Darnell Bennett, a Walton County code compliance officer, presented evidence in a case involving 64 West Clover Lane in Defuniak Springs and told the magistrate the property had unpermitted sheds and RVs being used as dwelling units and lingering junk and debris.

Bennett told the hearing that the owners obtained planning approvals in March 2025 but still required building permits and a septic inspection overseen by the state Department of Environmental Protection. He told the magistrate that an initial notice was posted in September 2024 and additional notices hand-delivered and mailed in 2025. Bennett recommended 60 days to complete outstanding building inspections and septic approvals.

The magistrate found violations of the Walton County Land Development Code (development approvals, building permits, and junk/debris sections), accepted staff’s recommendation and ordered compliance by July 14. The order states a $100-per-day fine will begin if the property is not compliant by that date and a $98 administrative fee is due within 30 days.

Bennett noted the outstanding permit and septic inspection remain in DEP review, and the magistrate recorded that the development-approval portion had been resolved but building permits and junk removal remained outstanding. The magistrate’s order leaves open the administrative procedure for fine accrual and for the owners to request a later fine-reduction hearing if progress is shown.