Code compliance board imposes $250 fine in confidential BTR case

The NSB Code Compliance Board voted July 17, 2025 to impose a one-time $250 fine in case CCBD-0110-2025 after staff concluded the property was operating without a business tax receipt (BTR). Chair Dan Kopferer opened the meeting and the board heard the staff presentation.

According to the code enforcement officer, staff found the owner, identified in the file as Amber Hebert (also known as Amber Bear), in violation of Section 74-146 for operating without a BTR. The officer said the board order was mailed and posted and that the case file was confidential; the officer explained confidentiality can be granted when requested by the property owner for statutorily recognized reasons such as protection of victims or law-enforcement-related concerns. "A one-time fine of $250 would be imposed for operating without a BTR," the code enforcement officer told the board.

Board members asked why the address was withheld. The presenter responded that confidentiality had been requested by the owner and that the statutes provide a list of qualifying situations (examples given included safe homes, law enforcement, judges or victims). The board then moved to impose the recommended fine; the motion carried.

The board ordered respondents to contact the code inspector to verify compliance and noted that respondents have the right to appeal the order to the circuit court within 30 days, per Florida Statute 162.11. The board also warned that any violation of the same code within five years would be treated as a repeat violation and could result in fines up to $500 per day.

The meeting record shows the board completed the action and moved on to new business; the confidential nature of the file means the property address was not read into the public record.