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Petersburg adopts civil fines for zoning violations after council debate over implementation policy
Summary
City council approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance authorizing civil penalties for zoning violations — up to $200 for the first offense and up to $500 for subsequent offenses, escalating to criminal process if fines reach $5,000 — after council discussion about the need for a written implementation policy.
The Petersburg City Council adopted an amendment April 15 to the city’s zoning ordinance permitting civil penalties for zoning violations, a tool city staff said is intended to provide an alternative to criminal prosecution for persistent or out‑of‑state property owners.
Planning Director Naomi Sayadmak told council the civil‑penalty process is designed to follow the city’s existing administrative compliance steps (30‑day notice plus 10‑day extension). If a property owner does not remedy a violation after those notices, staff may pursue civil fines instead of immediately seeking a criminal summons. Sayadmark said the…
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