(A) It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dwelling or dwelling unit to fail, neglect or refuse to repair, alter or improve the same, or to vacate and close and remove or demolish the same, upon order of the Inspector duly made and served as herein provided, within the time specified in the order. Each day that any failure, neglect or refusal to comply with the order continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
(B) It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dwelling or dwelling unit, with respect to which an order has been issued pursuant to § 151.32 of this chapter to occupy or permit the occupancy of the same after the time prescribed in the order for its repair, alteration or improvement or its vacation and closing. Each day that the occupancy continues after the prescribed time shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
(1) Any violation of any provision of this chapter shall subject the owner of any dwelling or dwelling unit to a civil penalty in the sum of $50 per day.
(2) A citation for the civil penalty for violation of any provision of this chapter shall be issued by the Town Manager.
(3) Each citation for a civil penalty must be paid within 72 hours of issuance.
(4) Each and every day that the owner of any dwelling or dwelling unit violates any provision of this chapter shall be a separate and distinct offense.
(C) The violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor as provided by G.S. § 14-4.
(D) In addition to the penalty established by division (C) of this section, and the remedies provided by other provisions of this chapter, this chapter may be enforced by an appropriate equitable remedy issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(Prior Code, § 151.99) (Ord. passed 9-8-1994)