(A) Authorization to issue administrative citation. Whenever an enforcement officer charged with enforcement of any provision of this code or any code adopted by the city determines that a violation of that provision has occurred, the enforcement officer shall have the authority to issue an administrative citation to any person responsible for the violation and/or to the owner of the property to which the violation pertains. If the code enforcement officer determines that multiple code violations have occurred, the administrative citation shall address all the violations.
(B) Notice of violation in lieu of administrative citation. If the violation consists of a violation of building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing or zoning regulations that does not create an immediate danger to health or safety, the enforcement officer may defer issuance of an administrative citation until the person responsible for a violation has first been given notice of the violation and an opportunity to correct the violation, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this subchapter.
(C) Administrative citations in lieu of criminal citations. An administrative citation may be issued pursuant to this section in lieu of any criminal citation, which could have been issued for the same violation. The issuance of the administrative citation shall not, however, prevent the issuance of a criminal citation or filing of a criminal complaint for:
(1) The same violation when any administrative fine imposed pursuant to this subchapter has not been paid by the date payment is due;
(2) A subsequent violation of the same nature; or
(3) A violation that creates, in the opinion of the enforcement officer, an immediate threat to the health or safety of any person or the public generally.
(D) Contents of administrative citation. Each administrative citation shall contain the following information:
(1) The date of the violation;
(2) The address or a definite description of the location where the violation occurred or is occurring;
(3) The section of this code which has been violated and a description of the violation;
(4) The amount of the administrative fine for each code violation;
(5) A description of the fine payment process, including the date upon which the fine is due and the place at which the fine shall be paid;
(6) An order prohibiting the continuation or repeated occurrence of the code violation described in the administrative citation;
(7) A description of the administrative citation review process, including the time within which the administrative citation may be contested and the manner in which review of the citation may be requested; and
(8) The name and signature of the citing enforcement officer.
(E) Service and filing of administrative citations. The enforcement officer shall serve the original citation on the person cited in the manner set forth in this subchapter and shall forward a copy of the administrative citation to the affected department and finance office.
(Ord. 638-C.S., passed 2-6-01)