(A) Where there is a violation of any provision of this chapter, the town, at its discretion, may take one or more of the following enforcement actions.
(1) A police officer may issue a citation as provided herein, subjecting the violator to a civil penalty of $100. A second violation by the same person or business within one year of the first violation shall subject such person or business to a penalty of $200. All subsequent violations by the same person or business within one year of the first violation shall subject such person or business to a civil penalty of $500.
(2) Failure to pay a civil penalty imposed under this section within ten days may subject the offender to an additional $50 delinquency charge. Any unpaid penalty or delinquency charge may be recovered by the town in a civil action.
(3) The civil penalties imposed by this section and the proceeds therefrom as collected by payment, civil action or otherwise, shall belong to the town and shall be paid into the General Fund of the town under such conditions as prescribed by the annual budget.
(4) Pursuant to G.S. § 14-4, a violation of this chapter may be considered a misdemeanor. Such a misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment designated for a Class 3 misdemeanor.
(B) Each separate day of a continued violation shall be a separate and distinct offense and shall give rise to a separate and distinct penalty.
(Ord. passed 2-1-1994; Ord. passed 9-6-2005)