(A) Unless otherwise specifically provided, violation of any provision of this code of ordinances for the village shall subject the offender to a civil penalty in the amount of $200, to be recovered by the village. Violators shall be issued written notice of the violation which must be paid within 20 days after receipt of the notice. If the violator does not pay the penalty within 20 days, the village may recover such penalty, and all subsequent accruing penalties, in a civil action.
(B) Upon the issuance of a notice of violation or citation, the Village Manager may suspend any other permits or approvals issued to the violator, including the issuance of a stop-work order, until such time as the violation is cured and any civil penalty paid. An active appeal of the violation to the appropriate village authority shall operate as a stay of the suspension of the permits and approvals, unless the Village Manager determines that allowing the work to continue would constitute a danger to health, life, safety, or property.
(C) In the event there is an outstanding penalty amount or unresolved violation of this code of ordinances, the village may require the violation to be remedied as a condition for the issuance of any subsequent permit or approval.
(D) Each day’s continuing violation of any ordinance shall be a separate and distinct offense.
(E) Notwithstanding and in addition to division (A) above, all ordinances may also be enforced by appropriate equitable remedies issuing from a court of competent jurisdiction.
(F) Unless otherwise specifically provided, violations of any provision of this code of ordinances shall not be a misdemeanor.
(G) If any division of this section is held to be invalid or unenforceable, all other divisions shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect.
(H) In the event it is necessary for the village to institute a civil action to collect a civil penalty for the violation of any provision of any village ordinance, the offender shall pay all court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the village.
(Prior Code, Ch. 22 Art. I) (Res. R-2023.3, passed 7-18-2023)
Statutory reference:
Enforcement of ordinances, see G.S. § 160A-175