Failure to correct the zoning violation shall result in the city pursuing enforcement action following notification to the property owner, with the city having the authority to carry out the following enforcement remedies:
(A) Withhold permits. The city shall have the authority to withhold or deny any and all permits or city approvals until the violation is corrected to the satisfaction of the city.
(B) Stop work order. The city shall have the authority to issue a stop work order on the property in violation.
(C) Abatement. The city shall have the authority to require that the violation be abated by completely removing or stopping the item or use which has been identified in the zoning violation notice. Abatement action by the city shall not proceed until after a hearing before the City Council.
(D) Injunctive relief. The city shall have the authority to seek an injunction in court to stop any violation of this title.
(E) Civil remedies. The city shall have the authority to institute appropriate civil action including injunctive and other equitable processes to enforce the provisions of this title and at the discretion of the civil court, shall recover reasonable court costs and attorney’s fees that are incurred due to the enforcement of the subject violation.
(F) Assessment. The city shall have the authority to use the provisions of M.S. Chapter 429, as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time, to assess charges against any property in violation of any of the provisions of this title and any such assessment shall, at the time at which taxes are certified to the County Auditor, be certified for collection in the manner that other special assessments are so certified.
(G) Criminal remedies. The city shall have the authority to institute appropriate misdemeanor action or misdemeanor criminal action for a violation of this title. All violations not otherwise noted shall be petty misdemeanors with a fine not to exceed $300 per violation. All violations specifically noted as misdemeanors shall, upon conviction, be punished by fine or imprisonment pursuant to state law definitions of a misdemeanor in effect upon the date of conviction.
(H) Cumulative remedies. The powers and remedies of this chapter shall not be individually limited and are not exclusive. Failure to exercise any remedy shall not be a waiver of that remedy.
(Ord. 2011-06-07A, passed 6-7-2011)