Building a backyard guesthouse, pool and pickleball court seemed like straightforward upgrades for one Florida homeowner, but it turned into a nearly five-year fight that landed him behind bars, according to WFLA (1).
Michael Martin, a 62-year-old South Tampa businessman, who received city permits for a luxury two-storey guest house, pool and pickleball court on his property, was arrested on April 20 for contempt after refusing to comply with a court order to tear everything down, according to a report from FOX13. (2) Martin held off on demolition because he had appealed the court ruling and was waiting to learn the outcome.
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But if he had the permits, how did he end up in jail?
When permits aren’t enough
Martin began construction on the upscale backyard project at his Beach Park home in 2021 after receiving approval from the city of Tampa. The upgrades he made added up to a project his legal team said cost roughly $1 million. (3)
“I felt pretty strongly that I was in a position of strength because I went and did everything that I was directed to do. At the very beginning of it, I got an expert to submit to the city, and then the city had their most tenured person approve it,” Martin told FOX13, “So, I felt extremely confident that this was not going to result in where I am today.”…