MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2023 Regular Session

To: Judiciary, Division B

By: Senator(s) Thompson, Carter

Senate Bill 2308

(As Passed the Senate)

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 * * * wilfully 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 * * * of 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.