Magistrate orders Turner to make pool operable or face daily fines

A Seminole County magistrate found homeowner Jerry L. Turner in violation of Seminole County code chapter 95.5, section 3.0.3.1 for failing to keep his swimming pool in a clean, sanitary and operable condition and ordered the property into compliance by Jan. 13, 2027 or face a $150-per-day fine.

Code enforcement officer Katina Hill testified that the initial complaint was filed Oct. 29, 2025, that multiple follow-up inspections through 2026 showed the violation persisted, and that the county mailed a compliance schedule with a June 11, 2026 notice. Hill recommended 90 days to comply or a $150-per-day fine thereafter; she submitted photos and the digital case file into evidence. John Martin, manager of Seminole County code enforcement, and other county staff confirmed the property was secure but not maintained.

Turner and a co-occupant described ongoing repair efforts after a house fire. Turner said they were pursuing resurfacing rather than simply filling the pool, citing local water-table concerns and contractor delays: "We're trying to redo the surface, redo the pool and get it up and running," the respondent said. The magistrate discussed options — including filling and demolition permits — and emphasized the county's concern about recurring violations and future structural damage if repairs are delayed.

The magistrate's order conditions the extended compliance period on the pool remaining secured, dry and empty; if the property is not brought into compliance by the deadline, the $150-per-day penalty will begin accruing. The officer's recommended evidence and electronic case file were accepted into the record.