(a) Any violation of this chapter may be deemed a civil violation in lieu of criminal sanctions and upon an admission or finding of liability, shall be punishable to the fullest extent as allowed by the Code of Virginia or by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first violation and one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for each additional violation, whichever is greater. Each day during which the violation is found to have existed shall constitute a separate offense. However, in no event shall specified violations arising from the same operative set of facts be charged more frequently than once in any ten-day period, and in no event shall a series of specified civil violations arising from the same operative set of facts result in civil penalties which exceed the amount allowed under the Virginia Code, or a total of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00), whichever is greater. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as to prohibit the Building Official or the Building Maintenance Official from initiating civil injunction procedures in cases of repeat offenses or health and safety matters.
(b) After having served a notice of violation on any person or entity committing or permitting a violation under this chapter and if such violation has not ceased within such reasonable time as is specified in said notice, the Building Official, the Building Maintenance Official, or the designated personnel shall cause two copies of the summons or ticket to be sent via certified mail to such person or entity. If the person or entity complies in writing to a notice of violation, and agrees in writing to cease such violation, no further penalty fines shall be levied after the date of said agreement, provided the agreement is fully complied with within the time specified in said agreement.
(c) The summons shall provide that any person or entity summoned for a violation may elect to pay the civil penalty by making an appearance in person or in writing to the County Treasurer's office at least 72 hours prior to the time and date fixed for trial and enter a waiver of trial, admit liability, and pay the civil penalty established for the offense charged. Such summons shall provide that a signature to an admission of liability shall have the same force and effect as a judgment of court, however, said admission is limited to civil actions and shall not be deemed an admission in a criminal proceeding.
(d) If a person or entity charged with a violation does not elect to enter a waiver of trial and admit liability, the violation shall be tried in general district court in the same manner and with the same right of appeal as provided by law.
(Ord. 82-07. Passed 5-17-82; Ord. 03-06. Passed 7-8-03; Ord. 04-18. Passed 9-7-04.)