(a) A person served with a notice of a civil offense may respond to the charge by filing an answer. An answer must be made filed within 15 calendar days of the mailing or other service of the notice. The answer may:
(1) Admit that the person committed the offense by payment of the civil fine specified in the notice;
(2) Admit the facts set forth in the notice and offer an explanation of the circumstances;
(3) Admit that the person committed the offense and, for those offenses that provide for a reduction in civil fine on proof of correction, offer proof that the person has corrected the offense;
(4) Deny that the person committed the offense and request a hearing. If the person desires that the enforcement officer, inspector or other authorized individual who issued the notice attend the hearing, the person must request same in the answer; or
(5) If the person served has taken an administrative appeal authorized by the Codified Ordinances of The City of Springfield, Ohio, from an order on which the offense was based, the person may request that the time for answering the notice of civil offense be continued until the appeal has been finally resolved.
(b) (1) A person who admits the commission of the offense for which a notice was issued must pay the civil fine arising out of the offense to the City Treasurer.
(2) A person who admits the facts set forth in a notice of civil offense with an explanation may offer an explanation of the circumstances to the hearing examiner.
(3) A person who admits the commission of the offense with an offer of proof of correction, may offer proof that the person has corrected the offense.
(c) If a person admits the commission of the civil offense or fails to file an answer within 15 calendar of the mailing or other service of the notice and fails to pay the fine within 15 calendar days of the mailing or other service of the notice, the fine is “delinquent” and the delinquent amount shown in Section 1324.99 is then due.
(d) The filing of an answer to a notice of a civil offense does not extend the time for the filing of any appeal to the Board of Building Appeals or similar appellate body.