Magistrate orders repairs at 419 S. 6th St., gives phased deadlines and fines

Magistrate Harrison Poole found on July 2 that the property at 419 South 6th Street, listed to the Ruby D. White Estate (care of Tabitha Peterson), is in violation of Fernandina Beach property‑maintenance codes and ordered phased repairs and deadlines.

The magistrate said there was "substantial and competent evidence" supporting violations of city code sections cited as 42‑1‑117 (subsections a, b, e and f) and set an initial deadline of Aug. 1, 2026 to seal visible penetrations in the building’s exterior and a full compliance date of Sept. 24, 2026. Administrative costs of $241.60 were awarded to the city and fines will begin accruing at $50 per day starting Sept. 25 if compliance is not achieved, the magistrate said.

Crystal Rimes, the city’s code enforcement officer, presented photographs and an inspection timeline showing the property had been inspected repeatedly since April 2025 and that the case "has been in violation for 400 days." She described deteriorated trim and roof components, peeling paint, visible openings in exterior walls and eight reinspections, and told the magistrate the city recommended an order requiring repair and daily fines.

Tabitha Peterson, who identified herself as the respondent, said she had worked on earlier cited items but that the newly cited exterior structural repairs surfaced after overgrowth was removed. "I would need at least 2 to 3 months to figure out a financial way to pay for this," Peterson said, adding she had obtained a contractor estimate "about $30,000" and had located a handyman willing to perform interim repairs to seal openings while she seeks funding.

Magistrate Poole acknowledged those efforts and told Peterson that interim sealing of penetrations would be important. The magistrate said a reappearance could be ordered at a future hearing if work is in progress but not complete; he also said a written order consistent with the pronouncement will be issued.

The city was directed to recover administrative costs, and the magistrate noted that the cost award could increase if additional meetings or inspections are required. Peterson was advised to remain in contact with Rimes’ office and to present evidence of progress at the scheduled update hearing in late September.

The magistrate closed the record on the matter for the day and said the written order will be entered next week.