A new set of fines for building violations has been finalized by the Knox City Council. Residential properties found to be in violation will now get an initial $100 fine, plus another $300 if the issue hasn’t been corrected and the fine hasn’t been paid within 30 days – and another $500 for every month after that. Fines at commercial properties range from $100 to $300 per day, depending on how long it takes to correct the problems.
Violations could include building structures that don’t conform to the zoning ordinance, failing to get a building permit, or failing to comply with the conditions of a variance. The fines are seen as a way to give “more teeth” to the city’s director of building and code compliance.
The city council passed a pair of ordinances at its most recent meeting. One outlines the enforcement of the penalties regarding zoning violations. The other incorporates the new fines into the building department’s existing fee schedule.
