(a) Any person who violates a provision of any of the Model Building Codes or who fails to comply therewith or with any of the requirements thereof, or who erects, constructs, adds to or alters, moves or demolishes, or has erected, constructed, added to or altered, moved or demolished a building or structure or portion thereof, or of any plumbing, gas or electrical system, fixture, installation or apparatus in any building or structure or portion thereof, or which is connected to or used in conjunction therewith, in violation of a detailed statement or plan submitted and approved thereunder, or of a permit or certificate issued thereunder, or any owner of a building or structure, or portion thereof, or of the premises where anything in violation of any of the Model Building Codes shall be placed or shall exist, and an architect, engineer, builder, contractor, agent, person or corporation employed in connection therewith and who assisted in the commission of such violation shall be guilty of an offense against the City. Each such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day or portion thereof during which any violation of any provision of any of the Model Building Codes is committed or continued, and upon conviction of such violation each such person shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment not exceeding thirty days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(b) The imposition of the penalties herein prescribed shall not preclude the City Attorney from instituting an appropriate action or proceeding to prevent an unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, addition, alteration, conversion, removal, demolition, maintenance or use or to restrain, correct or abate a violation, or to prevent the occupancy of a building or structure or portion thereof, or of the premises, or to prevent an illegal act, conduct, business or use in or about any premises. (1975 Code Sec. 5-16)