Bay County magistrate authorizes demolition at Trout Lane, levies fines on multiple properties

The Bay County special magistrate heard a daylong slate of code-enforcement cases on June 18, 2026, finding multiple properties in violation of county code and ordering abatement, fines and one demolition.

Justin Ashburn, Bay County code enforcement manager, opened the first case at 638 Malaga Place and said the magistrate’s prior order addressed two accessory structures. Inspector Scott Thorpe testified that owner Samuel J. Hansen had applied for and obtained a demolition permit on 06/03/2026 (expiration 12/03/2026) to remove a partially collapsed accessory building and that the remaining accessory was inspected June 12 and found repairable without a structural permit. "I've got well, I've I've started the siding on that there, and I've I've got some of it stained," Samuel J. Hansen told the magistrate. Based on the permit and ongoing removal work the magistrate granted code enforcement’s request to continue the matter until the permit’s expiration.

At 6513 Pine Drive the magistrate found a sign-size violation. Investigator Brandon Erwin told the magistrate the large sign had been placed on a basketball goal and violated Bay County Land Development Regulations (chapter 30); photographs introduced to the record showed the sign in public view after earlier orders. Property owner Eddie Batt told the magistrate he considered the item "artwork" and asked the hearing to be reasonable. A neighbor called the continued presence of the sign "ridiculous" and asked the county to enforce the code. The magistrate found Batt had been given adequate time to comply, imposed the initial $200 fine and a $25 daily fine beginning June 13 (the magistrate recorded the initial total as $275, subject to additional accrual and recording as a lien under county collection rules).

The magistrate authorized a demolition at 1504 Trout Lane after Inspector Thorpe testified the structure was "unfit, unsafe" and remained in violation of Bay County Code §17-2 following prior orders. Monica Darrow, an attorney for the mortgagee, said she was present to monitor and asked about timing; the magistrate directed that county staff or any contractor hired by the county may enter the premises to demolish and remove debris, and that asbestos assessment and bidding steps would precede final demolition. The magistrate emphasized that costs of abatement and any fines will be addressed at a subsequent final hearing.

In other cases the magistrate ordered abatement and fines or closed matters after compliance. At 9906 Indian Bluff Road the magistrate imposed a $1,000 fine and authorized county staff or contractors to enter the property to abate overgrowth, trash, and an unsafe accessory structure. At 3901 West 26th Street investigator Robert Clarkson reported repeated derelict vehicles and debris; the magistrate imposed a $700 fine, designated the matter as a repeat-violation risk, but noted Clarkson’s June 18 inspection showed the property in compliance that day and said no further sanctions would be imposed at that time. The property at 3120 East 13th Court was found to have complied after repairs and permits were obtained and that case was closed.

Several items were continued or scheduled for further action. The magistrate continued the Malaga Place case until the demolition permit process concludes and scheduled final hearings where the county will determine abatement costs and any final fines to be recorded as liens in the public records of Bay County. Across cases the magistrate repeatedly authorized county entry and abatement where owners had failed to correct violations and flagged repeat offenders for heightened follow-up.

"Upon the recording of this order in the public records of Bay County, the cost levied against the respondent will constitute a lien on the land on which the violations occurred," the magistrate said in describing the county’s collection authority under the Uniform Assessment Collection Act and local code provisions.

The hearing concluded after the magistrate signed orders and noted some scheduling logistics; the magistrate adjourned the session.

Orders at a glance: - 638 Malaga Place: Continued until expiration of demolition permit (permit issued 06/03/2026, expires 12/03/2026). (Owner: Samuel J. Hansen.) - 6513 Pine Drive: Violation found for sign-size; initial fine $200 and $25/day beginning June 13 (recorded initial total $275); lienable costs. (Owner: Eddie Batt.) - 1504 Trout Lane: Property found unfit/unsafe; county authorized demolition and debris removal; asbestos survey and bidding steps to precede demolition; final hearing to determine costs. - 2430 East 17th Street: Telephone hearing attempted; remote witness sworn and matter addressed by code enforcement (no final order recorded during this session). - 9906 Indian Bluff Road: Fine $1,000 imposed; county authorized abatement of overgrowth, trash and unsafe accessory structure; costs to be set at final hearing. - 3901 West 26th Street: Magistrate imposed $700 fine and labeled matter repeat-violation risk; inspector reported property in compliance as of June 18 and magistrate said no further sanctions would be imposed at that time. - 3120 East 13th Court: Repairs completed, permits obtained; case closed. - 3111 F Street: Repeat violations found; county authorized abatement and a future hearing will set abatement costs and final fines.

The hearing record consists of testimony from Bay County code enforcement staff, property owners, a mortgagee representative and public commenters; follow-up hearings and abatement schedules were left to code enforcement and county contracting processes.