No person, firm or corporation, whether as owner, lessee, sublessee
or occupant, shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve,
remove, demolish, equip, use, occupy or maintain any building, structure or
premises, or cause or permit the same to be done, contrary to or in violation
of any of the provisions of this Code or any order issued by the Housing Official
hereunder. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty
of a civil infraction. Each day the violation continues shall constitute a
separate violation.
Where the full amount due the County is not paid by such owner within
30 days after the County acted to remedy the violation, then the Finance Office
shall cause to be recorded in the Finance Department for the County a sworn
statement showing the cost and expense incurred for the work, the administrative
fees, the date the work was done and the location of the property on which
such work was done. The cost or expense shall be assessed as a lien on the
property and shall be entered on the tax records kept by the Department of
Finance and shall be collectible in the same manner as taxes on real estate.
A.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of
this chapter shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 per violation.
A schedule of fines for violations of this Code may be established by resolution
of the County Council.
[Amended 10-17-2006 by Bill No. 2006-11]
B.
Exception. If the owner of a premises fails to comply
with a demolition order within the time prescribed, the Housing Official shall
have the following methods of recourse:
(1)
The Housing Official shall cause the structure to be razed and removed, either through an available public agency or by contract or arrangement with private persons, and the cost of such razing and removal shall be collected in compliance with procedure set out in § 160-25; and/or
(2)
Any person who fails to comply with a demolition order
will be issued a two-hundred-dollar citation each day that the violation continues.
A.
In case of any violation of this chapter, the County
may, in addition to other remedies provided herein, institute any appropriate
action or proceeding in circuit court, either by injunction or otherwise,
to prevent such unlawful action and / or to restrain, correct or abate such
violation, to prevent the occupancy of such building or structure and to prevent
any illegal act in or about such premises.
B.
The Housing Official may proceed at law or in equity
against the person responsible for violation for the purpose of ordering that
person:
(1)
To restrain, correct or remove the violation or refrain
from any further execution of work;
(2)
To restrain or correct the erection, installation, maintenance,
repair or alteration of such structure;
(3)
To require the removal of work in violation; or
(4)
To prevent the occupancy of the structure that is not
in compliance with the provisions of this Code.
