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Special magistrate gives owner 45 days to obtain permit for Fort Walton Beach greenhouse, imposes $325 fee
Summary
A Fort Walton Beach special magistrate accepted city findings that an unpermitted greenhouse was built at 211 Florida Place SE and ordered the owner to obtain required permits within 45 days, imposing a $325 administrative fee; photos and service records were entered into evidence.
Special Magistrate Emily Rogers on Tuesday accepted the city’s findings that a greenhouse structure was installed at 211 Florida Place SE in Fort Walton Beach without the required permit and issued an order giving the owner 45 days to come into compliance and assessing a $325 administrative fee.
The city’s code-enforcement officer, Rich Taylor, told the hearing the property — listed in tax records to Development Group LC Downtown — was first found in violation on Feb. 3, 2025, and reinspection and photographic evidence taken July 15, 2025 and Feb. 12, 2026 showed the structure remained in place. Staff entered exhibits including the case history, notice of violation and photographs and recommended findings of fact, conclusions of law and issuance of an order, modifying a previously requested seven-day compliance window to 45 days because the packet needed by the contractor to apply for a permit was completed only that week.
"Staff is requesting acceptance of findings of fact, conclusions of law and issuance of an order including the $325 administrative fee," Taylor said. Rogers said she reviewed the submitted findings and accepted the facts and conclusions and signed the order changing the compliance deadline to April 2, 2026.
The order requires the property owner to apply for the appropriate permit and come into compliance by the deadline. City staff told the magistrate they had re-sent a proposed order by email at the hearing after a technology issue; Rogers confirmed she reviewed the submitted order before issuing it. The hearing record includes the notice of violation, proof of service and photos that staff entered as exhibits.
If the owner does not obtain the permit and correct the violation by the deadline, the order allows the city to pursue whatever enforcement is authorized by the ordinance and statute, including further administrative fines or corrective action, according to city staff. The magistrate’s order is the current enforceable administrative decision from the hearing.
