Sec. 1-8. General penalty; continuing violations.
(a)   "Violation of this Code" means any of the following:
   (1)   Doing an act that is prohibited or made or declared unlawful, an offense, or a violation by ordinance or by rule or regulation authorized by ordinance.
   (2)   Failure to perform an act that is required to be performed by ordinance or by rule or regulation authorized by ordinance.
   (3)   Failure to perform an act if the failure is prohibited or is made or declared unlawful, an offense, or a violation or by ordinance or by rule or regulation authorized by ordinance.
(b)   Reserved. 
(c)   "Violation of this Code" does not include the failure of a city officer or city employee to perform an official duty unless it is specifically provided that the failure to perform the duty is to be punished as provided in this section.
(d)   Except as specifically provided otherwise by state law or city ordinance, all violations of this Code are municipal civil infractions, punishable by a civil fine not exceeding $500.00 and all direct and indirect costs of the action.
State Law References: MCL 600.8727.
(e)   Except as otherwise provided by law or ordinance, a person convicted of a violation of this Code that is a misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00, imprisonment for a period of not more than 90 days, or both; provided, however, unless otherwise provided by law, a person convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of this Code that substantially correspond to a violation of state law that is a misdemeanor for which the maximum period of imprisonment is 93 days shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00, imprisonment for a term of not more than 93 days, or both. A person convicted of a violation of this Code shall be responsible for costs.
(f)   Except as otherwise provided by law or ordinance:
   (1)   As to violations of this Code that are continuous with respect to time, each day that the violation continues is a separate offense.
   (2)   As to other violations, each violation constitutes a separate offense.
(g)   The imposition of a penalty does not prevent suspension or revocation of a license, permit or franchise or other administrative sanctions.
(h)   Violations of this Code that are continuous with respect to time are a public nuisance and may be abated by injunctive or other equitable relief. The imposition of a penalty does not prevent injunctive relief or civil or quasi-judicial enforcement.
Charter References: Penalty for ordinance violations, § 7.5.
State Law References: Penalty for ordinance violations, MCL 117.4i(k), 117.4l.
(i)   A defendant who fails to answer a citation or notice to appear in court for a municipal civil infraction shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(j)   In a municipal civil infraction action involving the use or occupancy of land or a building or other structure, a copy of the citation need not be personally served upon the alleged violator but may be served upon an owner or occupant of the land, building or structure by posting the copy on the land or attaching the copy to the building or structure. In addition, a copy of the citation shall be sent by first-class mail to the last known address of the owner of the land, building or structure.