(a) Misdemeanor penalty. Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding one year, or by both. Upon any second or subsequent conviction of the offense, the person shall be punished by the penalties of a fine of $1,000 and by imprisonment in the County jail for one year. The City Attorney, in his or her sound discretion, may prosecute a violation of this Chapter as an infraction, rather than a misdemeanor, or reduce or agree to the reduction of a previously filed misdemeanor to an infraction. Any person convicted of an infraction under this Code shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 for the first violation, a fine not exceeding $200 for a second violation within one year, and a fine not exceeding $500 for a third violation within one year. A fourth violation of this Code within one year shall be charged as a misdemeanor and may not be reduced to an infraction.
(b) State penalties apply. Nothing in this Chapter shall be intended to limit any of the penalties provided for under California law, including but not limited to the Penal Code, with regard to the sale, use, possession, delivery, and/or receipt of catalytic converters.
(c) Administrative citations. In addition to any other penalties provided by law, whenever an Enforcement Officer determines a violation of this Chapter has occurred, the Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to issue an administrative citation in the manner described in Chapter 11.26 of this Code.
(Ord. 238, passed 12-13-2023)