(A) Initiation/complaint. Whenever a violation of this chapter occurs, or is alleged to have occurred, any person may file a written complaint. The complaint shall state fully the alleged violation and the basis thereof, and shall be filed with the Storm Water Administrator, who shall record the complaint. The complaint shall be investigated promptly by the Storm Water Administrator.
(B) Inspection. The Storm Water Administrator shall have the authority, upon presentation of proper credentials, to enter and inspect any land, building, structure or premises to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(C) Notice of violation and order to correct.
(1) When the Storm Water Administrator finds that any building, structure or land is in violation of this chapter, the Storm Water Administrator shall notify, in writing, the property owner or other person violating this chapter. The notification shall indicate the nature of the violation, contain the address or other description of the site upon which the violation is occurring, order the necessary action to abate the violation, and give a deadline for correcting the violation. If civil penalties are to be assessed, the notice of violation shall also contain a statement of the civil penalties to be assessed, the time of their accrual, and the time within which they must be paid or be subject to collection as a debt.
(2) The Storm Water Administrator may deliver the notice of violation and correction order personally, by the Code Enforcement Officer, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by any means authorized for the service of documents by Rule 4 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure.
(3) If a violation is not corrected within a reasonable period of time, as provided in the notification, the Storm Water Administrator may take appropriate action under this chapter to correct and abate the violation and to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(D) Extension of time.
(1) A person who receives a notice of violation and correction order, or the owner of the land on which the violation occurs, may submit to the Storm Water Administrator a written request for an extension of time for correction of the violation.
(2) On determining that the request includes enough information to show that the violation cannot be corrected within the specified time limit, for reasons beyond the control of the person requesting the extension, the Storm Water Administrator may extend the time limit as is reasonably necessary to allow timely correction of the violation, up to, but not exceeding 30 days.
(3) The Storm Water Administrator may grant ten-day extensions, in addition to the foregoing extension, if the violation cannot be corrected within the permitted time due to circumstances beyond the control of the person violating this chapter.
(4) The Storm Water Administrator may grant an extension only by written notice of extension.
(5) The notice of extension shall state the date prior to which correction must be made, after which the violator will be subject to the penalties described in the notice of violation and correction order.
(E) Enforcement after time to correct. After the time has expired to correct a violation, including any extension(s) if authorized by the Storm Water Administrator, the Storm Water Administrator shall determine if the violation is corrected. If the violation is not corrected, the Storm Water Administrator may act to impose one or more of the remedies and penalties authorized by this chapter.
(F) Emergency enforcement.
(1) If delay in correcting a violation would seriously threaten the effective enforcement of this chapter or pose an immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare, then the Storm Water Administrator may order the immediate cessation of a violation.
(2) Any person so ordered shall cease any violation immediately.
(3) The Storm Water Administrator may seek immediate enforcement, without prior written notice, through any remedy or penalty authorized by this chapter.
(Ord. 14-O-312, passed 7-14-2014)