58-03-14. Violation of zoning regulations and restrictions - Remedies - Penalties

58-03-14. Violation of zoning regulations and restrictions - Remedies - Penalties 1. If any building or structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted, or maintained, or if any building, structure, or land is used, in violation of any regulation or restriction made under the authority conferred by sections 58-03-11 through 58-03-15, the proper local authorities of the township or of the municipality in relation to which such zoning regulation or restriction is established, or any affected citizen or property owner, in addition to other remedies, may institute any appropriate action or proceeding: a. To prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance, or use; b. To restrain, correct, or abate such violations; c. To prevent the occupancy of the building, structure, or land; or d. To prevent any illegal act, conduct, business, or use in or about such premises. 2. If after reasonable notice and opportunity for hearing by the board of township supervisors, a property owner fails to bring a building or structure or the use of land owned by that person into compliance with a regulation or restriction made under sections 58-03-11 through 58-03-15, in addition to any other remedies, the board of township supervisors may impose a civil penalty of up to two thousand dollars annually against the property owner and the property. The board of township supervisors may also assess the property owner for all costs of the township in bringing the property into compliance or in instituting and prosecuting any appropriate action or proceeding under this section. Any civil penalty or assessment of costs, or both, against a property owner constitute a lien on the property and must be charged against the property and become a part of the taxes against the property for the ensuing year and must be collected in the same manner as other real estate taxes are collected and placed to the credit of the township.