Code compliance officer Bridal Vaza presented the case for property at 3186 Rock Hill Road in Freeport (listed as Defuniak/Definiak Springs in materials) where inspectors cited multiple recreational vehicles and outdoor storage violations.

Vaza said the initial inspection on Jan. 2, 2025, found several RVs, inoperable vehicles and junk on the parcel and that the county posted a notice with a February compliance deadline. The county’s packet includes photos of the initial conditions and subsequent attempts to contact the owner.

County staff recommended 30 days to remove unlawful RV living or to limit RVs to the allowed number and to clear junk and inoperable vehicles; the recommendation included a $100-per-day fine for noncompliance and an $88 administrative fee. The magistrate confirmed that screening (a six-foot privacy fence or vegetative buffer) is an optional remedy under the zoning for that land use, not a mandatory remedy, and said the owner has options to resolve the violation by removing debris or installing screening consistent with the code.

The magistrate found the violations (Walton County Land Development Code sections on RVs/campers and junk/debris) and ordered compliance by June 13. If the property is not brought into compliance, a $100-per-day fine will accrue; a $88 administrative fee is due within 30 days.

During the hearing neighbors and staff described ongoing cleanup efforts (dumpsters had been delivered and used) and staff noted unstable sandy terrain that complicated debris removal and dumpster service.