On Feb. 5, 2025, the Venice special magistrate found the respondent in case CEEN24‑04601 (listed at 545 Riviera Street, Unit B) had not brought the property into compliance and imposed a civil fine of $250 per day beginning Feb. 4, 2025 until the property is found in compliance by the code enforcement officer.

Code Enforcement Officer Willie Acosta told the magistrate he had made a site visit on Feb. 4 and reported no change to the property. Acosta said certified letters and emails had been sent and that he received a correspondence that morning from the resident’s son saying the mother was in the hospital and asking to cancel the hearing.

Acosta described a large beehive that remained active and said “as you see, the bees are now, within the home. There are many dead bees inside the window.” He also described a fallen, deteriorating fence line, yard waste and debris, an open bucket of water and persistent overgrowth. Acosta said the property had been posted and that code‑enforcement records show similar violations dating back to 2023.

The magistrate entered the order on the record: “A fine is hereby imposed in the amount of $250 per day beginning on 02/04/2025 and terminating on the day the property is found to be in compliance by the code enforcement officer.” The magistrate also directed that a certified copy of the order be recorded in the public records of Sarasota County and thereafter constitute a lien against the subject property.

The city recommended the $250 per day fine, which the magistrate imposed consistent with the officer’s testimony and photographic evidence taken during inspections.