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Owner given extra time to remove large compost piles or apply for permit; faces $150-per-day fine
Summary
After code officers said large piles of compost were changing site drainage at 14796 North Road, the magistrate extended a compliance deadline to Aug. 18, 2026, and warned of a $150-per-day fine and a fine-assessment hearing Aug. 26 if the material is not removed or permitted.
The Town of Loxahatchee Groves Special Magistrate on June 24 extended the compliance deadline for a property at 14796 North Road after Code Compliance said piles of fill and wood debris (described in the file as compost) were altering site drainage.
Code Compliance Officer John Suarez said officers first posted a notice on April 28, 2026, and that the property is classified by the property appraiser as ornamental/miscellaneous agriculture on about 10 acres. Suarez told the magistrate that what had initially been reported as manure is compost; he said he and Public Works Director Craig Lower concluded the volume of material is changing drainage and that removal or a development permit would be required.
Suarez said the owner (identified in the hearing by his first name, George) has been working with staff and had removed some material but that significant piles remained. Town staff requested full removal or an application for a permit by July 24 and recommended fines of $150 per day for noncompliance and administrative costs of $409.66.
Because the owner was present and said he is cooperating, Special Magistrate Doug MacGiven granted additional time due to rainy-season constraints and set a final compliance date of Aug. 18, 2026, with an August 26, 2026 fine-assessment hearing if the property is not brought to an acceptable level. MacGiven also found the $409.66 in administrative costs reasonable and directed staff to prepare a signed order.
John Suarez will inspect the property on the schedule agreed in the hearing and the town will proceed with fines at the assessment hearing if the deadline is not met.
Next steps: inspection and monitoring before the Aug. 26 fine-assessment hearing.
