(A) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, violations of the provisions of this chapter shall subject the offender to a civil penalty as authorized by G.S. § 160A-175(c) upon the issuance of a citation for said violation as hereinafter provided.
(B) Upon the issuance of a citation provided for herein the owner or operator, if different from the owner, of the motor vehicle in violation shall pay a civil penalty in the amount of $5 within 15 calendar days after the issuance of the citation. The civil penalty for violations of § 72.26(A) (parking vehicles in an area not designated or intended to accommodate vehicles) shall be $25 per violation. The civil penalty for violations of § 72.27 (parking for electric vehicles at or near charging stations) shall be $50 per violation. Upon failure to pay the citation within 15 calendar days, a late fee of $25 will be assessed for each citation not paid within the time required.
(C) If the civil penalty (parking ticket) is not paid as provided in division (B) above a notice shall be mailed First Class US Mail to the operator, if known, or the registered owner of the vehicle in violation if the operator is unknown, enclosing a copy of the citation and stating that unless the civil penalty and late fee is paid within five calendar days after mailing of notice the city will institute a civil action in the nature of a debt to collect same.
(D) If the notice prescribed in division (C) above is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle in violation it shall contain a further statement that if the registered owner of the vehicle in violation or his or her spouse or duly authorized agent did not commit the violation then he or she must come to the Police Department of the city within the five-day period provided in division (C) above and sign an affidavit to that effect and upon signing said affidavit further proceedings for the collection of said civil penalty and late fee against said registered owner shall cease. If said registered owner shall fail to sign said affidavit within the time prescribed herein it shall be prima facie evidence in any court in the State of North Carolina that the registered owner of said vehicle in violation was the person, firm or corporation committing the violation.
(Ord. O-2002-66, passed 10-15-02; Am. Ord. O-2009-33, passed 11-17-09; Am. Ord. O-2012-08, passed 4-17-12; Am. Ord. O-2017-17, passed 6-6-17)