(A) Any building or structure which is erected, moved, placed, reconstructed, razed, extended, enlarged, altered, maintained, or used; or any use of a lot or land which is begun, maintained, or changed in violation of any term or provision of this chapter, is hereby declared to be a nuisance per se.
(B) (1) A violation of this chapter constitutes a municipal civil infraction. Any person who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects, or refuses to comply with any provision of this chapter, or any permit or approval issued hereunder, or any amendment thereof, or any person who knowingly or intentionally aids or abets another person in violation of this chapter, shall be in violation of this chapter and shall be responsible for a civil infraction.
(2) The civil fine for a municipal civil infraction shall be not less than $50 nor more than $100 for the first offense and not less than $200 for subsequent offenses, in the discretion of the court, in addition to all other costs, damages, expenses, and remedies provided by law.
(3) For purposes of this section, SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE means a violation of the provisions of this chapter committed by the same person within 12 months of a previous violation of the same provision of this chapter or similar provision of this chapter for which the person admitted responsibility or was adjudged to be responsible.
(4) Each day during which any violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
(C) The duly authorized attorney for the township is empowered to prosecute violations.
(D) (1) Upon notice from the Zoning Administrator, Building Inspector, or other such person as designated by resolution of the Township Board, that any use is being conducted or that any work on any building or structure is being prosecuted contrary to the provisions of this chapter or in an unsafe and dangerous manner, that work or use shall be immediately stopped. The stop work order shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property involved or to the owner’s agent, or to the person doing the work; and shall state the conditions, if any, under which the work or use will be permitted to resume.
(2) Any person who shall continue to work in or about the structure or building or use after having been served with a stop work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be in violation of this chapter.
(E) The Township Board and/or Township Supervisor may institute injunction, mandamus, abatement, or any other appropriate action or proceedings to prevent, enjoin, abate, or remove any violation of this chapter. The rights and remedies provided herein are cumulative and in addition to all other remedies provided by law.
(F) Fines, penalties, or cost of enforcement, including reasonable attorney fees, are collectable as a judgment or may be levied against the property and collected as a property tax.
(Ord. passed 7-30-2015)