The Fort Lauderdale Code Enforcement Board on July 22 ordered owners of multiple properties to come into compliance for work done without permit, granted a mix of extensions and continuances, and in some cases paused fines while permit reviews proceed.

The board singled out a commercial MRI tenant and its landlord at 2001 Northwest 62nd Street (Capital Cypress LLC) and ordered the property owner to bring the unit into compliance by Nov. 13, 2025, or face a $100-per-day fine. The city had documented an interior buildout for MRI services — including framing, drywall, mechanical and electrical work — for which no permits had been issued. Andrew Ingalls, an attorney representing the property owner, told the board the landlord had sent a demand letter to the tenant and submitted architectural plans. “As soon as my client received the notice, they sent out a demand letter to the tenant,” Ingalls said. The board found the violation exists as alleged and approved the compliance deadline.

The board also dealt with several cases involving large commercial sites where permitting work remains under review. At 2855 West Commercial Boulevard, counsel for Lauderdale Commercial Boulevard Partners LLC asked for a continuance because the attorneys of record were at trial; the board granted a 35-day continuance but the inspector confirmed fines would continue to accrue unless the board decided otherwise. Inspector Andrew Gebbia told members the contractor had submitted applications for plumbing and electrical work, but additional documentation was required.

A restaurant conversion case involving floodproofing drew extended discussion. The floodplain manager, Mark Haggerty, told the board the area in question lacks required floodproofing documentation and a floodproofing certificate certified by an architect or engineer. “We don't have the permit yet for the flood proofing, and we don't have the flood proofing certificate,” Haggerty said, and explained the existing temporary barrier did not meet Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements. The restaurant operator said removing the equipment would make the business inoperable and requested more time; after deliberation the board granted a 114-day extension but warned the owner to maintain communication with staff and to retain a licensed architect or engineer to complete the floodproofing permit and certificate.

Across the docket the board commonly approved extensions of 63 or 114 days for property owners who had submitted permit applications or engaged contractors and architects; in multiple cases the city recommended stopping fines while reviews and inspections proceed. For example, at 1440 Southwest 30th Street (Rodriguez Ferrero Investments), all permits were issued and the board halted fines and gave the owner 63 days to finish inspections and obtain a certificate of occupancy. Conversely, where the city reported no permit activity, board members pushed for shorter deadlines or a mandatory reappearance.

The board also handled fine imposition and administrative-cost requests. In some cases the board reduced or vacated amounts where the owner documented compliance; in one case a previously imposed fine and order were vacated after staff determined repairs were tied to a flood event and the owner later obtained required permits and inspections.

Why it matters: local permitting and code enforcement affect public safety, flood risk, and neighborhood conditions. Unpermitted work on mechanical, electrical or structural systems can create safety hazards; work on properties in flood-prone areas also requires adherence to FEMA and city floodproofing standards to protect buildings and occupants.

What the board decided (high-level): most property owners were ordered to complete permits and inspections by new deadlines (commonly 63 or 114 days), some fines were paused while the city processed permits, one commercial owner was given a 35-day continuance with fines continuing to accrue, and at least one commercial case resulted in an order with a $100-per-day penalty if compliance is not met.

What to watch next: owners returning to future hearings after the new deadlines; whether commercial tenant/landlord disputes (for example the MRI tenancy) result in eviction or additional enforcement; completion of floodproofing permits and issuance of certificates of occupancy where FEMA documentation is required.

Speakers quoted in this report spoke during the July 22, 2025 Code Enforcement Board hearing and are identified in board records. Board members repeatedly told respondents to remain in contact with assigned inspectors and warned that repeatedly missing deadlines could lead to more aggressive enforcement actions.