§ 10-60. Alternative remedies.

Neither this chapter nor any of its provisions shall be construed to impair or limit in any way the power of the city to define and declare nuisances and to cause their abatement by summary action or otherwise, or to enforce this chapter by criminal process as authorized by G.S. 14-4 and 10-5, and the enforcement of any remedy provided in this chapter shall not prevent the enforcement of any other remedy provided in this chapter or in other ordinances or laws, including, but not limited to:

(1)

Criminal enforcement. A violation of any provision of this Code shall constitute a misdemeanor, and the violator may be fined up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) or up to thirty (30) days imprisonment or both for each offense, in the discretion of the court and as authorized in G.S. 14-4.

(2)

Civil citation. An owner who fails to comply with a correction order, or a findings of fact and order to repair or to improve, vacate, close or demolish any dwelling determined unfit for human habitation pursuant to the provisions contained in this Code, or who permits the occupancy or reoccupancy of an unsafe or unfit dwelling in violation of this Code shall be subject to civil penalty as outlined in Chapter 8 of this Code of fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first day following the expiration of an order to repair or improve, vacate or close any occupied dwelling or following a determination that an unfit dwelling has been reoccupied in violation of this Code. In each instance, a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per day shall be imposed for each subsequent day that such failure to comply continues.

If a person fails to pay the civil penalty within ten (10) days after being notified of the amount due, the city may recover the penalty together with all costs by filing a civil action in the general court of justice in the nature of a suit to collect a debt.

(Code 1977, § 12-29; Ord. No. 2001-45, § 11, 6-19-01)