A. Any person violating any provision of the Murrieta Municipal Code or applicable state code may be issued an administrative citation by an enforcement officer as provided in this chapter. A violation of this code includes, but is not limited to, all violations of the municipal code, the Uniform Codes adopted by the city council, failing to comply with any condition imposed by any entitlement, permit, agreement or environmental document issued or approved under the provisions of this code.
B. Each and every day a violation of the municipal code or applicable state code exists constitutes a separate and distinct offense.
C. A civil fine shall be assessed by means of an administrative citation issued by the enforcement officer and shall be payable directly to the city.
D. Fines for administrative citations shall be assessed in the amounts specified in this chapter, as adopted by the city council, as:
1. A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a first violation;
2. A fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200.00) for a second violation of the same ordinance or permit within one year from the date of the first violation;
3. A fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each additional violation of the same ordinance or permit within one (1) year from the date of the first violation.
4. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36900(c), and notwithstanding any other provision of law, a violation of local building and safety codes determined to be an infraction that poses a threat to public health or safety is punishable by the following:
a. A fine not exceeding one hundred thirty dollars ($130.00) for the first violation.
b. A fine not exceeding seven hundred dollars ($700.00) for the second violation of the same ordinances within one (1) year.
(i) A fine not exceeding one thousand three hundred dollars ($1,300.00) for each additional violation of the same ordinance within one (1) year of the first violation.
(ii) A fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) for each additional violation of the same ordinance within two (2) years of the first violation if the property is a commercial property that has an existing building at the time of the violation and the violation is due to the failure by the owner to remove visible refuse or failure to prohibit unauthorized use of the property.
5. Pursuant to Government Code Section 36900(d), and notwithstanding any other law including subsections D.3. and D.4. above, a violation of Chapter 5.27 of this code related to short-term vacation rentals determined to be an infraction that poses a threat to public health or safety is punishable by the following:
a. A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00) for a first violation for failure to register or pay a business license fee.
b. A fine not exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) for any other first violation.
c. A fine not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) for a second violation of the same ordinance (other than pursuant to subsection D.5.a. within one (1) year.
d. A fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for each additional violation of the same ordinance (other than pursuant to subsection D.5.a. within one (1) year of the first violation.
E. Fines collected resulting from enforcement of Murrieta Municipal Code administrative citation violations will be placed in the general fund and used solely for the purpose of the code enforcement program in order to ensure and maintain the character and well-being of the city.
(Ord. 582 § 1, 2022; Ord. 551 § 1, 2019; Ord. 207 § 2 (part), 1999)