[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6543060,"mediaKeyId","3773780-48ece903ee1c139efe9fdb842ba6e465","parentId",3773780,"title","Magistrate reduces fine to $200 and waives daily fines for property owner after compliance claims","audioSeconds",257,"startMs",3396000,"endMs",3653000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773780-48ece903ee1c139efe9fdb842ba6e465&start=3396&end=3653","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773780-48ece903ee1c139efe9fdb842ba6e465/thumbnail_3396000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6543060/Bay-County/Florida/Magistrate-reduces-fine-to-200-and-waives-daily-fines-for-property-owner-after-compliance-claims","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543060-e6e74d058071d98e3a3fe09567f2dd3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452862&Signature=PkLtFJMBaHjLoBAx60-KgXREOBpcswpaHDmDuNfzI6LiKp9rLWexiSueMMhwGRII7Ek9LWy25viTgRbNmhbczY4YN2JA7dTCxlB5YQZg0U-izRmjqouCZPGWi1Wnj8nTzwei7B07vzAjrIdnC1gSuoBY8MZpPZGAwkYmEZVNvchYtcOOtsmXqHc9fW0HKRA5brpKEWQm5UMZsC3B0dv1YSVAcMUdEY2rAUqC9youkD1TEErotmeFN2PnHzwDpScx6gE3b13oDkVtjc97ZXesDvU~aiX-~HNafzwoYP23bghWM4iYWElTin8w0~b7wHLcfoi-~C--AyvAEYpTDg32lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bay County","date","2025-06-11T00:00:00Z","article","A Bay County special magistrate amended a prior Code Enforcement order and reduced the total fine for a property owner to $200, waiving daily fines that together totaled $350, after a representative said the property had been cleaned and brought toward compliance.

Paul McGrath appeared and said he was representing aging parents and had been working to clear vehicles and debris from a property their family owns. \"I've got the yard cleaned up. I've been working my tail off on it,\" McGrath said. He asked the magistrate for leniency because his parents were elderly and the family had not received or understood earlier notices.

The magistrate said the county's records show the property was later brought into compliance but that the timing had not met the deadlines in the original order. After hearing from McGrath, the magistrate amended the May order to reflect a fine of $200 and waived the previously assessed daily fines totaling $350. The magistrate declined to waive accrued interest and told McGrath to contact the Code Enforcement office on the second floor to arrange payment. The magistrate directed the family to provide a contact to receive future notices to avoid similar mailing problems.

The magistrate noted that interest already accrued on the enforcement lien could not be waived but encouraged prompt payment to avoid further interest. The modified order reflects the reduced fine and the waiver of daily fines; the magistrate did not eliminate the lien but adjusted the monetary penalty and confirmed payment instructions.

Code Enforcement staff said the property had been inspected and that the county would maintain a record of compliance status and outstanding charges; an amended final order will be prepared to reflect the changes ordered in court.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bay County - Code Magistrate Hearing - Jun 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At a Code Enforcement hearing, the special magistrate amended a prior order to set the fine at $200 and waived daily fines totaling $350 after the speaker said the property had been cleaned; accrued interest was not waived and must be paid to clear the lien.","taxTitle","Bay County, Florida","taxId",4833,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543064,"Bay County finds repeat overgrowth violations at 19420 Alta Vista Drive, gives owner five days to cut grass",197,6136000,6333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773780-48ece903ee1c139efe9fdb842ba6e465&start=6136&end=6333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773780-48ece903ee1c139efe9fdb842ba6e465/thumbnail_6136000.jpg","/articles/6543064/Bay-County/Florida/Bay-County-finds-repeat-overgrowth-violations-at-19420-Alta-Vista-Drive-gives-owner-five-days-to-cut-grass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543064-1924c624d4415319ab53248238a799bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452862&Signature=OmeM0lk5-zHYCpDkIezas78H~z8ZcqDFPWm9ZvN~5U4d2anmUX95cIlIqdiVNCmPzOVcjIuUuC622vmFhn0lkH7lRbORXMo5kEvzPuwgvSk1cEzWIwRw0i5uXSIXkrG1CqBcwC~Ddi3NQt3MKrLZ8Ve-bXzQtm8AQeeBvM~nEpi~4TASFxP5grb1j9GBxUB-wssUwLcUPjOApaGJVArte3-2SyU0ehlnb0bXgUlwV-OHx8ysc5Q6ePlWx55FR9qlNOLSnbmH~T32MfUunppxM1ccFvYIBPV9Cjm5weKxFl15k3O-hZWXIRR2zEuqk8get7vSyilZI5~s6n1NeNGYrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bay County's special magistrate found the property at 19420 Alta Vista Drive in unincorporated Bay County (Laguna Beach area) to be a repeat violator for overgrowth and ordered the owner to cut grass and weeds within five days or face fines and a lien.

