A surprise code enforcement notice on the door of a former roadside motel has thrown life into chaos for dozens of Callahan residents, as Nassau County moves to clear out a small U.S. 1 apartment complex over fire-safety and occupancy violations.
Notice on the door and a fast-moving hearing
The county vacate notice, addressed to North Coast Apartments LLC, warns that residents could be forced to leave while violations are fixed, with a public hearing scheduled for Thursday in Nassau County. Tenants say they were blindsided. Molly Morton told reporters her two-bedroom runs about $1,300 a month and is still cheaper than Jacksonville, while Kaylyn Carrafa said she had to pack up after sewer and drainage problems in her unit.
News crews also saw visible mold and makeshift air-conditioning repairs inside some apartments as families scrambled to line up other options, according to News4JAX.
Property details and ownership
Public property records list North Coast Apartments LLC as the owner of the site at 545740 U.S. Highway 1 in Callahan, according to the Nassau County property appraiser's tax record, linked through Nassau County. Commercial real-estate listings describe the property as a 12-unit complex marketed as North Coast Apartments and show the parcel zoned commercial general, per Crexi.
Landlord and county response
The landlord told reporters he bought the property believing he was purchasing a multifamily apartment complex, and that the enforcement notices came as a surprise. Nassau County confirmed to News4JAX that the site is officially designated as a motel and must be upgraded to meet safety requirements. The owner also said he will refund security deposits if the violations cannot be corrected, as reported by News4JAX.
What this means for tenants
The county notice could mean an abrupt loss of housing for renters who rely on the complex's lower-cost units. Under Florida Statutes §83.51, landlords must comply with building, housing and health codes, and Florida law implies a basic warranty of habitability. Tenants who believe their units are unsafe may have legal remedies after giving proper written notice.
For help with paperwork, eviction defense and housing questions, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, which serves Nassau County, offers self-help materials and intake for legal assistance, according to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.
The hearing and the housing crunch
At Thursday's public hearing, county officials will decide whether the complex must be vacated while repairs are made or whether the owner will get time to bring the buildings up to code while tenants remain. Residents say they plan to show up and are hoping the county can point them toward temporary housing options. Until then, many are racing the clock to figure out where to go next.
