(A) An owner that fails to comply with an order to abate any unlawful condition described in section 12-3-4 shall be subject to civil penalties in an amount as follows:
(1) First violation. A violation of any of the provisions of this Code of Ordinances shall subject the violator to a civil penalty of $100.
(2) Second violation within 365 days of the first violation. A second violation by the violator within 365 days from herein defined first violation shall subject the violator to a civil penalty of $250.
(3) Third and subsequent violations within 365 days of the first violation. A third violation and any subsequent violations by the violator within 365 days from herein defined first violation shall subject the violator to a civil penalty of $500 per violation.
(B) Appeals; payment of civil penalty. Unless appealed in accordance with section 1-1-20 of the City Code, a civil penalty assessed for a violation of any provision of this Code of Ordinances must be paid to and received by the revenue division of the city’s Financial Services Department within five business days from the date of issuance.
(C) Methods of recovery of unpaid civil penalty. Unless appealed in accordance with the appeal provisions in accordance with section 1-1-20 of the City Code, if full payment for an assessed civil penalty is not timely received by the revenue division of the city’s Financial Services Department, the city may recover the unpaid civil penalty by any or all of the following methods:
(1) A civil action in the nature of a debt.
(2) The use of a collections agency and the assessment of an administrative fee.
(3) The use of the provisions of Chapter 105A (The Setoff Debt Collection Act) and G.S. 18C-134.
(4) Equitable remedies issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(5) Any other method authorized by law to secure, collect, satisfy, or otherwise recover any civil penalty owed.
(D) Separate offenses. Each violation of any provision of this Code of Ordinances and each day that a violation continues is considered a separate offense.
(Ord. No. 23-083, § 1, passed 12-14-2023)