§ 151.99 PENALTY.
   (A)    Any failure to comply with an applicable requirement, prohibition, standard, or limitation imposed by this chapter, including violation of conditions and safeguards established in connection with grants of variance or special exceptions, is unlawful and shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
      (1)   Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter, for which no other penalty is provided, or failing or neglecting or refusing to comply with same, shall be subject to a civil penalty as follows after the given time to correct expires, or after the first ten calendar days following the notice of violation where not otherwise specified.
         (a)   Any violation occurring once within a 12-month period shall be considered a first offense, and the violator shall be subject to a civil penalty of $100 for each day that the violation remains on the property.
         (b)   Any violation reoccurring on the same property by the same violator more than once within a 24-month period shall be considered a repeat offense provided the reoccurrence is a violation of the same section of this chapter. A notice of violation shall be issued by the Administrator and shall have an immediate civil penalty of $300.
      (2)   Each day that a violation continues after a person has been notified that such a violation exists, and that he or she is subject to the penalty specified in division (a), shall constitute a separate offense once the time to correct has expired.
      (3)   The violator shall contact Town Hall for a re-inspection once the violation is remedied in order to stop the accrual of civil penalties. This penalty may be recovered by the town in a civil action in the nature of debt if the violation persists 30 days after the violator(s) have been cited for violation of the ordinance, or if a balance remains unpaid after a final invoice is mailed.
   (B)   This chapter may also be enforced by any appropriate equitable action, including but not limited to injunctions or orders of abatement.
   (C)   The town may enforce this chapter by any one or any combination of the foregoing remedies.
   (D)   Violations of the provisions of this chapter shall not be considered a misdemeanor pursuant to G.S. § 14-4.
(Ord. passed 9-28-2007; Am. Ord. passed - - )