(A) Violation.
(1) No person shall commence or proceed with development without first securing approval for the county under this chapter. It is unlawful and a violation of this chapter to establish, create, expand, alter, occupy or maintain any use, land development activity, or structure, including but not limited to buildings, that violates or is inconsistent with any provision of this chapter or any order, approval, or authorization issued pursuant to this chapter.
(2) Approvals and authorizations include, but are not limited to, special use permits, zoning permits, variances, site plans and conditions of such permits, certificates, variances and plans. It is also a violation to engage in any construction, land development activity, or use without all approvals and authorizations required by this chapter.
(3) When a use constituting a violation of this chapter is in existence prior to adoption of the chapter creating the violation, and that the use is grandfathered and subsequently terminated for any reason, the county shall bring an enforcement action pursuant to § 154.113 and/or G.S. § 153A-123.
(B) Violators.
(1) Violators include any person who owns, leases, occupies, manages, designs or builds any structure or land development activity in violation of this chapter and any person who owns, leases, or occupies a use in violation of this chapter.
(2) A violation may be charged against more than one violator.
(C) Complaints regarding violations. When a violation of this chapter occurs, or is alleged to have occurred, any person may file a written or verbal complaint with the Zoning Administrator. Such complaint shall state fully the cause and basis thereof and shall be filed with the Zoning Administrator, or his authorized agent. An investigation should be made within ten days. Actions as provided in these regulations shall be in accordance with § 154.113.
(D) Appeals.
(1) An alleged violator who has received a notice of violation may appeal the determination that a violation has occurred to the Board of Adjustment by making a written request for an administrative appeal as described in § 154.042, Appeal of Administrative Decisions.
(2) The Board of Adjustment shall hear the appeal and render its decision in accordance with the provisions of § 154.042.
(3) If there is no appeal, the determination of the Zoning Administrator is final.
(Ord. passed 6-21-21)