§ 86-103. Compliance.

(a)

Failure of the owner to display the proper number after notice shall result in removal of the unofficial number and display of the official number at the owner's expense.

(b)

If any resident shall fail or refuse to comply with any provision of this article, such resident shall be issued a citation by any sworn law enforcement officer, member of the fire department or inspection department, directing that the property be brought in compliance within 15 days of the receipt of the citation. If, after 15 days, proof of compliance with the provisions of this article has not been presented to the finance department at town hall, this shall subject the resident to a civil penalty of $50.00.

(c)

For purposes of implementing and complying with the provisions of this section, each sworn law enforcement officer or member of the fire department who issues an initial citation shall file a copy with the finance department. If the property is not brought into compliance within 15 days of the receipt of the citation by the resident, the finance department shall send a second notice to the resident. Both the citation and second notice shall contain a summary of the provisions of this section, setting forth the penalty for failure to comply after the citation and for the failure to comply and/or pay the penalty after the second notice.

(d)

If within 15 days after having received a second notice as provided herein, the resident shall provide proof of compliance with this section to the finance department at town hall, the penalty shall not exceed $50.00. However, if the property is still not brought in compliance within 15 days of the receipt of the second notice by the resident, each day's continuing violation thereafter shall be a separate and distinct offense.

(e)

Citations issued pursuant to this section shall be served in accordance with G.S. 160A-445.

(f)

If the penalty prescribed by this section is not paid within the appropriate period of time, the town may initiate a civil action in the nature of a debt to collect the penalties prescribed.

(g)

For purposes of this section, the term "resident" means any person owning, residing on, or renting a piece of real property having a separate property number.

(Code 1985, § 102.47; Code 1999, § 82-120)