(A) (1) Criminal penalties. A violation of § 72.09 shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor and shall subject the offender to a fine of up to $500.
(2) Civil penalties. Except as provided at division (A) of this section, a violation of this chapter is a civil violation only, shall not constitute a criminal offense as otherwise provided per G.S. 14-4, and is subject to the general provisions of § 10.99 of this code. Provided, however, that the following civil penalties shall apply to the following violations:
(a) Any violation of any provision of § 72.01(A)(6) through (A)(8) of this chapter shall subject the violator to a penalty of $12.
(b) Any violation of any provision of § 72.01(A)(1) through (A)(5) or (A)(9) through (A)(17) shall subject the violator to a penalty of $20.
(c) Any violation of § 72.01(A)(18)(unlawful parking in handicapped spaces) shall subject the violator to a penalty of $100.
(B) Civil penalties are imposed pursuant to this chapter in order to help fund the town's enforcement of its traffic and parking regulations for the benefit of the town's residents, businesses and visitors, and not to punish violators. All civil penalties imposed pursuant to this division (B) and paid to the town as herein provided shall be paid into the general fund of the town and used to fund the town's traffic and parking enforcement operations.
(Ord. passed 12-16-2019; Ord. passed 4-15-2021)