[R.O. 2004 § 420.480; Ord. No. 2.56 § 4, 1-9-2001; Ord. No. 2.129 § 1, 4-24-2007]
A.
The owner or agent of a building or premises
in or upon which a violation of any provision of the zoning regulations
has been committed or shall exist, or the lessee or tenant of an entire
building or entire premises in or upon which violation has been committed
or shall exist, or the agent, architect, building contractor or any
other person who commits, takes part or assists in any violation or
who maintains any building or premises in or upon which violation
has been committed or shall exist shall be punished by a fine not
to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense. Each and
every day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate
offense.
B.
In case any structure is erected, constructed,
reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained, or any
structure or land is used in violation of the zoning regulations,
the appropriate authorities, in addition to other remedies, may institute
injunction, mandamus or other appropriate action or proceedings to
prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration,
conversion, maintenance of use or to correct or abate such violation
or to prevent the occupancy of said building, structure or land.
C.
An initial notification letter is to be
sent upon initial discovery of the violation. If the action which
is to be taken to resolve the violation is not completed within thirty
(30) days of the date of the initial notification letter, then a stop
order shall be served. Further action shall be taken as described
in the zoning regulations if the action which is to be taken to resolve
the violation is still unresolved within ten (10) days of the service
of the stop order. Following are samples of the initial notification
of violation and the zoning violation stop order letters.
D.
In the case of violations that are of a short term or transient nature, such as temporary land uses or temporary uses of structures, that are prohibited or for which a permit has not been issued for such uses, notice shall be given in written form to immediately abate the violation. This also applies to violations that create situations of immediate hazard or imminent danger to life or property. Should the violation be maintained after notice to abate has been given, the responsible party shall be subject to the terms of Subsection (A) of this Section.
