1907.99 PENALTY.
(a) Criminal Penalties. Any person, owner, operator, or occupant who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of the Housing Code or any chapter contained therein shall be guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor and, in addition to the imposition of court costs pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 2947.23, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned not more than one hundred eighty (180) days, or both, and shall, in addition to any other penalties within these maximum amounts, be subject to imposition of the following minimum mandatory penalties, which shall not be suspended or held in abeyance:
(1) If, within two (2) years of the offense, a person, owner, operator, or occupant has not previously been convicted of or plead guilty to any violation of a section of the Housing Code, shall be fined not less than one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00).
(2) If, within two (2) years of the offense a person, owner, operator, or occupant has previously been convicted of or plead guilty to one violation of a section of the Housing Code, shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars ($500.00).
(3) If, within two (2) years of the offense a person, owner, operator, or occupant has previously been convicted of or plead guilty to two (2) violations of a section of the Housing Code, shall be fined not less than seven hundred dollars ($750.00).
(4) If, within two (2) years of the offense a person, owner, operator, or occupant has previously been convicted of or plead guilty to three (3) or more violations of a section of the Housing Code, shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).
(b) Application of Prior Convictions. A conviction or convictions obtained on or after the effective date of this section shall constitute a conviction or convictions for purposes of enforcement of the minimum mandatory penalties required by this section. Each separate count of which a person has been convicted shall constitute a separate violation of a section of the Housing Code.
(c) Continuing Violations. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
(d) Strict Liability. The provisions of this chapter are specifically intended to impose strict liability. (Ord. 2022-4-26. Passed 4-13-22.)