Sec. 19. (a) A court acting under section 17 of this chapter may impose a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) against any person if the conditions of section 18 of this chapter are met. The penalty imposed may not be substantially less than the cost of complying with the order, unless that cost exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500). The effective date of the penalty may be postponed for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days, after which the court may order the penalty reduced or stricken if it is satisfied that all work necessary to fully comply with the order has been done.

     (b) On request of the enforcement authority the court shall enter a judgment in the amount of the penalty. If there is more than one (1) party defendant, the penalty is separately applicable to each defendant. The amount of a penalty that is collected shall be deposited in the unsafe building fund.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 18-5-5.5-19 part.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.28. Amended by P.L.169-2006, SEC.68.