Magistrate grants 90 days, contingent on demolition permit, for unfit accessory structure at 2026 Henson Avenue

A Bay County special magistrate on July 9 found violations of Bay County Code §17-2 at 2026 Henson Avenue in unincorporated Panama City Beach and ordered the property brought into compliance within 90 days contingent on securing a demolition permit.

Investigators Tony Burney and Scott Thorpe presented inspection photographs and a timeline of notices and permits. Burney testified the case file includes multiple derelict vehicles, unpermitted additions, construction debris, appliances and junk. Thorpe described collapsed roofing, board-up conditions and electrical hazards associated with several accessory structures and recreational vehicles.

Attorney Andy Weddle, representing owner Sonny Patel, said Patel has been cooperative, has a topographic survey and an engineering contract under way and asked the magistrate for 120 days so demolition could be incorporated into redevelopment site work. Weddle said the owner intends to redevelop the parcel into duplexes.

Magistrate Bill Lewis said inspections and exhibits established a violation but narrowed the current order to a single unfit accessory structure. Lewis granted a 90-day compliance period on condition that the owner obtain a demolition permit; he said a permit application would “put the brakes on things” while the work proceeds, and that failure to secure or act under the permit would be deemed noncompliance. Lewis reduced a potential fine in mitigation language and warned that unpaid fines would become liens on real and personal property in Bay County.

The magistrate set a compliance hearing for Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. and instructed the respondent to keep code enforcement informed of progress. If the demolition permit is not secured within the period, Lewis said fines and county abatement remain possible.