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Punta Gorda code board issues multiple cease-and-desist orders, fines and compliance deadlines
Summary
At its March 18 meeting, the Punta Gorda Code Enforcement Board issued cease-and-desist orders and fines across several cases, including unpermitted boat-lift and dredging work at 435 La Silla Court and repeated storage and maintenance violations at other properties. The board set 30-day compliance deadlines and noted penalties up to $250 per day for future noncompliance.
The Punta Gorda Code Enforcement Board on March 18 moved on multiple property cases, issuing cease-and-desist orders, assessing case costs and imposing penalty schedules where required.
In case 2689350, staff reported unpermitted dredging and installation of a boat lift at 435 La Silla Court. Code officer Shannon Coons presented photos and a stop-work notice; city engineering and public-works staff said the permit application was rejected and that the work as presented would not be authorized. The board found a prima facie case, issued a cease-and-desist order, required the boat lift and related work be detached or removed as needed, ordered corrective action within 30 days and assessed case costs of $66.07. The board noted the seawall is city property and emphasized the potential for structural harm when attachments and unpermitted dredging occur.
The board heard case 2589179 concerning an unpermitted shed at 503 McGregor Street; staff reported the owner obtained an approved permit and the property is in compliance. The board nonetheless issued a cease-and-desist order for future violations and assessed $39.43 in case costs.
Other matters included repeated violations for stored trailers and property maintenance. In one case involving recurring trailers at 418 E. Ann St., staff said the board had handled prior cases at the same address; the board issued a cease-and-desist order that remains in effect for five years and ordered case costs ($17.08) where appropriate. At penalty hearings for properties previously ordered to repair windows and roofs, the board found noncompliance over a 28-day period and imposed fines representing $10 per day for that period (example: $280) plus case costs; fines continue to accrue until compliance is achieved.
Board members and staff clarified enforcement mechanics: cease-and-desist orders signal that repeat violations can be returned to the board without the standard preliminary notices, and fines may escalate for continued noncompliance. Public-works and engineering staff said they will work with owners on what permitted work, if any, could be authorized and stressed that attachments to seawalls risk structural damage.
All motions described above carried unanimously. The board asked staff to monitor compliance and indicated inspections typically occur within roughly six months unless a public-safety hazard requires faster follow-up.
The board then turned to staff comments and broader discussions about how the city notifies residents of ordinance or schedule changes, recommending staff explore additional or clearer notice avenues for residents who do not use social media or regularly read local media.
