(a) 
It is unlawful for any person to violate any provision or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this Code or the provisions of any Code adopted by reference by this Code. Any person violating any of such provisions or failing to comply with any of the mandatory requirements of this Code shall be guilty of a misdemeanor unless otherwise provided in Article 1, Chapter 1, Division 17 of the Vehicle Code of the State, in which case violation shall be an infraction. Each such person shall be guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of any provisions of this Code, or any provisions of any Code adopted by reference by this Code, is committed, continued, or permitted by such person and shall be punishable accordingly.
Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under the provisions of this Code shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(b) 
Any person convicted of an infraction under the provisions of this Code shall be punishable for a first conviction by a fine of not more than $100, for a second conviction within a period of one year by a fine of not more than $200, and for a third or any subsequent conviction within a period of one year by a fine of not more than $500.
(c) 
In addition to the penalties provided by this section, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this Code, or the provisions of any code adopted by reference by this Code, or any subdivision, building, wiring, plumbing, or other similar activity in violation of the provisions of this Code shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be summarily abated by the City in a civil action, and each day such condition continues shall be a new and separate offense.
(d) 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, when a person under the age of 18 years is charged with a violation of this Code, and a peace officer issues a notice to appear in Superior Court to that minor, the charge shall be deemed an infraction unless the minor requests that a petition be filed under Section 601 or 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. The amount of the fine imposed shall be set by the court.
(Ord. 8, §§ I, II; Ord. 458, § 1; Ord. 535, § 1)
Whenever in this Code any act or omission is made unlawful, it shall include causing, permitting, aiding, abetting, suffering, or concealing the fact of such act or omission.
The provisions of this Code which declare certain crimes to be punishable as therein mentioned devolve a duty upon the court authorized to pass sentence to determine and impose the punishment described.
Whenever in this Code the punishment for a crime is left undetermined between certain limits, the punishment to be inflicted in a particular case shall be determined by the court authorized to pass sentence, within such limits as may be prescribed by this Code.
Every person found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this Code and sentenced to imprisonment shall be imprisoned in the County Jail.
(a) 
The amount of any fee, service charge, utility charge, license, assessment, tax, or any debt otherwise owed to the City of any nature whatsoever imposed by any provision of this Code, agreement, operation of law, or court order shall be subject to late penalties and interest as provided herein. As a general penalty, any such late or unpaid fee, service charge, utility charge, license, assessment, tax, or any debt otherwise owed to the City shall be subject to the following provisions unless subject to other specific provisions of this Code or State statute related to such penalties and interest:
(1) 
Penalty. A penalty of 10% shall be added to the unpaid amount outstanding;
(2) 
Interest. In addition to the penalty imposed, interest at the rate of 1.5% per month, or fraction thereof, on the amount outstanding, exclusive of penalties, shall be imposed from the date on which the debt owed became delinquent and shall continue to accrue until paid;
(3) 
Penalties and Interest Merged with Debt. Every penalty imposed, and such interest as accrues pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, shall become a part of the debt owed and required to be paid by the provisions of this section; and
(4) 
Appeal of Penalty and Interest Imposed. Any person aggrieved by any penalty and interest charges imposed upon them for a delinquent debt owed to the City may appeal such penalty and interest charges. To file an appeal, the person must tender full payment of the debt owed to the City, including all penalty and interest charges owed at the time of filing the appeal. The appeal procedures subject to this section shall be those appeal provisions described in Sections 3-1.507 through 3-1.509, as may be amended, of this Code. Except that in lieu of the City Council conducting the appeal hearing pursuant to Section 3-1.509, the City Manager, or their designee, shall act as the hearing officer for the appeal (the "Hearing Officer"). All decisions by the Hearing Officer shall be final and binding upon the parties.
(b) 
The amount of any fee, service charge, utility charge, license, assessment, tax, or any debt otherwise owed to the City, of any nature whatsoever imposed by any provision of this Code, agreement, operation of law, or court order shall be deemed a civil debt owed to the City. An action may be commenced in the name of the City in any court of competent jurisdiction for the collection of the amount of any such delinquent or unpaid fee, service charge, utility charge, license, assessment, tax, or any debt otherwise owed to the City, together with any penalties and interest applicable thereto as provided by this section or elsewhere in this Code. The remedy prescribed by this section shall be cumulative, and the use of an action to collect such an amount as a debt by civil action shall not bar the use of any other remedy provided by this Code or by law for the purpose of enforcing the provisions thereof.
(Ord. 25-976, 1/12/2026)
Any action challenging a final administrative order or decision of the City made as a result of a proceeding in which by law a hearing is required to be given, evidence is required to be taken, and discretion in the determination of facts is vested in the City of Artesia, or in any of its boards, commissions, officers or employees, must be filed within the time limits set forth in Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6.
(Ord. 547, § 1)
Any interested party may seek judicial review of a final City decision regarding a permit or license for an activity protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or Article 1, Section 2 of the California Constitution in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1085 or 1094.5 et seq., which the State has provided for prompt judicial review, or as otherwise provided by law or in equity. As part of that judicial review process, the City shall take the following steps that are within its control to ensure a prompt hearing and final decision in the matter:
(a) 
Expedite the preparation of any administrative record required for the matter so that it is completed no later than 20 working days from the date the record is requested, or if specific dates for completion, payment and delivery of that record are agreed upon by the parties, then it is prepared and delivered on or before those stipulated dates;
(b) 
Seek a briefing and court hearing schedule by stipulation with the petitioner or complainant, or with the court, to provide for a judicial determination of the merits within 60 days of the service of the action, or, if an administrative record is required, within 30 days of the date the record is prepared, unless in either case additional time is required to ensure sound judicial resolution of the matter in which case the City shall stipulate to or request a date for hearing that is as short as reasonably feasible; and
(c) 
Request that the court considering the matter issue a final decision and judgment in the matter promptly and without delay after the hearing or hearings on the matter so as to avoid any potential violations of the petitioner's or complainant's rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article 1, Section 2 of the California Constitution.
In the event State or Federal Statutes, court rules or other rules of judicial procedure are amended or established following the adoption of this ordinance that impose specific and applicable deadlines for judicial review of decisions involving activities protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or Article 1, Section 2 of the California Constitution, the City shall comply with the provisions of those statutes or rules to the extent inconsistent with any provision contained herein.
(Ord. 564U, § 3)
It will constitute a new and separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which a violation of, or failure to comply with, any provision or requirement of this Code is committed, continued or permitted by any person, and that person will be punished accordingly.
(Ord. 599, § 2)
In addition to other penalties provided by law, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any provision of this Code is deemed to be a public nuisance and may be summarily abated as such by the City, and each day that condition continues will constitute a new and separate offense.
(Ord. 599, § 2)