(a) No person shall cause, whether by neglect or willful action or inaction, any alteration of, or environmental change or demolition affecting any historic structure or any historic site or district without first having obtained a certificate of appropriateness for such alteration, demolition or environmental change.
(b) No person being the owner of a historic structure shall, whether by willful action or neglect, fail to provide reasonable care, maintenance and upkeep appropriate for the preservation, protection, enhancement, rehabilitation, perpetuation or use in compliance with the terms of this chapter.
(c) Any person who causes, whether by neglect or willful action or inaction, any alteration of or environmental change or demolition affecting any Historic Structure or any historic site or district in violation of this chapter shall be required to restore the structure or property to its appearance as the Review Commission may approve. Any action to enforce this subsection shall be brought by the Law Director. This civil remedy shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any criminal prosecution and penalty.
(d) Violations of the terms and provisions of this chapter shall be referred to Council for authorization to prosecute. Council shall, prior to the authorization to prosecute, utilize its best efforts to secure noncriminal compliance with the terms and provisions of this chapter. Absent authorization to prosecute, all enforcement of this chapter shall occur in accordance with the injunctive relief provisions of Ohio R.C. 715.30.
(e) Whoever violates any of the terms and provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor in the second degree for the first offense and shall be subject to a fine or penalty of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) or imprisoned for not more than ninety days, or both. In the event of a second offense, such violator shall be guilty of a misdemeanor in the first degree and shall be subject to a fine or penalty of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned for not more than six-months, or both.
(Ord. 2012-4. Passed 1-26-12.)
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF STOW