Alexandria residents and businesses are facing a large increase in financial penalties for zoning violations.
On Saturday, City Council will consider a recommendation by City Manager Jim Parajon and the Department of Planning and Zoning to increase violations by hundreds, and, in some cases thousands of dollars.
“The current zoning citation monetary penalties have not been adjusted in 20 years and often do not motivate compliance with the Zoning Ordinance for repeat offenders,” City staff said in a report. “Planning and Zoning is primarily proposing to increase the monetary penalties for all classes of civil citations in order to achieve greater compliance.”
The city is also proposing to cap most civil penalties at $5,000, up from the current maximum penalty of $3,000. Additionally, staff want to codify the 10-day period to correct zoning violations by limiting civil penalties that can be issued to once every 10 days for the same violation.
“We have heard from residents frequently that the city’s fine structure is not enough of a deterrent,” Mayor Justin Wilson said. “This helps address that.”
The five classes of zoning violations are listed below:
Class One:
- Unauthorized demolition of any building or structure in a historic district or on the 100-year-old building list
- Penalties are currently $1,500 for the first violation and $1,500 for additional violations, with the maximum annual penalty being the market value of the property
- Proposed penalties would increase to $5,000 for the first offense and $5,000 for repeat offenses, with the maximum annual penalty being the market value of the property
Class Two:
- Unauthorized construction, alteration or repair of a building or structure for which a building permit is required in a local historic district or on the 100-year-old building list
- Penalties are currently $500 for the first violation, $1,000 for a second violation and $1,500 for additional violations with the maximum annual penalty of $3,000
- Proposed penalties would increase to $1,000 for the first violation, $1,500 for the second violation and $2,500 for additional violations with a maximum annual penalty of $5,000
Class Three:
- Construction, alteration or repair of a building or structure for which no building permit is required but BAR (Board of Architectural Review) review is required in a local historic district or on the 100-year-old building list
- Penalties are currently $100 for the first violation, $150 for the second violation and $500 for additional violations with a maximum annual penalty of $3,000
- Proposed penalties would increase to $200 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation and $1,000 for additional violations with a maximum annual penalty of $5,000
Class Four:
- Violation of any sign, marquee, or awning regulation in a local historic district or on the 100-year-old building list
- Penalties are currently $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second violation and $500 for additional violations with a maximum annual penalty of $3,000
- Proposed penalties would increase to $200 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation and $500 for additional violations with a maximum annual penalty of $5,000
Class Five:
- Special use permit condition violations
- Penalties are currently $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second violation and $100 for additional violations with a maximum annual penalty of $3,000
- Proposed penalties would increase to $200 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation and $500 for additional violations with a maximum annual penalty of $5,000
Speaking of late penalties, City Council also recently increased fines for late personal property tax payments.
