West Palm Beach magistrate gives owners months to fix code violations, orders fines for noncompliance

Special Magistrate Amity Barnard on June 3 ordered multiple West Palm Beach property owners to remedy code violations or face daily fines.

The hearing began with the city presenting evidence in a string of enforcement cases. In one of the first matters, the magistrate found the owners of 3333 North Flagler Drive in violation for a gravel driveway and an unpermitted paved apron on city property, citing sections 94-485-e and 78-31. City witnesses recommended 365 days for compliance; respondents Christopher Victor and Ezra Safold agreed to that timeframe. "You're getting a year to comply," Barnard told the respondents, adding that a $100-a-day fine will run after day 365 if the violations continue.

In another case, the city presented photos and an arborist assessment showing severe pruning of an oak at 418 34th Street. Owner Miam Obas said she hired a landscaper and did not intend damage. The magistrate found a violation of section 94-446-2-C (tree abuse) and assessed a one-time fine of $250 while stopping short of ordering removal, recommending an arborist mitigation plan.

At 1481 7th Street, code officer K.T. Weaver outlined a long list of outstanding violations—paint, outdoor storage, pool repair, exterior and landscape issues and parking on unpaved areas—citing multiple code sections. Owner Donald Gibson told the magistrate he is actively working on many items; Barnard granted 60 days to comply or a $100-per-day fine thereafter and reminded him to request a reinspection once work is complete.

Across dozens of contested addresses, the city entered photographs and notices into evidence and the magistrate issued compliance orders with deadlines ranging from 10 to 365 days and specified fines for ongoing noncompliance. Common problems included missing sod or landscaping in swales and parkways, unpermitted driveways or aprons on public right-of-way, repeat parking-on-unpaved-area violations, and expired business licenses or certificates of use.

Magistrate Barnard routinely noted service and posting in the case files before issuing orders; where owners were present she heard mitigation or compliance plans and adjusted deadlines consistent with city requests.

What happens next: respondents must complete corrective work within the ordered time frames and contact code officers to request reinspections. Daily fines begin after the deadlines the magistrate set. The city will issue written orders reflecting each decision.

Speakers quoted: "You're getting a year to comply," Barnard told the owners of 3333 North Flagler Drive; "You may have a discussion with [your landscaper] because this is not the correct way to prune a tree," she told the owner of 418 34th Street.

The hearing covered dozens of additional properties; the magistrate adjourned the contested docket and later reconvened to hear mitigation requests on previously recorded liens.