§ 7-24. Investigation of violations.

(a)

An officer is authorized to issue a citation to a person when, based upon personal investigation, the officer has reasonable cause to believe that the person has committed a civil infraction in violation of a duly enacted code or ordinance. Prior to issuing a citation, the officer shall provide notice to the violator that he has committed a violation of a code or ordinance. This notice shall state that a violation has occurred, set forth the code or ordinance violated, and shall give the violator a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty (30) days, to correct the violation. If, upon personal investigation, the violation has not been corrected within the time set by the officer, the officer is authorized to issue a civil citation to the violator. The citation shall be issued in a form consistent with F.S. ch. 162, and approved by the board of county commissioners.

(b)

If a repeat violation is found, the officer has reason to believe that the violation presents a serious threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, if the violation is irreparable or irreversible in nature, or if the violation is transient in nature, the officer does not have to provide the violator with a reasonable time period to correct the violation. A citation may be issued immediately.

(c)

Any person who willfully refuses to sign and/or accept a citation issued by an officer shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree punishable as provided in F.S. ch. 775.

(Ord. No. 08-20, § 5, 12-22-08)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 08-20, § 5, adopted Dec. 22, 2008, repealed the former § 7-24, and enacted a new § 7-24 as set out herein. The former § 7-24 pertained to similar subject matter. See the Code Comparative Table for complete derivation.