Surry County shall take any enforcement actions as prescribed below, if there is probable cause to believe that a person or persons are in violation of this chapter.
(A) A warning citation may be issued at the discretion of the authorized agent assigned to the violation. The warning citation may include orders that direct the violator to correct his, her or its actions within a specified amount of time.
(B) A civil citation may be issued directly to the violator(s) of this chapter, or mailed to the violator by certified mail. If such person does not claim citation by certified mail, a copy may be posted conspicuously at the last known or present address of the violator. A cited violator shall respond to the citation within 72 hours of service or mailed notice acceptance, or within ten days of lawful posting of the citation on the property. The civil citation shall be paid in full to the Surry County Development Services Department on or before the specified date and time described on the citation. The authorized agent may order the violator to remedy the violation in addition to paying the civil citation. If such an order is issued, the violator(s) shall present evidence that such remedy has been or is being executed as ordered and according to any time allowances given in such order, along with the payment of any civil citations issued.
(C) Fines in civil citations under this chapter shall be administered as follows:
(1) First offense: $50;
(2) Second offense: $100; and
(3) Third and sequential citations: $100.
(D) Each day a violation continues shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense, punishable as provided herein.
(E) A civil citation may be issued for violation of this chapter based upon circumstantial evidence recovered by the local ordinance officer.
(F) The civil penalties shall be administered in addition to any and all other penalties that may be imposed by a court of law resulting from actions in violation of this chapter.
(G) A misdemeanor criminal summons may be issued against the violator(s) of this chapter if deemed necessary to remedy the violation in the discretion of one or more of those named in § 110.02 of this chapter.
(H) Any person violating this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine, community service or both. Each day’s violation shall be treated as a separate offense.
(Ord. passed 8-17-2009; Ord. passed 12-7-2020)