Sunset Beach council orders repairs at 429 Fourth Street, citing long-running code violations

The Town of Sunset Beach council voted on May 14 to enter an ordinance directing the housing inspector/code administrator to repair the property at 429 Fourth Street, declaring the dwelling unfit for human habitation under the town's minimum housing ordinance.

Town legal staff described three options: (1) pass the ordinance authorizing the town to perform or contract repairs and levy fees and liens against the property; (2) table the decision to give the owner time to complete repairs; or (3) reject the ordinance and pursue nuisance-abatement or demolition proceedings. Staff noted a prior order dated Dec. 18, 2024, gave owners until May 5 to complete repairs and that order was final and binding.

Property owner David Grimes spoke from the podium and identified himself as the owner of 429 Fourth Street. Grimes said he has a contractor team in place, has replaced the roof, gutted and is rehabilitating the interior, and estimated he has spent "probably got 20,30,000 already to try to fix it up." He said a stop'work order placed April 9 prevented work for about four weeks and asked the council for 30 to 60 days to finish.

Council members expressed frustration with missed deadlines and with neighbors who have lodged repeated complaints. "He's had more than enough time to take care of that house and he just hasn't done it," one council member said, arguing the town should proceed with enforcement. Another member said the town should consider a short, bounded extension but that they did not want the town to become the owner of the house.

A motion was made and seconded to enter the ordinance directing the housing inspector to repair the property and to implement the remedies described in the draft ordinance packet, including a vacate order (the ordinance as presented included a vacate date of May 31, 2025, in the draft language shown to the council). The motion was carried by the council; the transcript does not include a roll-call tally in named votes.

The ordinance as described by staff authorizes the town to effectuate repairs and to levy fees, which may result in a lien being filed against the property to recoup costs. Staff also said the town would not permit building permits to be issued for the property while the enforcement action is in effect unless council chooses to table or reject the ordinance.

Next steps: The ordinance will be entered into the record and staff will proceed under its terms to effectuate repairs or otherwise enforce remedies; the town will pursue collection of costs by levying fees and filing liens as allowed under the ordinance.