SEC. 11.116. VIOLATIONS – CRIMINAL PENALTIES.

   It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision or to fail to comply with any requirement of this code. Any person who violates any provision or fails to comply with any requirement of this code shall be guilty of a misdemeanor except where the code or State Law specifically provides the offense is an infraction. The County and any prosecuting agency have discretion to charge any misdemeanor offense as an infraction.

   (a)   A conviction for a misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not to exceed six months, or by both fine and imprisonment.

   (b)   A conviction for an infraction that violates the County Building Code, Electrical Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code or Fire Code shall be punishable as follows:

      (1)   A fine of not more than $100 for the first violation;

      (2)   A fine of not more than $500 for the second violation of the same provision of this code within one year;

      (3)   A fine of not more than $1,000 for the third and each additional violation of the same provision of this code within one year.

   (c)   A conviction for all other infractions shall be punishable as follows:

      (1)    A fine of not more than $100 for a first violation;

      (2)    A fine of not more than $200 for a second violation of the same provision of this code within one year;

      (3)   A fine of not more than $500 for the third and each additional violation of the same provision of this code within one year.

   (d)   The penalties for the second and additional violations in paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) and (c)(2) and (3), above are based upon the dates the violations occur regardless of the dates of conviction. The increased penalties apply even if multiple violations are prosecuted together.

   (e)   As used in this code "conviction" or "convicted" means a plea of guilty or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere.

(Amended by Ord. No. 5200 (N.S.), effective 8-10-78; amended by Ord. No. 9263 (N.S.), effective 11-23-00; amended by Ord. No. 9889 (N.S.), effective 10-26-07; amended by Ord. No. 10818 (N.S.), effective 1-12-23)