Chair Tiffany Serta gives owner 24 hours to disconnect RV utilities; magistrate accepts multiple Bay County code-enforcement recommendations

Chair Tiffany Serta ordered a property owner to disconnect the utilities on a recreational vehicle and accepted multiple code-enforcement recommendations during a Bay County special-magistrate hearing on June 12, 2026. The chair also held fines pending verification that the RV is no longer being used as living space.

The most urgent matter involved code enforcement case 20251644 at 6031 Jamie Road. Code enforcement reported that the property contained an occupied recreational vehicle and an unfit accessory structure and introduced prior magistrate orders and inspection photos. Catherine Ashwin, Bay County code enforcement manager, summarized the timeline: notices and prior orders were issued, a demolition permit was obtained on May 18, 2026 (expires Nov. 18, 2026), but the June 8 reinspection still showed the RV connected to septic and power.

"It is our recommendation that the magistrate determine the respondent has complied with the demolition-permit requirement but has not complied with the order regarding living in the RV," Ashwin said, describing the magistrate's earlier order and the potential for fines and liens if noncompliant.

Resident Greg Davis, who identified himself as living at 6031 Jamie Road, told the magistrate that storage pods arrived recently and that he planned to move shop equipment out and demolish the accessory structure. "We just got storage pods in Tuesday," Davis said. He added that he had been sleeping on the house couch, not in the RV.

The chair pressed on the indicators of habitation, including septic and electrical connections and slide-outs. Davis said he could unhook the septic and power and have a neighbor help to retract or secure the slide-outs. "I can have that unhooked today," he said.

To address the immediate concern, Serta directed Davis to supply code enforcement with evidence within 24 hours that the RV's power and septic had been disconnected so there would be no appearance of living in the RV. "You have 24 hours from today to get the power removed, the septic tank shut off," Serta said. Code enforcement agreed to verify the condition by reinspection and updated photographs; the magistrate said she would hold any fines and fees pending the compliance check at the property's next appearance.

The hearing also covered several additional cases:

- 19420 Alta Vista Drive (case 20261010): Ashwin described repeat overgrowth violations in the Laguna Beach area and recommended five days to cut grass and weeds; an initial $500 fine and a $100 daily fine after day five (for up to 25 days) were proposed if the owner fails to comply. A compliance hearing was scheduled for July 17 at 1:00 p.m.

- 8613 Houston Street (case 20261131): Code enforcement presented a repeat violation for junk, trash and unscreened personal property; appraiser and tax records showed 2025 taxes delinquent. The magistrate set five days for compliance with an initial $300 fine and $50 daily after day five; the chair accepted the recommendation.

- 2001 Twin Oaks Drive (case 20260287): Code enforcement reported the removal of traction equipment and asked the magistrate to find compliance; the chair found the property in compliance and closed the case.

- 2312 Mound Avenue (case 20251947): After required buffer work following a rezoning, code enforcement reported the property was in compliance and the chair closed the matter.

- 20802 Highway 231 (case 20251972): At a final hearing code enforcement recommended collection of abatement costs and a magistrate fine; the record showed the county contracted abatement at $1,210 and the magistrate had imposed a $1,000 fine plus statutory interest. The chair accepted the recommendation; costs and fines will be recorded and may become liens if unpaid.

The chair closed the session at 9:38 a.m., noting two properties had been voluntarily brought into compliance and reminding participants of the next scheduled hearing. Several cases were set for follow-up inspections or compliance hearings, and code enforcement will file updated photos and findings as they verify compliance.

Provenance: Proceedings and quotes above are based on the Bay County code-enforcement hearing transcript (June 12, 2026).