§ 14-149. Enforcement of chapter.

(a)

Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor under G.S. 160A-175 and G.S. 14-4. Additionally, the fire chief or his designee may enforce the provisions of this article in civil court and seek any and all appropriate remedies authorized by G.S. 160A-175. Each day's continuing violation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

(b)

Compliance with the fire chief's notice of violation and order to correct.

(1)

Immediate action orders. The fire chief or his designee may issue immediate correction orders for violations of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code that constitute an imminent hazard to life and property. Failure to correct such violation within 24 hours shall result in imposition of a civil penalty in the amount of $200.00 per day, per violation, until the violation has been completely corrected and the fire chief's correction order to correct shall so state. The order shall also state that if the violation is not corrected within 24 hours, a civil complaint for collection of penalties and any unpaid fees owed under this chapter may be initiated and that other legal proceedings including criminal prosecution related to the violation may be initiated. The fire chief or his designee shall also have the authority to cause all public utilities serving the business, building, or premises where the violation takes place to be terminated, and to affect the closing of the business building or premises until such time as the violation is completely corrected, or the imminent hazard to life removed. Repeated violations shall subject the violator to higher civil penalties set forth in this article.

(2)

Other correction orders. All other correction orders issued under this article for violations that do not constitute imminent hazards shall be corrected within 30 days. Failure to correct such violations within 30 days shall result in the imposition of civil and/or criminal penalties as set out in Appendix "A" of the ordinance from which this article derives.

(Ord. No. O18-025 , § 1, 8-23-2018)