[Adopted 10-28-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-15[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was originally adopted as Ch. 3 but was renumbered to maintain the organization of the Code.
[Amended 6-23-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-04]
Unless the provision in question specifically provides for other penalties, any person who violates a provision of a chapter of this Code shall be fined $200 for the first offense and $350 for each subsequent, or continuing, offense.
Any fine associated with the violation of any section of the Code, as set forth above, may be paid directly to the Town of Georgetown by the due date stated in the notice of violation. If fines are not paid and/or violations are not remedied, the Town may seek enforcement in a Delaware Court of competent jurisdiction.
A. 
When a Code violation is reported, the Code Enforcement Officer will investigate promptly. Complaints can be relayed by phone, e-mail or in person at Town Hall. A record shall be kept of all complaints.
B. 
If a violation is verified, enforcement action will be taken. Generally:
(1) 
A door hanger notifying the property owner/occupant of violation(s) is placed on the property, and a notice of deficiency is mailed to the property owner of record.
(2) 
If a violation remains after the number of days indicated in the notice of deficiency for correction, a first notice of violation will be issued with the corresponding fine assessed, and sent via mail to the property owner of record.
(3) 
If a violation remains after the number of days indicated in the first notice of violation for correction, a second notice of violation will be issued with the corresponding additional fine assessed, and sent via mail to the property owner of record.
(4) 
If a violation remains after the number of days indicated in the second notice of violation for correction, a summons to appear in court will be issued to the property owner of record.
(5) 
In appropriate cases, duplicate notices may also be mailed or provided to residents or tenants of the property, if not owner/occupied, and/or posted on the property, as well as mailed to the owner of record.
The amount due to be paid directly to the Town shall be the minimum amount due as set forth in § 1-13 above.
The Town shall keep a complete record of all payments made to the Town in accordance with this chapter.
[Amended 9-25-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-05; 8-11-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-06]
A. 
Code Enforcement Officers are authorized to issue a summons to enforce the minimum fines due for violations of the following chapters of the Code.
B. 
A noticed code violator shall agree to a schedule for correction and compliance that is no longer than the time to correct outlined below. If compliance cannot reasonably be completed within the specified time, then the violator must initiate the process within the specified time and come into compliance within a reasonable period of time as shall be determined in writing by the Code Enforcement Officer for each specific case. If the violation requires immediate correction, the Code Enforcement Officer shall set forth in the notice of deficiency the maximum time to correct the cited violation(s).
Chapter Title
Chapter Number
Time to Correct
Animals
52
Immediate
Building Construction
61
10 days
Burning, Outdoor
70
Immediate
Circuses, Carnival and Exhibitions
79
Immediate
Farming
94
10 days
Hotels and Motels
114
10 days
Housing Standards
116
Immediate - imminent danger; 10 days - all other
Ice Cream Peddlers
119
Immediate
Junkyards
123
10 days
Licensing of Businesses
130
5 days
Littering and Dumping
135
Immediate
Noise
144
Immediate
Peace and Good Order
157
Immediate
Property Maintenance
165
Immediate - imminent danger; 10 days - all other
Sewers
176
Immediate
Solid Waste
185
Immediate
Street and Sidewalks
190
10 days
Trailers
206
10 days
Trees
208
Immediate - imminent danger; 10 days - all other
Vehicles, Abandoned or Inoperable
212
15 days
Vehicles and Traffic
215
Immediate
Water
222
Immediate
Yard Sales
225
Immediate
A. 
Any notice issued for failure to comply with this chapter shall be mailed to the owner of record of the property that is the subject of the violation at the owner's last known address as shown on the assessment records of the Town.
B. 
In appropriate cases, duplicate notices may also be mailed or provided to residents or tenants of the property, if not owner occupied, and/or posted on the property, as well as mailed to the owner of record.