(A) In case any building or structure is constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted, or maintained, or any building, structure, or land is used in violation of the provisions codified in this chapter the City Attorney in the name of the city, or any owner or tenant of real property in the same contiguous zoning district as the building or structure in question, in addition to other remedies, may institute any appropriate action or proceeding:
(1) To prevent the unlawful construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance, or use; or
(2) To prevent the occupancy of the building, structure, or land;
(3) To prevent any illegal act, conduct, business, or use in or about the premises; or
(4) To restrain, correct, or abate the violation. When any such action is instituted by an owner or tenant, notice of such action shall be served upon the city at the time suit is begun, by serving a copy of the complaint on the Mayor of the city, no such action may be maintained until such notice has been given.
(B) In any action or proceeding for a purpose mentioned in this section, the court with jurisdiction of such action or proceeding has the power to and in its discretion may issue a restraining order, or a preliminary injunction, as well as a permanent injunction, upon such terms and under such conditions as will do justice and enforce the purposes of the provisions codified in this chapter.
(C) (1) If a permanent injunction is decreed in any action or proceeding for a purpose mentioned in this section, the court in its decree may, in its discretion, allow the plaintiff a reasonable sum of money for the services of the plaintiff’s attorney.
(2) This allowance shall be a part of the costs of the litigation assessed against the defendant, and may be recovered as such.
(1978 Code, § 17.68.010) (Ord. 368, passed - -1967; Ord. 2009-01, passed 2-19-2009)