Pensacola magistrate orders compliance by June 15, warns $50-per-day fines for multiple code violations

Ralph Peterson, a special magistrate for the City of Pensacola, on June 2 found multiple properties in the city in violation of municipal and state property-maintenance laws and ordered owners to correct the violations by June 15, 2026 or face a $50-per-day fine beginning June 16 and $200 in court costs.

At the start of the session, Peterson said the hearings were being audio and video recorded and that witnesses would be sworn before presenting evidence. Code enforcement officers presented photographic evidence and inspection timelines for four properties the authority placed on the docket.

Dave Partrick, a city code enforcement officer, testified that his inspection of 1014 North D Street found vegetation taller than 12 inches, an inoperable vehicle and a dilapidated fence and that certified notices and posting had been attempted. "I inspected the property this morning and there's been no apparent change to the property," Partrick said, and the city asked the magistrate to find the property in violation and order compliance by June 15.

Respondent Vern Wayne Watson, who identified himself while testifying, objected to certified-mail evidence on the grounds it had been addressed to a co-trustee, Antoinette Renee Watson. Peterson overruled the objection and admitted the documents as exhibits. Watson told the panel he is disabled, is repairing a vehicle he said is awaiting a transmission and blamed neighbors for damage to the fence. "She don't give no transparency at all," Watson said of Antoinette Watson during his remarks.

An officer who self-identified as Ron Balton presented three other cases. For 215 Fairfax Drive he described an inoperable black Dodge Dakota with no tag and documented returned certified mail and posted notices; for a property listed as 527 (transcript spellings vary) he cited complaints of rodents, trash and debris; and for two properties at 3473 Bayou Boulevard and 538 Windhurst (transcript includes alternate spellings) officers described inoperable vehicles and accumulations of rubbish. In each matter the officers requested findings of violation, court costs of $200 as allowed under Florida Statute 162, and the $50-per-day fine to begin on June 16 if compliance was not achieved by June 15.

Peterson admitted the officers' testimony and photographic exhibits and said orders would specify the remedial measures for each property. "If there's not compliance by June 15, 2026, a fine in the amount of $50 per day will commence," he told those present, and he directed that copies of the written orders be mailed both to owner addresses on file and to occupants where applicable. Noncompliance hearings were scheduled for June 16, 2026 to determine whether fines should be assessed.

The magistrate closed the docket after determining notice had been properly provided and ordering compliance measures; no new or unfinished business was brought forward.

What happens next: owners and occupants named in the hearing will receive written orders specifying required remedial actions and the June 16 hearing will determine whether fines take effect if the cited conditions are not corrected.