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Palatka magistrate orders repairs at 1317 Washington St., sets April 20 compliance deadline and $25/day fines
Summary
The special magistrate found five code violations at 1317 Washington Street (porch wood, lattice, windows, roof), ordered the owner to comply by April 20, 2026, and set fines of $25 per day per violation to begin April 21 if the issues are not fixed.
The City of Palatka’s special magistrate on March 17 entered an order finding five code violations at 1317 Washington Street and set a compliance deadline of April 20, 2026; the magistrate directed that fines of $25 per day per violation will begin April 21 if the owner does not bring the property into compliance.
Melissa Dryer of Palatka code compliance presented photographic evidence labeled A1 through A8, describing rotten or weakened porch wood, mismatched or patched siding, several broken or missing window panes (including a completely missing window and boarded openings), damaged lattice that needs repair or replacement, and a metal roof section that has lifted from the framing. Dryer said she mailed certified notices to the addresses on file and posted the property; she produced one signed return receipt for an alternate address but no direct contact from the named owners, Sandy Murray or Michael A. Edwards, at the subject property.
The magistrate discussed ordinance timing that allows replacement with improved material after a 60‑day period and confirmed the city’s notice documents are in the record. Brown described the violations item by item and said the city had provided the required notice and posting. He ordered that the owners must correct the enumerated defects by the end of business on April 20, 2026, ‘‘or a fine of $25 per day per violation shall commence on April 21, 2026,’’ as stated in the order.
The order lists five violations tied to City Code sections 30‑169 (building fronts and decorative elements), 30‑171 (windows), and 30‑32A(10/11) (roof and disrepair). The magistrate also directed the record be amended to reflect the affidavit of posting and confirmed the appeal route is to circuit court.
No representative for Sandy Murray or Michael A. Edwards appeared to contest the case. The magistrate moved on after placing the compliance requirements and penalty schedule on the record.
