Magistrate authorizes abatements, fines and contractor entry across multiple Bay County code‑enforcement cases

The presiding magistrate at a Bay County special magistrate hearing on July 13, 2026, found multiple properties out of compliance with county code, authorized county staff or contractors to enter specified lots to remove junk, derelict vehicles and unsafe structures, and set follow‑up hearings or fines to determine abatement costs.

Why it matters: The magistrate’s orders give Bay County the authority to remove hazards and recover abatement costs as liens on property, a step that can clear public right‑of‑way obstructions, address safety hazards at occupied lots and enforce local land‑clearing and building permit requirements.

The hearing covered several separate enforcement matters. For 4109 and 4111 Marvin Street in Panama City Beach, Administrative Inspector Scott Thorpe testified that permits had been completed and a certificate of occupancy issued; the magistrate found those properties brought into compliance and closed that case. For other addresses — including 5015 Orange Avenue, 8211 B South Lagoon Drive and related units at 11131 Siemens Lane, 12432 Highway 2301, 537 Coronado Place and 6305 Highway 79 — county investigators presented photographs and inspection reports showing remaining junk, derelict vehicles, unsafe decks or unpermitted land clearing. The magistrate repeatedly found the properties in violation and, in most cases, authorized code enforcement or county‑hired contractors to enter the premises to abate the violations if owners did not comply.

Inspector testimony and respondents’ responses: Bay County investigators entered photographic exhibits and described debris, trailers in the right of way, derelict vehicles, overgrowth and unfit accessory structures. Investigator Chris Hubbard said the parcel at 5015 Orange Avenue still showed scattered personal property and trailers and that the magistrate’s prior order had given the owner time to comply. Resident Daniel R. Ott told the magistrate, “I’m gonna work on it. Definitely,” and said some trailers had been removed. Realtor Theresa Dyer said an architect’s report and drawings for 8211 B South Lagoon Drive had been delivered and that the contractor was seeking permits and bids; she said the contractor had completed roofing work and was preparing structural repairs. Linda Carol Trench, who identified herself as a neighbor or interested party for the parcel involving 11131 Siemens Lane, said the property was improving and that grass was now being cut regularly.

Orders, fines and next steps: Where respondents had not cured violations, the magistrate authorized county entry to remove junk, derelict vehicles, unfit mobile homes and unsafe accessory structures, and noted that abatement costs and fines would be assessed at a later final hearing and could become liens under the Uniform Assessment Collection Act and Chapter 21 of the Bay County code. On 6305 Highway 79 the magistrate imposed an initial fine of $200 and daily fines of $25 starting June 22 for unpermitted land clearing and said the fines would continue until a land‑disturbance permit is issued and a final hearing addresses the total fine. For at least one property the magistrate scheduled a follow‑up review on August 13 to review engineer drawings, permit progress and potential compliance.

What was not decided: The magistrate’s orders generally authorized abatement and set fines or follow‑up hearings but did not yet set final abatement costs or exact lien amounts; those figures will be entered at separate final hearings. In several cases staff said no engineering applications or permits had been filed as of the July inspection date.

The hearing was adjourned after the magistrate closed the docket for those present; several matters were left for follow‑up inspections or a future compliance hearing to finalize costs and lien entries.