The Community Development Director or his designee is authorized and directed to provide inspectors with citation tags which may be used for the purpose of giving due notice and summons to the person responsible for violations of this Springfield Zoning Code by the following procedure:
(a) Each citation tag shall be put in writing on an appropriate form, describe the offense charged, refer to the section of the chapter violated, and order the defendant to appear at a stated time and place.
(b) The citation tag shall be served on such person in person. However, a citation tag shall be deemed to be properly served upon such person if a copy thereof is sent by registered or certified mail to his last known mailing address, residence, or place of business, and a copy is posted in a conspicuous place in or on the property affected.
(c) If a registered or certified mail envelope is returned with an endorsement showing that service was refused or unclaimed, the notice may be served by ordinary mail to his last known mailing address, residence, or place of business. The mailing shall be evidenced by a certificate of mailing, and service shall be deemed complete on the date of mailing, provided the ordinary mailing envelope is not returned from the postal authorities with an endorsement showing failure of delivery.
(d) Alternatively:
(1) The citation tag may be served by leaving it at his last known residence or place of business in the presence of a family member or other responsible person of suitable age and discretion who shall be informed of the general nature of the contents thereof; or
(2) If service is not accomplished by any of the above means, then a notification of the existence of the citation tag may be published at least once in a local newspaper of general circulation.
(e) The citation tag shall inform the defendant that, in lieu of appearing at the time and place stated, he may, within the stated time, sign a plea of guilty and a waiver of trial and pay a stated fine and stated costs, if any. (f) When the defendant fails to appear within the stated time, a warrant may be issued for his arrest.
(f) When a defendant appears, but does not sign a guilty plea and waiver of trial, the court shall proceed according to criminal procedures.
(g) The citation tag as herein provided, shall be sufficient notice, summons, and legal service thereof for the purpose specified thereon, provided the use of such tags shall not prohibit the issuance of either additional citation tags in the event such violation is continued or repeated.