§ 9.2.8. Violations, Enforcement and Penalties

In addition to the provisions of Div. 11.8, the following provisions apply.

A.

Violations Any action or inaction which violates the provisions of this Division or the requirements of an approved site plan or permit may be subject to the enforcement actions outlined in this section. Any such action or inaction that is continuous with respect to time is deemed to be a public nuisance and may be abated by injunctive or other equitable relief. The imposition of any of the penalties described in paragraph C. of this section does not prevent such equitable relief.

B.

Notice of Violation  

1.

If the City determines that an applicant or other responsible person has failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a permit, an approved site plan or the provisions of this Division, the Director will issue a written notice of violation to the applicant or other responsible person.

2.

Where a person is engaged in activity covered by this Division without having first secured the appropriate permit for the work, the notice of violation is served on the owner or the responsible person in charge of the activity being conducted on the site.

3.

The notice of violation must contain:

a.

The name and address of the owner or the applicant or the responsible person;

b.

The address or other description of the site upon which the violation is occurring;

c.

A statement specifying the nature of the violation;

d.

A description of the remedial measures necessary to bring the action or inaction into compliance with the permit, the approved site plan or this Division and the date for the completion of such remedial action;

e.

A statement of the penalty or penalties that may be assessed against the person to whom the notice of violation is directed; and

f.

A statement that the determination of violation may be appealed to the City by filing a written notice of appeal within 30 days after the notice of violation (except that in the event the violation constitutes an immediate danger to public health or public safety, 24 hours' notice is sufficient).

C.

Penalties  

1.

In the event the remedial measures described in the notice of violation have not been completed by the date set forth for completion in the notice of violation, any one or more of the following actions or penalties may be taken or assessed against the person to whom the notice of violation was directed.

2.

Before taking any of the following actions or imposing any of the following penalties, the City must first notify the applicant or other responsible person in writing of its intended action, and provide a reasonable opportunity, of not less than 10 days (except that in the event the violation constitutes an immediate danger to public health or public safety, 24 hours' notice is sufficient) to cure the violation.

3.

In the event the applicant or other responsible person fails to cure such violation after such notice and cure period, the City may take any one or more of the following actions or impose any one or more of the following penalties:

a.

Stop work order. The Department may issue a stop work order that is served on the applicant or other responsible person. The stop work order will remain in effect until the applicant or other responsible person has taken the remedial measures set forth in the notice of violation or has otherwise cured the violation or violations described therein, provided the stop work order may be withdrawn or modified to enable the applicant or other responsible person to take necessary remedial measures to cure such violation or violations.

b.

Withhold certificate of occupancy. The City may refuse to issue a certificate of occupancy for the building or other improvements constructed or being constructed on the site until the applicant or other responsible person has taken the remedial measures set forth in the notice of violation or has otherwise cured the violations described therein.

c.

Suspension, revocation or modification of permit. The City may suspend, revoke or modify the permit authorizing the land development project. A suspended, revoked or modified permit may be reinstated after the applicant or other responsible person has taken the remedial measures set forth in the notice of violation or has otherwise cured the violations described therein, provided such permit may be reinstated (upon such conditions as the City may deem necessary) to enable the applicant or other responsible person to take the necessary remedial measures to cure such violations.

d.

Civil penalties. In the event the applicant or other responsible person fails to take the remedial measures set forth in the notice of violation or otherwise fails to cure the violations described therein within ten days (or such greater period as the City deems appropriate) (except that in the event the violation constitutes an immediate danger to public health or public safety, 24 hours' notice is sufficient) after the City has taken one or more of the actions described above, the City may impose a penalty not to exceed $1,000.00 (depending on the severity of the violation) for each day the violation remains unremedied after receipt of the notice of violation.

e.

Criminal penalties. For intentional and flagrant violations of this Division, the City may issue a citation to the applicant or other responsible person, requiring such person to appear in (appropriate municipal, magistrate or recorders) court to answer charges for such violation. Upon conviction, such person is guilty of a violation of this Code. Each act of violation and each day upon which any act of violation occurs constitutes a separate violation of this Code.