(A) Criminal.
(1) Unless otherwise specifically provided, violation of any part of this code or any other town ordinance shall be a misdemeanor, as provided by G.S. § 14-4, as amended.
(2) Unless a higher fine is stated in a particular chapter or section of this code or in an ordinance, violators will be subject to a $100 criminal fine, and up to 30 days imprisonment for each offense.
(3) Each day a provision of the code or an ordinance is violated is a separate offense.
('85 Code, § 1-5.1)
(B) Civil.
(1) In addition to criminal fines, the penalty clause for a specific section of the code or ordinance may impose civil penalties against an offender.
(2) Each day a provision of the code or an ordinance is violated is a separate offense. The civil fine will accrue daily, starting on the day the violation first occurs, and continuing through the day the violation ceases.
(3) Civil fines are due and payable within three business days after service of a civil citation is complete. Each day's fine for a continuing offense shall be due and payable within three business days of the day of the offense without further notice or service. The fines are payable at the Town Hall during regular business hours.
(4) Service of a civil citation is completed on the day it is personally delivered, or five days after it is mailed, to the following: an offender who is an individual or owner of a sole proprietorship; any general partner of a partnership that is the offender; or the registered agent, or manager or other person in a supervisory capacity at the local place of business of an offender that is a corporation. The town shall use the address provided to the Tax Collector for all tax bills, and shall rely upon that address in serving notice. The five-day period for mailed service shall begin the day it is placed in the United States mail, in a properly stamped and addressed envelope, addressed to the appropriate person named above at the offender's address for tax mailings. Personal service may be made by any police officer, Town Manager, or Building Inspector.
(5) Recovery of overdue civil penalties shall be by a civil action against the offender in the nature of debt.
(6) Civil citations for all violations of code provisions and ordinances regulating building and housing, environmental matters, mobile homes, zoning, and subdivisions shall be issued by the Building Inspector. All other civil citations may be issued by any police officer or the Town Manager.
('85 Code, § 1-5.2) (Ord. 93-07, passed 3-1-93; Am. Ord. 02-04, passed 3-11-02; Am. Ord. 07-04, passed 5-22-07)