(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to violate or fail to comply with any provision of this article. The violation of any provision of this article shall first be punished through the use of a civil citation, prior to prosecution as a misdemeanor, infraction, or civil injunction as provided in section 1-10.
(B) Any owner who intentionally demands, accepts or retains any payment in violation of the provisions of this article shall be liable in a civil action to the tenant from whom such payment is demanded, accepted, or retained for damages in the sum of three times the amount by which the payment demanded, accepted, or retained exceeds the maximum amount which could be lawfully demanded, accepted, or retained together with reasonable attorneys' fees and costs as determined by the court.
(Ord. No. 3013)