Florida Grandma Faces $40k Fines and Must Tear Down Treehouse Home: Safety Concerns Raised
A Florida grandmother is being forced to dismantle the treehouse she has called home for nearly two decades following hefty fines amounting to $40,000. Shawnee Chasser, aged 72, has resided on her North Miami property for 17 years, where she constructed a fully-equipped treehouse complete with a kitchen and living room on the ground. However, concerns have been raised over code violations and worries regarding safety, leading to legal action being taken against her.
Chasser initially purchased the property for her son, but when he passed away, she moved into the unique treehouse. CBS News Miami reports that while Chasser has embraced the outdoor lifestyle, her neighbors were less than thrilled. In 2015, they reported her property to the Miami-Dade County and the Building Code Enforcement Department.
Upon inspection, authorities deemed the treehouse unfit for habitation and ordered Chasser to either demolish it or bring it up to code. She received fines totaling $11,320.00 and $11,481.50 in a single day for violating Chapter 33 of Florida law (zoning) and engaging in unauthorized use within a single-family residential district, according to a GoFundMe page created to support Chasser.
Unfortunately, Chasser did not comply with the orders, resulting in her accumulating approximately $40,000 in fines from the county over the course of eight years. The mounting penalties have taken a toll on her well-being, as she admits to constantly worrying about the situation and losing sleep over it. Despite this, she has continued to add to her property over time, including her original bedroom in the tree, a kitchen, living room, pool, water fountain, and a new bedroom inside a Tiki hut constructed just last year.
However, Chasser has recently decided to give up the fight and begin the process of dismantling the structures on her property, which she commenced on September 18. Expressing her desire for peace, she explained, I’m not a fighter, you know? I fought against the Vietnam War. I’m done fighting, and I just want peace.
While relocating indoors is not an option for Chasser, she insists on maintaining her close connection with the earth and living according to her beliefs. The GoFundMe page highlights her unique lifestyle choice, stating, A person should not be punished for this way of living; it should be celebrated. Chasser plans to remain outdoors but intends to construct a new dwelling that adheres to code, which will come at a cost of $30,000 along with additional expenses she has already incurred.
It is worth noting that Miami-Dade County has not taken any immediate action to tear down the treehouse and is working towards finding a resolution that brings the property up to code.
