Deltona special magistrate upholds code and fire violations, sets compliance deadlines and daily fines

The City of Deltona Special Magistrate, John van Leiningen, confirmed violations and set compliance deadlines and daily fines across a slate of code‑compliance and fire‑safety cases at a hearing on April 22, 2026.

The hearing reviewed dozens of open matters, during which city code and fire inspectors presented photographs, permit searches and inspection records. The magistrate received the evidence and, where violations remained, entered findings that the properties continue to be noncompliant and ordered continuing fines to run until each property is verified as corrected.

Among the outcomes: the magistrate set a compliance deadline of May 22, 2026, for DL26022 (29016 Mill Road, Jason Holdings LLC) for a fence installed without a permit and ordered a $50‑per‑day fine to begin May 23 if the violation is not corrected. For DL26008 (128 Champlain Drive) the property had accrued $625 in fines at $25/day; the magistrate ordered that $25/day fine to continue until the code compliance officer verifies compliance. DL26011 (637 South Glancy Drive) remained noncompliant with $1,150 accrued at $50/day; the magistrate noted the respondent’s statement that a payment of $750 had been made and that a permit submittal was expected, but kept the fines in place and directed that any fine‑reduction request be brought after verified compliance.

Fire inspectors also reported outstanding violations. For FIRE‑004 (111 Howland Boulevard, Fair Winds Credit Union) the city reported $2,600 in accrued fines over 26 days and sought continuing fines; the magistrate found that the violations continued and ordered the daily fines to continue (the record reflects a cumulative total running at $100 per day as presented). TCB Deltona LLC (FIRE‑009) had accrued $5,200 over 26 days for multiple NFPA‑cited counts; the magistrate ordered the cumulative fines to continue at the rate presented by staff (noted in the record as $200 per day total). Several other fire cases (FIRE‑012, FIRE‑018, FIRE‑020) similarly remained open, with 30‑day compliance windows set for outstanding counts and continuing daily fines if corrections are not completed.

Attorney Matthew Leiter, appearing for Yma Investments (DL26014, 1556 East Normandie Boulevard), told the magistrate the owner had paid a pool remediation contractor but that an occupant was obstructing access. Leiter said his client had “paid, in full, to have that done” and asked for a stay of fines while the owner pursued access and related litigation. The city said it would consider a fine reduction after compliance is verified but opposed staying fines in advance; the magistrate kept the fines running and noted the files and the possibility of equitable relief after compliance.

At several cases the magistrate emphasized that evidence of permit submittals and inspections should be provided to the assigned officer and that owners may request a lien or fine reduction only after compliance is achieved and documented. The record consistently showed that city staff received and entered photographic exhibits and inspection reports into evidence before making findings.

Near the end of the hearing an attorney representing a previously withdrawn case (DL24002, 1627 Saxton Boulevard) asked to reopen the matter and further reduce fines that staff had reduced to $6,000. City staff said the case had been withdrawn to pursue an ordinance‑based resolution and that they would seek legal advice and could present the reduction at a future hearing; the magistrate agreed to continue the matter for proper presentation.

The hearing concluded after the magistrate confirmed draft orders and administrative next steps. For properties subject to continuing fines, the magistrate reiterated that fines stop accruing only after an inspecting officer verifies compliance and the magistrate enters any post‑compliance adjustments.

Details on each docketed case and the compliance dates, accrued fines and daily rates were entered into the hearing record and remain available through the city’s code compliance office.