Pensacola code-enforcement magistrate orders repairs, fines and continuances across May 13 docket

Special Magistrate Ralph Peterson presided over the City of Pensacola Code Enforcement Authority hearings on May 13, 2025, and issued findings, continuances and closure orders across more than a dozen property cases.

The hearings addressed unpermitted construction, stop-work orders and follow-ups on prior orders. Magistrate Peterson entered violation findings where inspectors presented evidence of unpermitted work and either ordered compliance by a set date, imposed court costs of $200 in cases where the city prevailed, or continued matters where owners were actively seeking permits. In several cases inspectors reported that permits had been issued and the cases were closed.

Why it matters: the orders set deadlines that can trigger daily fines if owners do not obtain required permits, and they clarify when work will be allowed to proceed under city review. The session recorded the city’s repeated use of Section 12-11-5 of the Pensacola Municipal Code (permits required) and Florida statutes governing code enforcement and court costs.

Most significant outcomes - 2115 West Cervantes Street (case no. 23162): The magistrate found unpermitted installation of roll-up doors, a door cut into brick, unpermitted electrical work and shipping containers on site. The court ordered the owner to obtain the required permits. Court costs of $200 were assessed, payable within 30 days. If corrective actions are not completed by June 9, 2025, a daily fine of $100 will begin on June 10, 2025.

- 1300 West Garden Street (case no. 24120): The court acknowledged that a permit application is under review and granted a continuance to the June 10, 2025 hearing. The record shows a higher daily fine amount had been contemplated in prior orders; the magistrate allowed time for review rather than imposing fines at this hearing.

- Cases closed after permit issuance: 3835 Scenic Highway (permit issued May 12–13; case closed; court costs assessed), 3635 Chastain Way (permit issued May 13; case closed; court costs paid), and 1620 Cypress Street (permit issued May 9; court costs waived and case closed).

Other orders and continuances - 710 North Seventh Avenue: Continued to July 8, 2025; court costs must be paid; respondent said demolition and ARB (Architectural Review Board) applications are in process.

- 1835 West Chase Street (case 25-21835): Permit submitted but not issued because of planning/zoning revisions; compliance set for June 9, 2025; $25-per-day fine to begin June 10 if outstanding; court costs $200.

- 20 North I Street: Permit application submitted May 13 (application number provided to staff); magistrate ordered compliance by May 26, 2025; $25-per-day fine effective May 27 if not in compliance; court costs $200.

- 237 North K Street: Magistrate found noncompliance with a prior order and directed that fines be assessed retroactive to April 22, 2025 (daily fine amount $25) because no permit had been issued.

- 350 South C Street and 380 South C Street: Both remain without permits; magistrate ordered daily fines of $25 beginning May 13, 2025, and noted court costs remain due where applicable.

- 2101 West Gregory Street: Noncompliance found; daily fines of $25 assessed effective April 8, 2025; court costs previously assessed.

- 2369 North Palafox Street: Plans and applications under review; matter continued to May 27, 2025.

- 5810 Penny Avenue: No permit issued; magistrate ordered daily fines of $25 beginning May 13, 2025; court costs remain outstanding.

- 3790 Potosi Road: A permit application submitted in December 2023 was denied by planning and zoning and the applicant did not respond. Magistrate ordered correction by May 26, 2025; $25-per-day fine to begin May 27, 2025; court costs $200.

- 722 South J Street: Permit review is incomplete because of plan issues; magistrate ordered compliance by June 23, 2025; $25-per-day fine to begin June 24, 2025; court costs $200.

What the orders do and next steps The magistrate’s orders generally require owners to obtain the necessary building permits and correct code violations. Where permits have been submitted and are in review, magistrate Peterson granted continuances to allow plan-review processes to proceed; where no permit activity existed, magistrate Peterson found noncompliance and directed fines to begin on specified dates. The city’s inspection staff will enforce continued noncompliance and collect assessed court costs where indicated.

Votes at a glance (cases and outcomes) - 2115 West Cervantes St., case 23162 — Found in violation; compliance by 06/09/2025; court costs $200; $100/day fine beginning 06/10/2025 if not corrected. - 710 N. 7th Ave., case 2341 — Continued to 07/08/2025; court costs required; owner pursuing ARB/demolition route. - 1835 W. Chase St., case 25-21835 — Continued; compliance by 06/09/2025; $25/day starting 06/10/2025 if outstanding; court costs $200. - 20 N. I St., case 2450 — Compliance by 05/26/2025; $25/day starting 05/27/2025 if not corrected; court costs $200. - 3835 Scenic Hwy., case 233835 — Permit issued; case closed; court costs assessed. - 237 N. K St., case 24-5237 — Noncompliance; fines assessed retroactive to 04/22/2025 at $25/day. - 350 S. C St., case 23185 — Noncompliance; fines $25/day effective 05/13/2025. - 380 S. C St., case 23184 — Noncompliance; fines $25/day effective 05/13/2025. - 1300 W. Garden St., case 24120 — Permit application in review; continued to 06/10/2025. - 2101 W. Gregory St., case 24-821 — Noncompliance; fines $25/day effective 04/08/2025. - 2369 N. Palafox St., case 2485 — Plans under review; continued to 05/27/2025. - 3635 Chastain Way, case 23133 — Permit issued 05/13/2025; case closed; court costs paid. - 5810 Penny Ave., case 23445 — Noncompliance; fines $25/day effective 05/13/2025. - 3790 Potosi Rd., case 23190 — Found in violation; compliance by 05/26/2025; $25/day beginning 05/27/2025; court costs $200. - 722 S. J St., case 25647/24237 — Permit reviewed but not issued; compliance by 06/23/2025; $25/day beginning 06/24/2025; court costs $200. - 1620 Cypress St., case 24236 — Permit issued 05/09/2025 (issued after notice-of-violation date); city waived court costs; case closed.

Ending: Magistrate Peterson closed the docket after the final case and adjourned the hearing. Staff indicated they will continue to monitor compliance, collect assessed court costs where ordered and calendar any continued matters for their next hearing dates.