Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Special Magistrate Hargraves orders fines and compliance deadlines in multiple Pensacola code cases; one dismissed
Summary
At a May 5 hearing, Special Magistrate Matthew Hargraves continued one case to Oct. 20, 2026, found two properties in violation and ordered court costs and daily fines if not corrected, and dismissed another after the owner remedied violations.
Special Magistrate Matthew Hargraves presided over a code-enforcement hearing in Pensacola on May 5, 2026, where he continued one matter, found violations in two properties and dismissed another after compliance was shown.
Kevin Smith, a code enforcement officer for the city of Pensacola, testified in case CE243499 (7645 Woodstream Drive) that “the mortgage holder for this property is on the cusp of finalizing the foreclosure process which will grant them ownership and allow them to make the repairs necessary to bring the property into compliance.” Smith asked for more time; with no objection the magistrate continued the hearing to Oct. 20, 2026.
Tom Lucian, a code enforcement specialist, presented records and photos in case CE261204 (listed as 504 North G Street) showing the property lacked sanitation service and remained delinquent after certified notices. Lucian asked the court to find the property in violation of the International Property Maintenance Code. Hargraves found a violation, ordered court costs of $200 payable within 30 days and set a compliance deadline of May 18, 2026; he ordered daily fines of $25 to begin May 19, 2026, if the property remained out of compliance.
In case CE261490 (5042 Bayou Boulevard), Kevin Smith testified that inspections documented graffiti and “excess amounts of loose litter and rubbish.” Smith asked the court to find the property in violation of IPMC section 308.1 for accumulation of rubbish. Hargraves found a violation, ordered court costs of $200 payable within 30 days and directed daily fines of $100 to begin May 19, 2026, until the property is brought into compliance.
Officer Ron Bowden presented case CE261102 (632 Ditmar Street), showing photographs of multiple inoperable vehicles. Bowden said the owner later contacted him, explained the owner had been hospitalized, and arranged correction. Hargraves found the property had been in violation after the 21-day compliance period lapsed but accepted the city’s request to waive enforcement of penalties; the case was dismissed with no fines or court costs ordered.
Hargraves reviewed other agenda items, including requests to increase fines or liens and potential emergency matters under Florida Statute 162.064, and was told none were pending. The hearing adjourned with no further business.
The orders adopt the enforcement steps requested by city staff in the respective cases; deadlines and fine amounts listed above are the magistrate’s directives from the May 5 proceeding. If compliance is not achieved by the dates the magistrate set, the daily fines ordered will begin to accrue as stated.
