(A) Civil penalty. Any person cited for a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty in the amount of $200 per day of non-compliance from and after the date of citation until the property is brought into compliance with this chapter. The penalty may be recovered by the town in a civil action in the nature of a debt if the person who has been assessed a civil penalty does not pay the same within 30 days after first being cited by the public officer for a violation of this chapter. The penalties assessed for continuing violations constituting a separate and distinct offense may be aggregated and collected in one action.
(B) Misdemeanor; fine. Except as specifically set out herein to the contrary, the violation of this chapter is a Class 3 misdemeanor as set out in G.S. §§ 14-4 and 160A-175 to the extent the violation relates to an unsafe building. The maximum fine for a violation of this chapter is $500.
(C) Equitable relief; abatement. This chapter may be enforced by an appropriate equitable remedy issued from a court of competent jurisdiction as set out in G.S. § 160A-175. The town may apply to the appropriate division of the general court of justice for mandatory or prohibitory injunction and order of abatement commanding the defendant(s) to correct the unlawful condition upon, or cease the unlawful use of, the property.
(D) Continuing violation. Each day’s continuing violation of any provision of this chapter shall be a separate and distinct offense.
(Prior Code, § 1629) (Ord. 22-01-01, passed 1-6-2022)