Any person may file a complaint if there is any reason to believe a violation of this chapter exists. All such complaints must be in writing and shall be filed with the Zoning Officer, who shall properly record such complaint and immediately investigate.

In case any building or structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted or maintained or any building, structure or land is used in violation of this chapter or of any ordinance or regulation made under authority conferred hereby, the Zoning Officer or other proper official, in addition to other remedies, may institute any appropriate legal action or proceedings to prevent such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, conversion, maintenance or use; to restrain, correct or abate such violation; to prevent the occupancy of said building, structure or land; or to prevent any illegal act, conduct, business or use about such premises.

A.violation of any of these terms of this chapter shall be abated within five (5) days, or within as reasonable time as may be determined, after written notice has been served, either by mail or personal service.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject to penalty, as stated in the Code of the Village of Ridgefield Park.

a. Any person or entity who violates any provision of this ordinance shall be punished by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty ($1,250.00), or by imprisonment in a place provided by the municipality for the detention of prisoners not exceeding ninety (90) days), or by a period of community service not exceeding ninety (90) days. Any person who is convicted of violating this ordinance within one year of the date of a previous conviction of the same ordinance, shall be sentenced by the court to an additional fine as a repeat offender. The additional fine imposed by the court upon a person for a repeated offense shall not exceed One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty ($1,250.00) dollars, and shall be calculated separately from the fine imposed for violating the ordinance. Each day a provision of this ordinance is violated shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

b. In the event a person cannot pay the fine, the court may provide, in default of the payment of the fine, either imprisonment in the place provided by the municipality for the detention of prisoners for a period not exceeding 90 days, or a the performance of community service for a period not exceeding 90 days. All penalties for a violation of this Ordinance shall be in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, and the Code of the Village of Ridgefield Park.

c. In addition to the foregoing penalties, the municipality may enforce the provisions of this Ordinance in accordance with the provisions set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-18.

**Webmasters Note: The previous section has been amended as per Ordinance No. 05-07