§ 154.999 PENALTY.

   (A)   (1)   The violation of the terms of this chapter or any of the codes adopted herein by reference is hereby declared to be a petty offense, solely punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 for each offense. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense.

      (2)   The removal or defacing of any notice of violation posted pursuant to § 154.009 by any person other than the Community Development Administrator or his or her designee is hereby declared to be a petty offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.

   (B)   (1)   No notice of violation shall be issued under §§ 154.145 through 154.147 for the first 90 days after its effective date to allow property owners to come into compliance. At the expiration of that 90-day period, the county’s Community Development Department (“Department”) shall begin to issue notice of violations to property owners and/or occupants under §§ 154.145 through 154.147. All notice of violations shall be sent to the property owner(s) and occupant(s), as required.

      (2)   The first notice of violation notification issued by the Department as to a particular property shall not levy any monetary penalty. It shall require the property owner(s) to bring his, her, or their property into compliance with §§ 154.145 through 154.147 within 30 days of the issuance of the notification. If the property owner(s) have not complied with §§ 154.145 through 154.147 by the date noted in the first notice of violation, the Department is authorized to issue a subsequent, second notice of violation.

      (3)   Any second notice of violation issued by the Department may institute fines at the rate of $25 per week until the property owners demonstrate compliance with §§ 154.145 through 154.147.

       (4)   The Department is also authorized to issue a formal notice to appear before the County Hearing Officer with a second notice of violation if non-compliance occurs for longer than the 30-day deadline established in the first notice of violation. The notice shall issue to the owners and/or occupants of said property. For the purposes of this section, any notification requirement to property owners and/or occupants of the property is met by showing proof of delivery that such notification was sent via certified United States Postal Service. In the event property owners and/or occupants do not accept said certified mail, personal delivery shall be sufficient notice.

(Prior Code, 7 TCC 5-1(f); Prior Code, 8 TCC 5-3)