Investigator Joe Tripp of Bay County Code Enforcement testified that his initial inspection showed grass \"in excess of, a foot and a half tall.\" He said certified and regular notices of violation and hearing were sent to the property address on record and that mail was returned unclaimed in some instances. Tripp said he has had no communication with the property owner and that a neighbor reported the owner may be out of the country.

The magistrate noted multiple prior enforcement orders in the file and designated the respondent a repeat violator. The respondent was ordered to bring the property into compliance within five days by removing all overgrowth of grass and weeds. The magistrate set an initial fine of $400 and a daily fine of $75 to begin after the five-day period, to run for up to 25 days or until compliance; unpaid fines will become a lien on real and personal property in Bay County. A compliance hearing was scheduled for July 16 at 1 p.m.

The magistrate instructed the respondent to contact Code Enforcement about progress or delays in compliance. The order and photographic exhibits were posted and introduced into evidence during the hearing.","The Bay County special magistrate found 19420 Alta Vista Drive to be a repeat violator for overgrowth and ordered the owner to cut grass and remove weeds within five days or face fines and a lien.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543068,"Bay County orders demolition or repairs at 9104 N. Silver Lake after inspectors find unsafe, unpermitted structure",1091,4484000,5575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773780-48ece903ee1c139efe9fdb842ba6e465&start=4484&end=5575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773780-48ece903ee1c139efe9fdb842ba6e465/thumbnail_4484000.jpg","/articles/6543068/Bay-County/Florida/Bay-County-orders-demolition-or-repairs-at-9104-N-Silver-Lake-after-inspectors-find-unsafe-unpermitted-structure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543068-eabe83643098cda6c63e2c8448843bba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452862&Signature=JJBrUPDWxPuBzP~udGTaDQVm5sId5A5siTRWLoyww-V9Jb-qNrp0i-v2zkkudDQHfal3VC0EccVD9nCuYwRTBjxfOwEQxSW7xHnyWwgSSNwtazScPRSA4wiic0Mev91nBGRwiEFo1W5btWa7kFz2N8UB48yNNbxm3wpBYCgHq62hsveLjmn6976JkiT8upPqxLXhx9P6OhHN6jVaG3x5pX01u0z9XFPESZPuEQ1Ec9S14LsF6bUpWQ29sfSxgOMbR9BWYwr~MDQ5Dqiv7rQocbPjaZgZg~wgZHrZEC51eeiBewHioPUjtjyQ4AGE5MEeWE3atDpXAWtq1-BiNwbFrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bay County's special magistrate found the structure at 9104 North Silver Lake in the Fountain area to be unsafe and ordered the respondent to either obtain a demolition permit and remove the structure or submit a complete building-permit application, structural report and action plan within 30 days.

Donna Newell, trades investigator with the Bay County Building Safety Division, said the department received complaints and that investigators observed active construction without issued building permits. \"We received the complaint from a neighbor across the street. And as we pulled onto the property, there was, obviously, a structure being built,\" Newell said, and she reported stop-work orders and that the Bay County Sheriff's Office assisted when workers and equipment needed to be removed.

Robert Boulet, Bay County building official, inspected the structure and described conditions that posed safety risks. \"It is\" an unsafe structure, Boulet said when asked whether the observed building was unsafe. He noted that the structure could be easily accessed from the roadway, had fresh tire tracks, no fencing or trespass signage, and that the partially completed upper deck lacked railings or decking in places that would allow someone to walk into an unsafe area.

The magistrate found a violation of Bay County Code section 17-2 (unsafe structure) after reviewing photographs and testimony. The order requires the respondent to \"apply for and obtain a demolition permit, demolish and remove demolition debris from the property,\" or alternatively to \"submit a complete building permit application to the building department\" including a full structural report and detailed action plan with time frames and to complete all required inspections and finalization of permits. If the respondent fails to comply within 30 days, the magistrate ordered a $1,000 fine to be imposed and recorded as a lien on real and personal property in Bay County. A compliance hearing was set for July 16 at 1 p.m.

Investigators recorded multiple inspections dating back to February 2024 and continuing into 2025, including stop-work orders and postings of hearing notices. New ownership changes were noted in the file; the current respondent listed in the enforcement documents is Mr. Alvarado. The magistrate emphasized that permits, engineering and plan review must be completed before any work will be approved and that allowing permits to expire or be revoked after issuance will be treated as noncompliance under the order.

