What are the penalties for zoning violations? Do zoning cases ever wind up in court?
If OZA issues a Civil Citation for a zoning violation, the penalties are $50.00 for the first offense, $100.00 for the second offense, $200.00 for the third offense and $500 for each subsequent offense. It is important to note that a fine may be imposed for each day a violation exists and that each day a violation exists is a separate offense. The failure to correct a violation after expiration of the time period for correction stated in a citation is a separate offense. Some zoning cases are resolved in the courts when OZA cannot achieve voluntary compliance or when OZA actions are first affirmed by the Board of Zoning Appeals but later appealed to the courts.
