Code board finds Fernandina Beach homeowner in violation over unsecured pool, gives 30 days to comply

The Fernandina Beach Code Enforcement & Appeals Board on Monday found a homeowner at 2673 Gregor MacGregor Boulevard in violation of the city's land development code for failing to maintain a permanent safety barrier around a private pool and granted 30 additional days to come into compliance.

Crystal Rhymes, a code enforcement officer for the City of Fernandina Beach, told the board that an initial inspection on Nov. 3, 2025 documented an unsecured pool with only a temporary plastic barrier that was not properly fastened. Rhymes said the 24-hour compliance inspection failed, a notice of violation and hearing were hand-delivered, and staff's recommendation was to find the respondent in violation of section 5.0111 and allow 30 days to make repairs.

The board discussed whether the temporary barrier was adequate and focused on health-and-safety concerns, including the risk of a child gaining access. Rhymes said the owner had obtained a quote of about $12,000 to fill the pool and that she did not expect the owner to operate the pool; the officer described the temporary fencing as easily dislodged.

After questions about feasibility and past related cases on the property, a board member moved to accept staff's recommendation, and the chair seconded. The board approved the motion, granting a compliance date of Jan. 4, 2026, and setting administrative fees with a fine of $200 per day to begin on Jan. 5, 2026, if the property remains out of compliance.

The motion carries the force of the board's enforcement recommendation; the board did not take further action beyond setting the compliance deadline and fine schedule. The item will return if the owner does not meet the deadline.