The magistrate directed the respondent to contact Code Enforcement if there are delays in meeting the order and required final inspections and permit finalizations before repairs would be deemed complete. The compliance hearing will revisit the property on July 16 at 1 p.m.","Bay County building officials and code enforcement found an elevated, partially built structure at 9104 North Silver Lake without permits and declared it unsafe; the magistrate ordered the owner to demolish or submit full repair plans and permits within 30 days or face fines and a lien.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543074,"Bay County finds illegal towing activity and fence-height violations at two adjacent parcels; orders removal of towing equipment",2917,1488000,4405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773780-48ece903ee1c139efe9fdb842ba6e465&start=1488&end=4405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773780-48ece903ee1c139efe9fdb842ba6e465/thumbnail_1488000.jpg","/articles/6543074/Bay-County/Florida/Bay-County-finds-illegal-towing-activity-and-fence-height-violations-at-two-adjacent-parcels-orders-removal-of-towing-equipment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543074-161d11e556e5ca9638ab65b961a5671c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452862&Signature=ZXutc6x9SVvSm90~6RmDtXxl5ChDE~xJ95Vuo6LeeAOllLwp41e0vcoToDhsGNRVD4f9ADHFNFUUgdp1CzN~Q1L4Zf0VfPkSY~ZNMoOx4kmRZELYAsDcoRBmU~SD7IJhHYYfcg4FNfmuI-fR2fgGyrl0S293sQwvPq5bVnPqYfv63TiBQqaoefxijQSxtdXO7JXZJTteBSWUCjDMwE5ewOWtyzOJa01N7p43u2MWj2KKGF7Iv6uzoxZ6jcJn5SSSmSukz7RqA8c5EXBFZ-w5uYxChAVUM7n40-OzWWcPxjHAvkqZ0Qngz6bCFVNUr9q3MuPqS9MWZU~n1Kh5zH2jnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bay County's special magistrate found two adjacent properties — 2728 East Thirteenth Street and 1234 Northeast Avenue in the Cedar Grove area — in violation of local land-development rules and ordered removal of equipment related to towing, repossession or vehicle storage within 10 days, citing evidence of an ongoing towing/recovery operation and fence-height violations.

Robert Clarkson, a Bay County code enforcement investigator, testified that he and other staff documented an assembled fence exceeding allowable heights, a gate left open exposing an RV and other debris, frequent tow trucks and vehicle-related equipment, and what he described as activity consistent with a towing or recovery business. \"At this point, I would would say yes because, you know, there's car coming and going in tow trucks. So he's obviously operating a form of business on this lot,\" Clarkson said.

Clarkson introduced prior administrative and court actions in the file. He said a former county Code Enforcement Board order found operations at the site in 2016 (case CE16-00157) and that a later county complaint led to final summary judgment and a permanent injunction in 2017 (case number 170248CA), which forbids operating a commercial towing and storage business on the property. Clarkson also reported Bay County Sheriff's Office records and repossession logs showing frequent activity reported by a recovery company associated with the site.

Owner James Atkinson appeared and disputed some allegations, saying he uses a tow truck for work and that he does not store repossessed vehicles at the site. \"I do drive tow trucks. I do not store any repossessed vehicles there,\" Atkinson said. The investigator cited evidence including tow trucks on site, a repo license linked to Atkinson and numerous calls for service to the sheriff's office.

The magistrate found both properties (2728 E. Thirteenth and 1234 NE Ave.) are subject to Bay County Land Development Regulations (chapters cited in the file) and are in violation of LDR 603 and related sections. The order requires removal of equipment related to towing, repossession, or vehicle storage within 10 days, but notes the existing permanent injunction allows one tow truck for personal use. The magistrate imposed an initial fine of $500 and a daily fine of $50 beginning after the compliance period and continuing up to 20 days or until compliance; unpaid fines will become a lien. A compliance hearing was scheduled for July 16 at 1 p.m.

Clarkson testified that he sent notices by certified and regular mail and posted notices at the property; some certified mail was left with an individual on site, and other mailing attempts were returned unclaimed. He also testified that the county had previously obtained injunctive relief in circuit court and introduced those court orders as exhibits.

Magistrate instructions required the respondents to contact Code Enforcement about any progress or delays and authorized reinspection to confirm compliance. The case file includes photographic exhibits, sheriff's department tow/repo logs, prior Code Enforcement orders (CE16-00157) and a 2017 final judgment and injunction (170248CA). The magistrate's order takes effect immediately; noncompliance will trigger fines and lien actions and be revisited at the July 16 compliance hearing.

