“I Followed Every Rule—Now They Want Me to Tear It Down.”

📍 A Wakulla Reports reader shares her exhausting journey through the Building Department and Planning & Zoning. This is her story—and she’s asked us to share it with you.

🕰️ Timeline of Frustration

2021 – She buys a property with an existing structure dating back to the 1980s. It had hurricane damage—missing roof, partial wall—but she’s determined to restore it.

2022–2023 – She saves up, gets an engineering report, orders trusses, and secures a roofing permit.

🔁 Delay in manpower leads her to request an extension. She’s told her file was “screwed up” and bounced between departments.

2023 – Roof is completed and passes inspection. She asks what’s next.

🖥️ Staff can’t find the structure on satellite view. She’s told to submit a site plan.

📐 An architect tells her not to waste money—Wakulla accepts hand-drawn plans. She submits three.

Mid-2023 – Still no progress. She discovers the Property Appraiser removed the structure from their records the year she bought it—without notice.

🚗 She visits in person. A staffer promises to “ride over and call her.” That call never comes.

Late 2023 – She’s told she needs a new flood survey—only of the garage.

🌀 No one mentioned flood vents. She installs them, gets a second survey, and returns.

Early 2024 – She’s told she now needs electric, door, and window permits.

⚡ Anytime Electric inspects and says no permit is needed—she’s up to code.

Mid-2024 – She requests the remaining permits.

📞 Hours later, she gets a call: “We can’t issue any more permits. Your structure is too big.”

She’s told to tear it down.

💬 Her Words…………..

“In 2021, I bought a property with an existing structure that had stood since at least the 1980s. It had been damaged by a hurricane years ago, and two previous owners had left it untouched. Determined to restore it properly, I spent the next few years saving up enough money to begin repairs. The roof was missing, part of the front wall was gone—but I was ready to rebuild.

I started by doing things the right way. I went to the Building Department and got a roofing permit with no issues. I had an engineering report, ordered trusses, and was excited to begin. But finding manpower took longer than expected, so I returned to renew my permit. That’s when Naomi told me she had “screwed up” my file and sent me next door to Planning & Zoning to speak with Susanne. Susanne tried to locate the structure via satellite but couldn’t see it under the trees. I explained the canopy blocked the view, and she sent me back to get the extension. I did.

Once I saved up again, I ordered metal roofing and completed the roof. After passing inspection, I asked what came next. I was sent back to Susanne at Planning & Zoning, who again couldn’t find the structure on her computer. I finally said, “Do you really think I’m paying for permits and buying supplies for something that isn’t there?” After a long pause, I was told I needed a site plan. It took weeks to reach an architect, who told me not to waste money—Wakulla accepts hand-drawn plans. I submitted three.

I was ready to move forward, excited again. But Susanne still couldn’t find the structure. I left in tears. At home, I checked the Property Appraiser’s website and discovered the structure had been removed from their records the same year I bought the property. I went to their office and asked for it to be reinstated. I asked why it was removed and why I wasn’t notified. I got no answers. A staffer said he’d “ride over and call me.” That call never came.

Back at the Building Department, I was told I needed a flood survey. I had one at home, but Susanne at Planning & Zoning said it had to be new and only of the garage. I ordered a new survey. When I returned, Susanne asked, “Where are your flood vents?” No one had mentioned flood vents. I left in tears again. My son called the inspector to get the specs. It took nearly a month to install the vents and get another survey.

Finally, I returned with the updated flood survey and asked, “What else do I need to wrap this up?” I was told I needed electric, door, and window permits. I hadn’t done any electrical work, so I called Anytime Electric to inspect the setup. They said I was up to code and didn’t need a permit.

I went back to get the door and window permit. Naomi handed my file to another employee, who called me later with news that floored me: “We can’t issue any more permits. The structure is too big.” I was told it had to be no larger than 600 square feet. I was in disbelief. I asked what I should do. I was told to knock down walls or divide the building into smaller rooms.

Since day one, the Building Department and Planning & Zoning have known the size of this structure. I even tracked down the previous owners to confirm its history. I’ve spent thousands on materials and hundreds on permits, following every instruction. Now they want me to tear it down.

I haven’t returned since late 2024. I’m exhausted, disheartened, and deeply frustrated. I may be elderly, but I’m not stupid. Something is very wrong with these departments.”

📣 This is why transparency matters. This is why we document.

If you’ve had similar experiences—or want to help fix this—comment below or message Wakulla Reports.