§ 6-101. Citations and notices.

(a)

A code enforcement officer may issue a citation for any violation of this article whenever based upon personal investigation; the code enforcement officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that such a violation has occurred.

(b)

All citations issued by a code enforcement officer shall be on a form prescribed by the board of county commissioners and at a minimum shall state:

(1)

The time and date of issuance.

(2)

The name and address of the person to whom the citation is issued.

(3)

The time and date of the violation.

(4)

A brief description of the violation and the facts constituting reasonable cause.

(5)

The name of the code enforcement officer.

(6)

The procedure for the person to follow in order to pay the civil penalty or to contest the citation.

(7)

The applicable civil penalty if the person elects not to contest the citation.

(c)

All notices required by this section shall be provided to the alleged violator by certified mail, return receipt requested; by hand delivery by the sheriff or other law enforcement officer or code enforcement officer; or by leaving the notice at the violator's usual place of residence with some person of his or her family above fifteen (15) years of age, and informing such person of the contents of the notice, or by including a hearing date within the citation.

(d)

Any person who willfully refuses to sign and accept a citation issued by a code enforcement officer commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in F.S § 775.082 or § 775.083.

(e)

Each day a willful, knowing violation continues shall constitute a separate offense under the provisions of this subsection. A citation must be issued to the alleged violator for each day an alleged violation continues to exist in order for a separate fine to be imposed.

(f)

A person cited for a violation pursuant to this section is deemed to be charged with a non-criminal infraction.

(g)

For the purpose of this subsection, a person or business organization operating on an inactive or suspended license, or operating beyond the scope of work or geographical scope of the license is not duly licensed.

(h)

Lake County may issue a stop-work order for all unlicensed work on a project upon finding probable cause to believe that construction work which requires licensing is being performed without a current valid license.

(Ord. No. 2016-04, § 2, 2-2-16)