Code enforcement cites resident at Blue Gables for unpermitted shed

Code enforcement officer Jacob McLaughlin told the magistrate that a complaint received Sept. 29, 2025, led to an inspection that found a crudely built shed without a permit next to a home on Lot 40 at 302 South Ridgewood Avenue in the Blue Gables mobile home park. "I am code enforcement officer Jacob McLaughlin," he said when presenting the case.

McLaughlin said his inspection found no permits on file for the lot and that he left a door hanger and contacted the park office. He posted a notice of violation on Oct. 13 for the Florida Building Code, section 105.1, which requires a permit for accessory structures. McLaughlin said he later spoke with the resident, identified in the transcript as Mr. Miller, who said "he would be getting the permit and needs to find an engineer as directed by the building department." McLaughlin granted multiple extensions while the resident pursued an engineer, including offering "another 2 week extension" after the resident reported contacting Blueprints by Design in DeLand.

McLaughlin said a reinspection on Dec. 8 found that the resident reported the engineer plans had fallen through. Because of the time already given, McLaughlin met with Mr. Miller and Sandy, the manager of Blue Gables, and provided copies of citation 838 (noted in the transcript as 83847-1105.1) for the permit-required violation. He told the magistrate that staff recommends a $75 citation, which he reported has already been paid, and daily fines of $100 per day for each day the violation remains after Feb. 9, 2026.

The report in the record is McLaughlin's recommendation to the special magistrate; the transcript does not record a final decision or vote on the recommended fines.