The magistrate allowed the respondent one tow truck consistent with the prior injunction but directed removal of other towing/repo equipment and storage activities from both parcels. The magistrate also noted that operating a commercial repo or storage yard on a residentially zoned parcel is not permitted under the county's LDRs.","After repeated inspections and photographic evidence, Bay County's special magistrate ordered removal of towing/repo-related equipment and correction of fence heights at 2728 East Thirteenth Street and 1234 Northeast Avenue, citing a prior permanent injunction against commercial towing at the site.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6543079,"Bay County orders owner at 213 El Reposo Place to remove visible junk within 10 days",1327,43000,1370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3773780-48ece903ee1c139efe9fdb842ba6e465&start=43&end=1370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3773780-48ece903ee1c139efe9fdb842ba6e465/thumbnail_43000.jpg","/articles/6543079/Bay-County/Florida/Bay-County-orders-owner-at-213-El-Reposo-Place-to-remove-visible-junk-within-10-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543079-cb3aa7ed7c6893d7de2e34691f5d423d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452862&Signature=bpIpUUoojx-fNMxIPKzvRXLfS7bfx8WMoYvH2s1wd~z-oo5OtugO1CHHVxJVM3s0w5dlRv6XyVgVbkERcZT8fR0VHsWAIb1px~LbjubghrnNiZ89~6YuNT801-S8eiqbgKlQ7PXFBVXmVsiwCvhpBaVATVLGkHLsDNaDvnUghvRpvcjN~ArMtWJsGarn~LlVOPzyn1KvlmoVpGMXEfec3MPm51Jv3A9XhlILcX-j-eJJdGF~SdMxsr99gvZ~zhS398kLO0B-HOGGzdP3bsmtkNGuEB9L~sUD8fTYlDIevpuGz5zHd6QYQy4aLNIW89ixNEDPRBDXT80HoyOa20W~pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Bay County special magistrate ordered the owner of 213 El Reposo Place in unincorporated Laguna Beach to remove trash, junk and unscreened personal property visible from the street within 10 days, after county investigators documented repeated inspections and notices.

Investigator Joe Tripp of Bay County Code Enforcement told the magistrate he conducted multiple inspections beginning Feb. 5 and submitted an investigative report with photos. \"I've submitted my investigative report for the record. Notices are indicated in the report. Photos are attached,\" Tripp said. He described trash and personal property visible in the driveway and rear yard and a partially broken fence that left the rear yard exposed to public view.

The magistrate said notices were mailed, posted and that certified mail had been returned \"unclaimed\" in some instances. The magistrate found a violation of Bay County Code section 17-2 in the form of \"junk, trash, and unscreened or unused personal property,\" and ordered compliance. \"The respondents shall have a period of 10 days to bring the property into compliance by removing any and all junk and trash, and any unscreened or unused personal property must be either properly screened, properly screened, or removed from the property,\" the magistrate said.

William Davidson spoke for the property owner, saying his wife, Martha Jane Collins, was unable to attend because of Parkinson's disease and that the family had been in Tallahassee for medical testing during part of the inspection period. Davidson said they had worked on the fence and planned further clean-up but asserted they had not received initial notices. The magistrate and Tripp noted multiple re-inspections and postings between February and June and found the violations persisted during those inspections.

The order sets an initial fine of $200 and a daily fine of $25 to begin after the 10-day compliance period and continue up to 20 days or until compliance, whichever comes first; unpaid fines will become a lien on real and personal property in Bay County. A compliance hearing was scheduled for July 16 at 1 p.m.

The magistrate also required the respondents to notify Code Enforcement of progress or delays in meeting the order. If the family or owner wants further information about the notices and timing, Code Enforcement recognizes that certified and regular mail records, posting at the property and posting at the County Government Center are part of the administrative record.

A compliance hearing is set for July 16 at 1 p.m. to determine whether the property has been brought into compliance and whether fines or liens should be imposed.","A Bay County special magistrate ordered the owner of 213 El Reposo Place in unincorporated Laguna Beach to remove junk and screen or remove unscreened personal property visible from the street within 10 days or face fines and a lien.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Magistrate reduces fine to $200 and waives daily fines for property owner after compliance claims

Bay County finds repeat overgrowth violations at 19420 Alta Vista Drive, gives owner five days to cut grass

Bay County orders demolition or repairs at 9104 N. Silver Lake after inspectors find unsafe, unpermitted structure

Bay County finds illegal towing activity and fence-height violations at two adjacent parcels; orders removal of towing equipment

Bay County orders owner at 213 El Reposo Place to remove visible junk within 10 days