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U uiiii aV FACE OiA responsibility of the owner. (3) No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another or others for occupancy or use or cause or allow to be used as a human habitation, any dwelling or building which exhibits any of the conditions described in Section 4-86(B) "Unfit conditions" and has been ordered vacated in accordance with Section 4-83(D)(4). The removal, defacing, moving, mutilating or covering of the placard by any person is prohibited and shall constitute a separate offense. (4) The Inspector shalt determine that a residential building is unfit for human habitation if he finds that any of the conditions contained in Section 4-86(B) "Unfit conditions." Exist in such building. (5) Each day that any such condition or failure, neglect, refusal or occupancy continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. (b) Criminal Penalty (1) A violation of this article shall be a misdemeanor as provided in North Carolina General Statutes. Section 14-4. (2) '1 he Inspector may seek, from an appropriate official of the general court of justice, an arrest warrant or other process initiating criminal charges against any person who violates this article. (c) Civil Penalties (1) Violation of this ordinance may also subject the owner or party of interest to a penalty of fifty dollars (S50.00) per day for each day and every day the violation exists, not to exceed $3,000. T he penalty shall be payable to Lee County and shall be paid at 226 Carthage St. Failure of the owner or parry of interest to pay the penalty within twelve (12) days shall result in Lee County initiating a civil action to collect the penalty. (d) Equitable Remedies (1) phis article may be enforced by an appropriate equitable remedy issued from a court of competentjurisdiction. In such case, the general court of justice shall have jurisdiction to issue such orders as may be appropriate and it shall not be a defense to the application of the cotnuy that there is an adequate remedy at law. (2) When a aiolation of this article occurs, the county may apply to the appropriate division of the general court ofjustice for a mandatory or prohibitory injunction commanding the defendant to correct the unlawful condition upon or cease the unlawful use of the property. In addition to an injunction- the come may enter an order of abatement as part of the judgment in the case- An order of abatement may direct that buildings or other structures on the property be closed, demolished or removed. that fixtures, furniture or other movable property be removed from buildings on the propertv, that grass and weeds he cut. that improvements or repairs be made, or that other action be taken that is necessary to bring the property into compliance scith the article- If the defendant fails or refuses to comply with an injunction or with an order of abatement within the time allowed ev the court, he may be cited for contempt and the county nrrv execute the order of abatement. The county shall have a lien on the properi~ for the cost of executing an order of abatement. The defendant may secure cancellation of an order of abatement by paying all costs of the proceedings and posting a bond for compliance with the order. The bond shall be given wiih sureties opproved by the iud_e before syhom the matter is heard and shall be continued on the defendant's full compliance kith the terms of the order of abatement within a time fixed by C.nrrdocAsrA;ulministritixcl11cs\ordinancctmhordinance-Iccco-updatcd 9/15/03 S