Alachua County special magistrate hears code-enforcement cases; deadlines, fines and liens ordered

The Alachua County Code Enforcement Special Magistrate convened a February 2026 hearing to consider a slate of alleged violations ranging from unpermitted tree clearing to hazardous electrical conditions. The magistrate set compliance deadlines, approved liens and fines in several matters, and directed staff to perform follow-up inspections in others.

Andrew Coniglio, identified as the county senior forester, told the magistrate that parcel 10866-100-011 had been cleared on Dec. 9, 2025, without a required tree removal permit. Coniglio recommended $140 in prosecution costs and asked for 15 days to come into compliance or a $50-per-day fine if the owner failed to comply. The magistrate received the report and moved on to other cases; a final written determination will follow.

Code officer Michael Williams presented multiple nuisance and accumulation-of-junk cases. For a vacant lot on Northeast 70th Street linked to case 25-011868, Williams said the county would give 15 days for compliance and seek $100 per day thereafter and $280 in prosecution costs if the owner does not comply. In other matters the magistrate granted county requests to place liens and continue fines when properties remained out of compliance.

During the penalty phase, the magistrate approved a county request to place a lien in case 25-008034 (McMinn), where the county reported prosecution costs of $420 and a $75-per-day fine totaling $6,570. The magistrate similarly approved liens or cost assessments in other cases in which respondents were absent or noncompliant.

Two cases drew extended discussion. In one, owner Jacqueline Garvey defended a garden she said supports pollinators and argued it was intentionally managed; the magistrate directed the county to perform a Florida‑Friendly yard review and gave the owner 60 days for compliance pending that inspection. In another, the magistrate granted 90 days for a kennel-related property to reduce animals below permitted thresholds after county staff and the zoning administrator clarified that a “kennel” is defined at 10 or more animals for DRC review and 20 or more for a Board special exception.

In the most serious safety-related matter, code administration said exposed electrical wiring and an uncovered main panel presented hazards; the magistrate accepted the county recommendation to place a lien but noted the respondent may later seek a reduction of fines if the property is brought into compliance.

The magistrate closed the hearing at 9:48 a.m.; written orders and final adjudications will be mailed to respondents as required.