The Building and Standards Commission on Oct. 8 adopted a repair order requiring the owner of a duplex at 2115 Courtney Street to obtain permits and correct numerous exterior and roof deficiencies within 45 days, and amended the civil penalty in the staff order from $250 per week to $1,000 per week.

Investigator Johnny Serna presented photos and testimony showing siding and fascia deterioration, unpermitted and substandard repairs using expanding foam, missing foundation seals, unpermitted HVAC work, and roof vents in disrepair. Serna said his division has inspected the property multiple times and had earlier pursued administrative hearings related to non‑exterior code violations.

Commissioners asked about the duration of the case; Serna said the matter has been open since Oct. 17, 2023 and that the team was unable to secure interior photos because inspectors lacked interior access at times. The commission admitted staff exhibits and the recommended findings of fact and conclusions of law.

Commissioner Ybarra moved to adopt staff’s proposed findings and recommended order with an amendment to raise the penalty to $1,000 per week (from the $250/week in the staff draft); the motion passed unanimously. The order requires the owner to finalize permits and correct the cited violations within 45 days of the date the order is mailed and to request inspections from Austin Development Services. If compliance is not achieved, the code official may assess a civil penalty at the stated rate until repairs are complete; interest accrues at 10% per year on assessed amounts until paid.

The chair said the order will be mailed and that staff will pursue inspections and enforcement if the owner fails to comply. The commission’s action is intended to compel remediation after years of deferred maintenance and repeated code cases.