Hearing officer orders Walton County property at 36 Ann Street West into compliance within 60 days

A Walton County hearing officer ordered that the property at 36 Ann Street West in unincorporated Walton County be brought into compliance with the Walton County Land Development Code within 60 days and warned a $250-per-day fine would be imposed if the deadline is missed.

Officer Harold Serrano of Walton County Code Compliance presented testimony and submitted a packet of evidence in case 2600173, saying inspections beginning March 17 showed additional accessory structures — two sheds and a carport — that were not authorized by permits. "I was able to verify in the system that there was an active planning application submitted on 04/06/2026 and waiting to be assigned a planning technician," Serrano said, and he confirmed building-department records showed only the mobile home had been permitted for the site.

During the hearing the respondent’s daughter, who served as translator, told the officer and the hearing officer they wanted to "see our options" and were prepared to pursue permits or remove structures if necessary. The hearing officer acknowledged the family’s travel constraints and, after discussion, said he would grant additional time beyond the county’s recommendation. He then announced his findings: the property violated provisions addressing development approvals, building permits and building setbacks, and he ordered compliance within 60 days. "In the event the property is not brought into compliance on or before September 28, a $250 per day fine will be imposed," he said, and required payment of a $122 administrative fee.

The hearing officer advised the respondents to meet with the planning department to provide site plans and measurements to determine whether structures sit inside setback lines and whether after-the-fact permits are available for the carport. He noted that if the respondents begin the permitting process but run past the deadline they may request a fine reduction, and he signed the order at the hearing.

The case is recorded as Walton County Code Compliance case 2600173; the order sets a compliance deadline of September 28 and establishes monetary penalties for failure to comply.