355.04 ANSWER TO CHARGES.

   (a)    A person who is served with a parking ticket charging the commission of a parking infraction may answer the charge by personal appearance at the Norwalk City Hall during normal business hours or by mail. The answer shall be made within seven days of the issuance of the parking ticket and shall be either:

      (1)    An admission that the person committed the parking infraction by payment of the fine; or

      (2)    A denial that the infraction occurred and a request for a hearing.

   (b)   A denial must be written on the back of the ticket when a denial is entered. Otherwise, the person need only pay the fine to the Clerk.

(Ord. 2003-026. Passed 4-15-03.)

   (c)    When a person denies that he has committed a parking violation, he shall be granted a hearing which shall be civil in nature. The Bureau shall set a date for the hearing and notify the person, in writing, of the date, time and place of the hearing. The hearing shall be conducted by the Hearing Examiner in accordance with R.C. Section 4521.08 which is incorporated herein by reference.

   (d)    A person who admits that he committed a parking infraction shall, and a person who admits that he committed a parking infraction with explanation may, when he makes his answer, pay the fine arising out of the infraction admitted to the violations clerk of the bureau to which the answer is made.

   (e)    If a person fails to timely answer to a parking ticket citation, after that person has been personally or constructively served with the citation, charging the offense, the City of Norwalk Parking Violations Bureau shall issue a notice of infraction and shall proceed pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 4521.07. Failure to answer a charge may result in the imposition of additional penalties set forth in this chapter.

(Ord. 96-98. Passed 8-20-96.)