A. 
It is unlawful for any person to violate any provision or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this code, the Lemon Grove Development Code, or of any ordinance adopted by the city. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, a violation of any of the provisions or requirements of this code, the Lemon Grove Development Code, or any ordinance adopted by the city shall constitute a misdemeanor; provided, however, any such violation constituting a misdemeanor may, by ordinance be made an infraction or, in the discretion of the city attorney, acting in the name of the people of the State of California, be charged and prosecuted as an infraction.
B. 
Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under the provisions of this code, the Lemon Grove Development Code, or of any ordinance adopted by the city, unless provision is otherwise made, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than six months or by both fine and imprisonment. Any person convicted of an infraction under the provisions of this code, the Lemon Grove Development Code, or any ordinance adopted by the city, unless provision is otherwise made, shall be punishable by fine only as follows:
1. 
A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for a first violation;
2. 
A fine not exceeding two hundred dollars for a second violation of the same ordinance within one year;
3. 
A fine not exceeding five hundred dollars for each additional violation of the same ordinance within one year.
C. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a violation of local building and safety codes determined to be an infraction is punishable by:
1. 
A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for a first violation;
2. 
A fine not exceeding five hundred dollars for a second violation of the same ordinance within one year;
3. 
A fine not exceeding one thousand dollars for each additional violation of the same ordinance within one year of the first violation.
D. 
In addition to the penalties provided in this section, any condition caused or permitted to exist in violation of any of the provisions of this code, the Lemon Grove Development Code, or any ordinance adopted by the city, shall be deemed a public nuisance and may be, by the city attorney, abated as such, and each day that such condition continues shall be regarded as a new and separate offense.
E. 
The city attorney, as an alternative to subsections A, B, and C of this section, may redress a violation of any state or local ordinance by civil action, including, but not limited to, restraining orders, injunctions, fines, and damages. Civil action by the city attorney may also include the following in addition to any other civil remedy allowed under the laws of the state and the United States: forfeiture of any or all permits, licenses, approvals, and privileges or benefits of any nature granted by the city.
F. 
"Person," as referred to in this section, is defined in LGMC Section 1.08.030.
G. 
Citation for Infraction. As an alternative to misdemeanor prosecution, the city manager or his/her designee, or the chief of the fire department or his/her designee may issue a citation to the owner(s), occupant(s) or other person(s) deemed responsible for violating any provisions of the Lemon Grove Municipal Code. For purposes of this subsection, any such violation shall be classified as an "infraction," pursuant to California Government Code Section 36900, which section and the penalties prescribed are adopted and incorporated in this section.
(Ord. 190, 1991; Ord. 340 § 1, 2004)
Each person who violates any provision or fails to comply with any of the requirements of this code, the Lemon Grove Development Code, or any ordinance adopted by the city, shall be charged by a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation is committed, continued or permitted by any such person and shall, upon conviction, be punished accordingly. Civil penalties for failure to obtain any required permit shall begin to accrue on the first day activity subject to the permit requirement is commenced, and shall cease to accrue on the day the permit is obtained. Civil penalties for violation of any order to cease violation or notice and order to correct shall begin to accrue on the first day such order or notice is posted, and shall cease on the day the violation is actually stopped.
(Prior code § 11.117; Ord. 340 § 2, 2004)
The termination or suspension (by whatsoever means effected) of any provision of this code or any ordinance of the city does not constitute a bar to the prosecution and punishment of any act already committed in violation of the provision so terminated or suspended, unless the intention to bar such prosecution and punishment is expressly declared by an applicable provision of such code or ordinance.
(Prior code § 11.119)