Bay County magistrate orders repairs, permits and fines for multiple unfit properties

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Bay County special magistrate Bill Lewis on April 13 ordered several property owners in the county’s unincorporated area to obtain building or demolition permits, complete repairs and submit action plans after hearing testimony from code-enforcement staff and property owners.

Lewis found multiple violations of Bay County Code §17-2 — including blighted or unfit mobile homes, unsecured accessory structures, overgrowth and accumulated junk — and either set 30-day compliance actions or continued enforcement to align with active demolition or repair permits. He warned that failure to comply would trigger civil fines and liens under the county’s assessment rules.

The most detailed case involved a mobile home at 3120 East 13th Court, where code-enforcement officer Robert Clarkson told the magistrate a structural engineer’s letter deemed the mobile home and its attached addition "safe" but recommended roof repairs and noted the addition was built without permits. The owner’s representative, Galen Kelly, said he had cleared debris, hired a structural engineer and obtained a contractor estimate but was facing large costs. "I'm already, like, $6,000 $7,000 in, and I am here to comply," Kelly said.

Lewis found a violation for a "blighted mobile home with addition" and ordered the respondent to submit a detailed action plan with timeframes and obtain all required permits within 30 days. The order requires repairs to the roof, flashing and soffit to be completed in accordance with the structural report and approved action plan; it set an initial penalty of $200 and a $25 daily fine for ongoing noncompliance, and noted fines and abatement costs could become liens on the property.

At 5216 Sunwood Road, inspector Mike Thorpe told the hearing the owner had applied for and received a March 25 demolition permit (expiration Sept. 25, 2026) and that debris removal and a final building-safety inspection were scheduled. Based on submitted photographs and Thorpe’s testimony, Lewis found the respondent had complied for the time being and noted a final compliance hearing would follow if needed.

Thorpe also reported that a demolition permit for the accessory structure at 600 Live Oak Lane was issued March 17 (expires Sept. 17, 2026). The respondent at that hearing said progress was being made to remove debris; the magistrate deferred further enforcement while the permit remains active.

In a phone hearing about 608 Plantation Drive, Jacqueline Dorval told the magistrate she had secured the property, had contractors mow and change door locks and is exploring selling or obtaining a structural report and demolition permit. Clarkson told the magistrate he had inspected the property and received photos showing work in progress. Lewis reduced a potential penalty from $1,000 to $250 if the owner fails to comply and scheduled a compliance hearing for June 11 at 1 p.m.; he also reminded Dorval to disclose the enforcement order to prospective buyers.

At 8931 Merlin Drive, Thorpe reported no new permit applications despite earlier continuances; the house had unpermitted roof work, missing windows and scattered debris. Lewis found continued noncompliance and authorized county staff or a contractor to enter the premises to abate violations; the magistrate said abatement costs and any imposed fines would be addressed at a later hearing and could become liens under the Uniform Assessment Collection Act and the county code.

Thorpe reported a 20-by-30 accessory structure permit issued March 18 for property at 8441 Freeze Road; the magistrate continued that matter pending finalization of the permit. For 1839 West 27th Street, Thorpe said a demolition permit had been issued March 25 and that dumpsters had been removed and work was ongoing; the magistrate continued enforcement pending permit finalization.

During a telephone appearance about Morganville Road, an attorney for the mortgagee told the hearing the mortgage holder (identified as Rocket Mortgage, successor to Nationstar) had filed foreclosure and estimated that a sale could take a minimum of roughly 180 days; the firm said foreclosure litigation could delay remedial work requiring a title or owner to authorize permits.

The magistrate repeatedly emphasized that obtaining and finalizing permits — and keeping code enforcement informed of progress and any permit delays or expirations — is central to avoiding fines. Where demolition or repair permits have been issued, Lewis deferred enforcement actions to the permit timelines; where no permits were in place, he issued compliance deadlines or authorized county abatement.

Next procedural steps include the June 11 compliance hearing noted for the Plantation Drive matter and future final hearings to resolve abatement-cost liens where the county proceeds with cleanup or demolition.