number of trees removed was undetermined.

In a separate property case addressing exterior structural problems at 1076 Sabia Street, inspector Josh Preston testified that gutters had fallen and roof fascia had deteriorated. Property owner Robert Fulton said he is not currently living in the house and needed time to decide whether to repair or demolish. The chair found a violation of the International Property Maintenance Code provision cited by the city (IPMC §304.1) and granted time to comply, but set a compliance deadline of June 12, 2026. The chair warned that a fine of "$250 a day with no max" will begin on June 13, 2026 if the property is not brought into compliance.

The hearing covered a long slate of other cases. Several properties were found in violation for accumulation of debris, excessive grass and weeds, unpermitted driveway or right‑of‑way use, and prohibited parking or unregistered vehicles. Repeatedly, inspectors said photos presented were "true and accurate depictions" of conditions on the dates cited. For many of those matters the chair set fines to commence May 19, 2026 if properties were not brought into compliance by May 18, 2026; in other cases the chair continued matters to allow owners time to obtain permits or assistance (for example, one owner awaiting United Way or FEMA support received a continuance).

At the end of the hearing, several owners were instructed to stay in contact with code staff, provide documentation or permits, and return to the next hearing if compliance was not achieved. The chair adjourned the hearing at 10:29 a.m.

What happens next: the city will assess and track fines where compliance deadlines are not met; owners with denied appeals were told they may seek judicial review in the circuit court if they wish to challenge the administrative decision.

Quotes from the hearing include: "It shows a vehicle obstructing the sidewalk" (Officer Curran); "This appears to be a complete land clear" (Ryan Peeper, city arborist); and "the standard fine of $15,000 will apply" (the hearing officer).