Delray Beach magistrate sets compliance deadlines and fines across nine code-enforcement cases

The City of Delray Beach Special Magistrate hearing on May 21, 2026 resulted in a series of compliance deadlines and daily fines for multiple properties found in violation of local codes.

The magistrate opened the quasi‑judicial session by swearing in potential witnesses and then moved through nine code cases. For 5195 Northwest 6 Street (Blavet and Marie R. Bellamy), the magistrate found an addition had been constructed without permits and ordered the property to be brought into compliance by June 20, 2026, or face a daily fine of up to $100. Code enforcement officer Shantel Jean‑Baptiste introduced seven photographs and confirmed service and posting in April 2026.

At 3320 Boulevard Chatelaine (Fekal/Fekau Exantus), the property owners acknowledged starting an addition without permits. After asking for extra time, Ishmael Exantus and Fekau Exantus were granted 60 days to obtain permits and come into compliance, with a July 20, 2026 date‑certain and an alternative $100 daily fine.

Rainberry Woods Homeowners Association (551 Northwest 47th Avenue) faced a sanitary violation involving stagnant pool water and debris. The city asked for 14 days, but the magistrate ordered 30 days (until June 20, 2026) to drain the pools, remove debris, pressure‑clean and secure the pool area; the penalty on noncompliance was set at up to $250 per day. Property manager Michael Antonovich said contractors were on site but lacked power to pump water.

Other orders included: 60 days (until July 20) for 305 Southwest 7th Avenue (P.R. Borrower 27 LLC / Progress Residential) to remedy cited violations; 30 days (until June 20) for 217 Southwest 7th Avenue (Rodrigo N. Camacho) to resolve unpermitted window installations (a permit application was on file); seven days (until May 28) to post property numbers at 125 Southwest 13th Avenue or face $50/day (fire department safety concern); and a lien of $2,300 plus a continued $100/day running fine for 240 Northwest 8th Avenue (Power Group of Companies Corp.) for unsecured structures and overgrown landscape.

The magistrate took a more involved approach on a longstanding noncompliance matter at 10 North Swinton Avenue, a property located in the Old School Square Historic District. Historic‑preservation staff documented ongoing maintenance deficits (missing glass, boarded windows, tarps over roofs and open gables). The city reported an accrued running fine calculated at roughly $74,000; the receiver's counsel and the receiver's representative said many corrective steps and permit filings had been made. The magistrate reduced and stayed part of the running fine, set conditional dates for compliance and payment, and continued the noncompliance hearing to June 18 to allow city staff and the receivership team to clarify in writing the precise repairs and permitting steps required.

The magistrate emphasized that compliance can mean obtaining required permits or completing corrective work and repeatedly urged respondents to coordinate with city staff to clarify next steps. Where permit applications were on file, the magistrate considered that when setting deadlines. The hearing concluded after the orders were read and confirmed.