Fort Pierce special magistrate finds violations at multiple properties, orders permits or demolition deadlines

Special Magistrate Burrow on Monday found code violations at multiple Fort Pierce properties and ordered owners to obtain permits, complete inspections or face fines.

City building inspectors presented a series of cases involving expired or missing permits, electrical hazards, roof and drainage problems, pool-barrier defects and unsafe structures. In several matters the city moved time-stamped photographs into evidence to document conditions.

"It is this court's finding that a violation exists," Burrow said in multiple rulings, ordering deadlines that ranged from 30 to 90 days depending on the case and warning that "a fine of $250 per day will be assessed" if conditions are not corrected.

Notable outcomes included: a 60‑day compliance order for an expired roof/permit matter at 3001 Avenue B (JHC Ventures LLC); a 30‑day order for a new pool gate to be installed and inspected at Reynolds Drive; and a 60‑day order for electrical repairs at 423 North 18th Street after the city said an issued electrical permit lacked completed inspections. For several expired-permit cases (including 1009 Sunrise Boulevard and various reroof or AC change-outs) the magistrate likewise ordered time-limited compliance or the assessment of daily fines.

In procedural exchanges, inspectors and property representatives described attempts to secure contractors and paperwork. Joel Smith, a City of Fort Pierce building inspector and investigator, presented multiple files and testified to inspection and plan-review statuses for the properties he handled.

The hearing record shows the city routinely recommends that violators be given time to obtain permits and bring work into compliance, with 30 days to appeal the magistrate's decisions noted in the record.

The magistrate closed the docket after reading the city's notice-of-hearing and service procedures; the hearing was then adjourned.