Pensacola magistrate sets compliance deadlines and prospective fines for multiple properties after unpermitted work

Special Magistrate Jason Onaki on April 28 granted compliance periods and set prospective fines for several Pensacola properties found to have performed construction without permits.

Onaki opened the City of Pensacola Code Enforcement Authority — Building Inspections hearing and heard evidence from Jonathan Bilby, director of Building Inspections, who presented stop-work orders, photographs and certified notices for each property. Bilby asked the court to find the properties in violation of the Pensacola Municipal Code for failing to obtain required permits and to impose court costs and prospective daily fines if owners did not correct the violations.

For 218 North Spring Street (case 26-20), Bilby said a stop-work order was posted after drywall had been installed covering fire-damaged attic areas and that no building permit had been issued. The property representative, identified in the record as Mr. Pham, said workers stopped immediately after notice and that a general contractor would submit engineering plans and a permit. Contractor Keith Jerome Harvey confirmed he performed the drywall work up to the stoppage. Onaki granted the requested relief: compliance by June 22, 2026; court costs of $200 payable within 30 days; and a $25-per-day fine to begin June 23, 2026, if corrective action is not completed. Bilby said the Department would revisit the matter if compliance was not achieved by the deadline.

At 4306 North Davis Highway (case 26-3), Bilby presented photographs showing a framed addition, fence and a walk-in cooler installed without permits. Owner Romy O'Cobb told the hearing a structural engineer is evaluating the work and designs are under review for Florida Building Code compliance. Onaki entered the same compliance date of June 22, 2026, ordered $200 in court costs and established a $100-per-day fine to begin June 23, 2026, should the property remain out of compliance. Bilby also advised the owner that a pending fence permit requires a site plan that could be submitted immediately to resolve part of the file while structural plans are finalized.

The court also addressed a prior unsafe-structure order for 1210 North 8th Avenue. Bilby said the property remained unsafe after a prior 02/24/2026 finding and requested daily fines of $25 beginning April 28, 2026. Onaki granted the department's requested relief and directed the appropriate documentation be entered to commence fines.

Two cases were closed without further action: 3140 Leesburg Square, where Bilby reported the owner obtained permits and removed portions of unpermitted work, and 4730 North Davis Highway, where a permit had been issued. In both instances the court closed the files.

At 909 North 6th Avenue (case 26-11), Bilby described interior structural, electrical and plumbing work performed without permits and requested court costs and prospective fines. Onaki found notice requirements satisfied, ordered compliance by June 22, 2026, set $200 in court costs due within 30 days and established a $25-per-day fine to begin June 23, 2026, if corrective actions are not completed.

Magistrate Onaki advised parties that if timing problems arise they should coordinate with Bilby's office. The court confirmed notice requirements had been met under Florida law and adjourned the hearing at 2:41 p.m. Central Time. Several matters were set to return to the next hearing on June 23, 2026, if compliance deadlines are not met.