Owners appeal $45K fines for hosting weddings, parties at Coral Springs rental
Two homeowners are appealing $45,000 in fines from the City of Coral Springs over a wedding and other events hosted at their home, marketed as the Lotus Mansion.
According to special magistrate orders, the owners are accused of violating parking regulations and exceeding capacity limits by hosting events for profit at the vacation rental at 4080 NW 100th Ave.
The Coral Springs land development code says it’s “unlawful for any person to engage in any commerical or non-residential activity at a vacation rental.”
City officials said the owners rented out the property for celebrations in November and December, exceeding the occupancy for a home of the size and creating parking issues on multiple dates when guests’ cars didn’t fit in the driveway.
One of the property owners unsuccessfully argued against the imposition of the fines during a special magistrate hearing Jan. 29, but now, the homeowners have appealed final orders on five cases to the 17th Judicial Circuit court, which encompasses Broward County.
The pair’s attorney, Michael Garcia, told the Coral Springs News on March 9 that he’s working on assembling documents arguing the reason for the appeal, which was filed Feb. 23. He said he couldn’t disclose more details until the case had progressed further.
At the January special magistrate hearing, the owners were confronted with several violations brought against them by city staff.
On Nov. 9 and Nov. 22, the owners received $10,000 total in violations for parking issues, documents show. Then on Dec. 7, they’re accused of hosting a wedding and breaking parking and occupancy rules, resulting in a $15,000 fine.
In one case on Nov. 29, the city said the owners hosted a wedding, and multiple vehicles were parked on the grass and the street in violation of city code, which constituted $10,000 worth of fines.
Then on Dec. 20, the owners reportedly rented out the home for an extra $500 for a birthday party, and three vehicles were parked along the road in violation of city ordinance, documents show.
The party cost the homeowners $10,000 across two fines for violating vacation rentals rules. The special magistrate also recommended banning the owners from renting out the property for six months.
A website for the home, described as the Lotus Mansion, lists it as a luxurious getaway on 1.25 acres in Coral Springs, with a 12-person maximum occupancy. But an old YouTube video saved by CoralSprings.com boasts that the backyard can fit 80 people, making the space perfect for a wedding.
The pair purchased the home in 2022 for $1.253 million, but reportedly they reside full-time at another property in Coral Springs they purchased in 2017.