Wellington special magistrate finds multiple homeowners in violation, sets April compliance deadlines and fines

The Village of Wellington’s special magistrate found multiple property owners in violation of local codes at a March 19, 2026, code-enforcement hearing and set compliance deadlines and administrative costs.

Shanae Duffy, a code compliance officer for the village, presented dozens of cases alleging expired permits, stained roofs and driveways, unapproved fence work, missing landscape plantings and mechanical equipment not screened from view. For one homeowner, Shanae Duffy said the inspections showed “partial compliance” but that the roof staining remained and staff recommended fines and costs.

The magistrate found Mohini Prasad in violation of Wellington Code §13.2.b.1 for a stained roof at 13667 Columbine Avenue but limited the fine to the period from Feb. 19 through March 4, 2026, together with costs of $35.26 and a five‑year cease‑and‑desist order. “I’m going to find her in violation, but the fine will only be for the period of … February 19 to March 4,” the magistrate said during the ruling. Prasad told the magistrate she had paid a roofer and tried pressure‑washing the roof but said the contractor fell behind and only applied for the permit on March 4, 2026.

Neighbor Winston Pierce testified he had seen roof washers on Prasad’s home. “There were two gentlemen on the roof pretty much all day doing … with their spray guns,” Pierce said, describing an apparent attempt to clean the roof.

Other cases ranged from expired building permits and partially completed work to landscape and hedge violations. In several cases staff recommended, and the magistrate ordered, that respondents be given until April 16, 2026, to correct violations or face daily fines (commonly $25–$50 per day depending on the code section and whether work had begun) and payment of administrative costs (typically in the $12–$50 range). Magistrate orders also commonly included five‑year cease‑and‑desist provisions and schedules for fine‑certification hearings if respondents failed to comply; the staff repeatedly noted fine‑certification hearings scheduled for May 21, 2026.

Examples of outcomes the magistrate issued: - Case NOHCC12002025 (13667 Columbine Ave): found in violation for roof staining; fine limited to Feb. 19–Mar. 4, 2026; assessed $35.26 in costs; cease‑and‑desist order for five years. (Respondent: Mohini Prasad.) - Case NOHCC53512025 (13680 Columbine Ave, Pert Trust): found in violation for hedge/landscape deterioration; compliance deadline set for April 16, 2026; recommended fine up to $25/day and $12.22 in costs; stipulation offered for submitting a landscape plan. (Respondent: Winston and Erica Pert, represented in hearing.) - Multiple expired‑permit matters (several BP numbers cited): magistrate distinguished between permits pulled with no work (lower fine) and permits where work started but inspections were not requested (higher fine); in one case the magistrate set a $50/day fine where work had commenced with incomplete inspections.

The magistrate and staff emphasized the goal is compliance, not punishment, encouraging respondents to submit plans or work with village staff. Several respondents were told to coordinate with building and landscaping inspectors — for example, the building official, Matt Mills, and landscape inspector D’Angelo Campo — to produce approved plans for corrections.

Next steps: respondents were given specific deadlines (many April 16, 2026) to show compliance. If violations remain, the village will proceed with fine‑certification hearings (often scheduled for May 21, 2026) and may record liens or extend fines until violations are corrected.

The hearing was recorded and televised on the village government access channel; the magistrate concluded the session after the last case.

Sources: transcript of the March 19, 2026 Village of Wellington code‑enforcement hearing; code compliance officers’ presentations and the magistrate’s rulings (see meeting record).