Martin County magistrate orders multiple property cleanups, sets April 30 deadlines and assesses costs

The Martin County Code Enforcement Magistrate convened on March 18, 2026 and reviewed a docket of property enforcement matters, issuing orders that require several owners to clear nuisance conditions and reimburse county investigation costs.

County investigators presented photographic evidence and notices of violation in a series of cases involving trash and debris, high grass, inoperable trailers/boats and deteriorated structures. In each enforcement case the county requested (and the magistrate largely granted) orders requiring property owners to come into compliance by April 30, 2026, with daily fines of $100 per violation to begin accruing after that date and administrative investigation costs of $575 charged to the respondent.

In the case against Michael A. Valente (ENF20206010372) regarding 8868 Southeast Hobbridge Avenue in Hobe Sound, nuisance abatement coordinator Rachel Sprdley presented photographs and a notice of violation documenting trash and cooking appliances in the front yard on inspections from January and March 2026. Valente told the magistrate he and his disabled brother had struggled to keep the property cleared, said several items in the early photographs had been removed by Feb. 17, and submitted his own recent photos showing cleanup. The magistrate…