MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Judiciary, Division B
By: Senator(s) Thompson, Carter
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 17-1-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE MUNICIPALITIES TO ASSESS ADMINISTRATIVE OR CIVIL PENALTIES FOR ZONING VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 17-1-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
17-1-27. (1) Any person, firm or
corporation who shall knowingly and * * * willfully violate the terms,
conditions or provisions of a zoning ordinance adopted under the authority of
Sections 17-1-1 through 17-1-25, inclusive, for violation of which no other
criminal penalty is prescribed, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon
conviction therefor shall be sentenced to pay a fine * * * not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00),
and in case of continuing violations without reasonable effort on the part of
the defendant to correct same, each day the violation continues thereafter
shall be a separate offense.
(2) A municipality may, in its discretion and in lieu of assessing a misdemeanor criminal penalty for a violation of such zoning ordinance, assess an administrative or civil penalty not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00).
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.