(A) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, violations of the provisions of this chapter shall subject the offender to a civil penalty as authorized by G.S. § 160A-175(c) upon the issuance of a citation for said violation hereinafter provided. Violations shall not be punishable as a misdemeanor or infraction, except for the parking violations punishable under G.S. Chapter 20.
(B) Upon issuance of a citation provided herein the owner or operator, if different from the owner, of the motor vehicle in violation shall pay a civil penalty in the amount of $50, within 15 calendar days, a late fee of $10 will be assessed for each citation not paid within the time required.
(C) If the civil penalty (parking ticket) is not paid as provided in division (B) above a notice shall be mailed by first class mail to the operator, if known, or the registered owner of the vehicle if the operator is unknown, enclosing a copy of the citation and stating that unless the civil penalty and late fee is paid within five calendar days after mailing of notice the town may institute a civil action in the nature of a debt to collect same.
(D) If the notice prescribed in division (C) above is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle in violation it shall contain a further statement that if the registered owner of the vehicle in violation or his or her spouse or duly authorized agent did not commit the violation then he or she must come to the Police Department within the five-day period provided in division (C) above and sign an affidavit to the effect and upon signing said affidavit further proceedings for the collection of said civil penalty and late fee against said registered owner shall cease. If said registered owner shall fail to sign said affidavit within the time prescribed herein it shall be prima facie evidence in any court in the state that the registered owner of said vehicle in violation was the person, form or corporation committing the violation.
(Prior Code, § 72.99) (Ord. passed 9-4-1990; Ord. passed 9-17-1990; Ord. passed 2-19-2013)