What happens when you ignore a violation notice

In lieu of or in addition to enforcement pursuant to § 18-7.3 , if the building official determines that any person is not complying with a notice of violation, the building official shall serve, pursuant to § 18-7.1 (c), a notice of order to the persons responsible for the violation. (a) Contents of the notice of order. (1) In addition to any other information or requirements deemed appropriate by the building official, the notice of order must include a copy of the applicable notice of violation issued by the building official for the violation. (2) The notice of order may require the persons responsible for the violation to do any or all of the following: (A) Correct the violation at the person’s own expense before a date specified in the order; or (B) Except as provided in subsection (d)(2), pay a civil fine not to exceed: (i) $3,000 in the manner, at the place, and before the date specified in the order; and (ii) $3,000 per day for each day in which the violation persists beyond the date specified in subparagraph (i), in the manner and at the time and place specified in the order. In determining the appropriate penalties, the building official may take into consideration whether the person responsible for the violation is a person with a history of making false statements. (3) The notice of order must advise the persons responsible for the violation that the order will become final 30 calendar days after the date the notice of order was served on the persons responsible for the violation. The order must also advise that the building official’s action may be appealed to the building board of appeals. (b) Effect of the notice of order—right to appeal. The provisions of the order issued by the building official under this section will become final 30 calendar days after the date the notice of order is served to the persons responsible for the violation pursuant to § 18-7.1 (c). The persons responsible for the violation may appeal the order to the building board of appeals as provided in Chapter 16; provided that an appeal to the building board of appeals will not stay any provision of the notice of order. The appeal must be received in writing on or before the date on which the order becomes final. (c) Judicial enforcement of the notice of order. The building official may institute a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction for the enforcement of any notice of order served to the persons responsible for the violation pursuant to § 18-7.1 (c). Where a civil action has been instituted to enforce the civil fine imposed by the notice of order, the building official need only show that the notice of violation and the notice of order were served, that a civil fine was imposed, the amount of the civil fine imposed, and that the fine imposed has not been paid. (d) Three orders within a three-year period. If a person incurs three final orders under this section within a period of three years relating to a single-unit or two-unit dwelling, as those terms are defined in § 21-10.1 , then: (1) For a period of three years after the date the third order becomes final, the building official may not accept any application for a permit under this chapter from the person; and (2) The civil fine for any subsequent violation by the person within three years after the date the third order became final will be $10,000. The building official may not reduce or waive any portion of the civil fine issued pursuant to this subdivision. A notice of order that has been appealed will be deemed final when it has been sustained upon appeal. Any person who has incurred three final orders under this section within a three-year period may not circumvent the application of this subsection through the use of third persons, including employees and agents, and any third person knowingly aiding a person in the circumvention of this subsection shall be subject to the fine prescribed in subdivision (2). (e) Nothing in this section will preclude the building official from seeking any other remedy available by law.