(A) Civil penalty. Any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other legal entity found guilty of a civil violation of this chapter shall be subject to penalties. A first offense violation shall be assessed a civil penalty of $250. A second offense violation shall be assessed a civil penalty of $750. A third and subsequent violation shall be assessed a civil penalty of $1,000. Each day that a violation of the code of ordinances occurs and/or is permitted to exist constitutes a separate offense. Seeking a civil penalty as authorized in this chapter does not preclude the city from seeking alternative relief from the court in the same action. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the filing and prosecution of a criminal complaint for violation of either the code of ordinances for the city or for violation of Iowa Code Chapter 657. The process of filing and prosecution of a criminal complaint and the civil municipal infraction or citation process shall not be mutually exclusive remedies.
(B) Administrative penalties. In addition to or in lieu of criminal prosecution or municipal infraction and civil penalties proceeding, any body, department, agency, or official of the city which has issued a permit, license, certificate, registration, or other authorization to a person, firm, partnership, corporation or other legal entity keeping, allowing, or maintaining a nuisance, as defined by the code of ordinances, may administratively suspend or revoke said permit, license certificate, registration, or other authorization.
(1) In the matter of any permits, license, certificate, registration, or other authorization for which there is a specific suspension or revocation process set forth in the code of ordinances, then the suspension or revocation shall follow that specified process, including the specified appeals process.
(2) In the matter of all permits, licenses, certificates, registrations, or other authorizations for which there is no specified process for suspension or revocation set forth elsewhere in the code of ordinances, the suspension or revocation shall be made by the same authority issuing the permit, license, certificate, registration, or other authorization. The appeal to any said suspension or revocation shall be as set forth in § 90.10 above.
(Ord. 2414, passed 7-13-2010; Ord. 2560, passed 12-12-2017)