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Fort Myers Code Enforcement Board finds multiple properties in violation, sets abatement deadlines and fines
Summary
At its April 9, 2026 meeting the Fort Myers Code Enforcement Board found a series of property owners in violation, set abatement deadlines and daily fines (many unanimously), approved an order of lien and granted several mitigation reductions.
The Code Enforcement Board of the City of Fort Myers on April 9, 2026, found numerous property owners in violation of the city’s codes and set abatement deadlines and fines, in many cases by unanimous vote. Chairman Donald Overholser presided over the meeting at City Hall.
Building officials presented cases spanning commercial and residential addresses; many defendants did not appear. For cases with no representative the board routinely found violations and ordered abatement by specified dates or imposed daily fines beginning the next day, with caps varying by case. For example, the board ordered the defendant at 5215 Cedarbend Dr. to abate violations by May 11, 2026, or face a $200-per-day fine beginning May 12 capped at $20,000. The board also designated Royal Palms Square LLC (1400 Colonial Blvd.) a repeat offender and ordered abatement by May 11, 2026, or a $500-per-day fine beginning May 12 with no cap; the board noted that party is not eligible for hard costs without Board approval.
Several other outcomes the board adopted include abatement orders with $200–$250 daily fines, caps ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 in many cases, and staggered compliance deadlines through July and October 2026. In one case (2228 Cranford Ave.) the board ordered the City to abate if compliance is not met by the October 5, 2026 deadline and set a $250-per-day fine thereafter with no cap.
The board approved Order of Lien Number 2026-0409 by unanimous vote.
The board granted mitigation on several longstanding liens: it reduced a $9,250 lien for Christopher Thompson (2729 Broadway) to $807.82 if paid by June 11, 2026; it mitigated a $24,000 lien to $1,113.38 for Tarshea R. Gaither if paid by June 11, 2026 (passed by majority); and it cleared a $10,000 lien for Patricia Ann Bronson to $0 (passed by majority).
Most motions were moved and seconded by board members and recorded as carried; the transcript records motions as unanimously carried in many cases and as passed by majority in mitigation votes. Where representatives appeared they were noted on the record (for example, Mr. Pantel represented Infinite 2717 LLC; Attorney Williams and others represented 3000 Oasis Grand Blvd.). A small number of transcript entries contain variant spellings for a representative’s name (Pantel/Pantal), which is noted in the meeting record.
The board set subsequent compliance hearings on dates in May, June, July and October 2026 to determine compliance with abatement orders. The meeting adjourned at 3:19 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - COD-031407-2024 (5215 Cedarbend Dr.): violation found; abate by May 11, 2026, or $200/day beginning May 12, cap $20,000; subsequent hearing May 14, 2026. - COD-047309-2025 (Royal Palms Square LLC, 1400 Colonial Blvd.) — repeat offender: abate by May 11, 2026, or $500/day beginning May 12, no cap; subsequent hearing May 14, 2026. - COD-041960-2025 and others (Infinite 2717 LLC; CH Realty IX; Page Plaza Acquisition LP; Fort Myers Christian Center; etc.): violations found with abatement deadlines from May to July 2026 and fines $200–$250/day with varying caps; subsequent hearings scheduled as listed on record. - Order of Lien 2026-0409: approved.
What’s next: The board’s compliance hearings are scheduled on multiple dates (May–October 2026) to determine whether cited property owners have abated violations; liens and fines will follow per the board’s orders.
