Sarasota magistrate imposes fines, accepts corrections and continues numerous code‑compliance cases

The City of Sarasota’s special magistrate hearing on April 30 resulted in several fines, multiple continuances and a number of reductions where owners brought properties into compliance.

Magistrate Richard Ellis opened the session and handled a long docket of matters that ranged from dock disrepair and unpermitted building work to vacation‑rental violations and longstanding nuisance complaints. In a case involving Ringling Professional Center Association (case 202042) the magistrate accepted the city’s recommendation after the property passed a final inspection on April 9 and imposed a $1,000 civil fine plus $6.90 in costs. "I'll impose 1000 dollar fine, cost of $6.90," the magistrate said when announcing the order.

Other decisions included smaller assessed fines or costs where the inspector confirmed corrections. For one vacation‑rental matter the city asked for a single‑day fine of $100 and costs, which the magistrate accepted after staff confirmed compliance. In contrast, several properties with unresolved building or zoning issues were continued for status checks so inspectors could verify permit activity and work progress.

Several respondents reported active steps to remedy violations. Abid Sawadee said a demo permit was expected to be issued and that repairs could be completed within two weeks after permit issuance, prompting the magistrate to continue that case to May 14 for a status update. In another case involving post‑hurricane kitchen work, a respondent said a permit had been filed and inspections were pending; the magistrate continued that matter to June 25 to give the contractor time to complete remaining items.

A notable neighborhood exchange took place during Andrew Breedlove’s hearing over an RV parked in a front‑yard setback. Breedlove described limited options to store the unit and urged the city to address an adjacent derelict property that he said had rodents and persistent trash. "Every day and every night, I have to see this… There’s live rats there," Breedlove said, asking what enforcement steps neighbors could take. City staff advised filing complaints so inspectors could investigate and explained how corner‑lot setback rules limit fencing and storage options.

The magistrate repeatedly reduced or vacated larger potential fines where inspectors documented that violations had been corrected. For example, in a case with an initially large affidavit amount, the magistrate reduced the assessed penalty to $5,000 plus $16.65 in costs after inspections showed compliance and the city recommended a reduced amount.

What happens next: most continued matters were set for routine status hearings on the June 11 docket to verify permit issuance, inspection outcomes and remaining corrective work. Cases where the city recorded final inspections and corrections were closed with assessed costs or nominal fines as ordered by the magistrate.

Votes at a glance

- Ringling Professional Center (case 202042): Final inspection 04/09/2026; $1,000 civil fine and $6.90 costs imposed by the magistrate. - Francesco Marceli (case 202600112): Compliance found; magistrate imposed $100 civil fine and $465 in costs as requested by the city. - Richard Serone (case 202600261): Compliance found; magistrate imposed $1,000 civil fine and $3.90 in costs. - Charles Duodne (cases 202600306 / 202600307): Magistrate found multiple continuing violations and imposed a civil fine of $12,100 with daily rolling fines until corrected; costs of $3.90 assessed. - William Hunter Barton et al. (case 202300521): After compliance, the magistrate reduced a previously assessed legal exposure and imposed a $5,000 fine and $16.65 in costs, vacating the prior larger order.

Context: The magistrate’s role is to adjudicate city code violations and assess civil fines and costs when properties remain out of compliance. Many cases heard on April 30 were continued to allow owners or contractors to obtain permits, call inspections and correct cited conditions. Where inspectors documented corrections, the magistrate generally reduced fines or assessed only nominal costs. Where no progress was shown, daily rolling fines remained in effect until the violations are corrected.

Quotes in context

- Magistrate Richard Ellis, announcing an order: "I'll impose 1000 dollar fine, cost of $6.90." (ringling case) - Resident Andrew Breedlove, on neighborhood nuisance across the street: "Every day and every night, I have to see this… There’s live rats there." (Breedlove case)

The hearing is scheduled to reconvene for many continued matters during the court’s regular Thursday docket; most status checks were placed on the June 11 calendar to track permit issuance and inspection results.