In this subtitle, “zoning official” means a county employee with the duty of enforcing the zoning law.

A legislative body of a county may provide a civil penalty for a zoning violation, which shall be enforced as provided in this subtitle. The legislative body may: impose a fine not exceeding $500 for each violation; establish a schedule of additional fines for each violation; and adopt procedures for the collection of the fines.

A zoning official may deliver a citation to a person who has committed a civil zoning violation. The citation shall contain: the name and address of the person charged; the nature of the violation, including the provision violated; the location and time of the violation; the amount of the fine; the manner, location, and time for payment of the fine; and notice of the cited person’s right to elect to stand trial for the violation and how to exercise that right. The citation shall bear a certification attesting to the truth of the matters set forth in the citation. The zoning official shall keep a copy of the citation.

A person who receives a citation may elect to stand trial for the violation by filing a notice of intention to stand trial with the zoning official at least 5 business days before the date set forth in the citation for the payment of fines. After receiving a notice of intention to stand trial, the zoning official shall forward the notice, with a copy of the citation, to the District Court having venue. After receiving the citation and notice, the District Court shall: schedule the case for trial; and notify the defendant of the trial date.

If a person that receives a citation for a violation fails to pay the fine by the date of payment set forth in the citation and fails to file a notice of intention to stand trial, the zoning official shall mail a notice of the violation to the person’s last known address. If the person that receives the citation does not pay or otherwise satisfy the citation within 15 days after the date the notice of violation is mailed, the person shall be subject to an additional fine not exceeding twice the amount of the original fine. If the person that receives the citation does not pay or otherwise satisfy the citation within 35 days after the notice of violation is mailed, the zoning official may request the District Court to adjudicate the violation. If the zoning official requests adjudication, the District Court shall: schedule the case for trial; and summon the defendant to appear.

In a proceeding before the District Court, a violation shall be adjudicated in the same manner and to the same extent as a municipal infraction under §§ 6–108 through 6–115 of the Local Government Article.

All fines, penalties, or forfeitures collected by the District Court for zoning violations shall be remitted to the county in which the zoning violation occurred. If the District Court finds that a person has committed a civil zoning violation, the person shall be liable for the costs of the court proceedings.

The governing body of a county may authorize the county attorney to seek adjudication of a civil zoning violation.

A finding by the District Court of a violation under this subtitle is not a criminal conviction and does not impose any of the civil disabilities ordinarily imposed by a criminal conviction.