(a)  A zoning ordinance adopted pursuant to this chapter shall provide for a penalty for any violation of the zoning ordinance, or for a violation of any terms or conditions of any action imposed by the zoning board of review or of any other agency or officer charged in the ordinance with enforcement of any of its provisions. The penalty for the violation must reasonably relate to the seriousness of the offense, and not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation, and each day of the existence of any violation is deemed to be a separate offense. Any fine shall inure to the city or town.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 45-24-60

  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • town: may be construed to include city; the words "town council" include city council; the words "town clerk" include city clerk; the words "ward clerk" include clerk of election district; the words "town treasurer" include city treasurer; and the words "town sergeant" include city sergeant. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-9

(b)  The city or town may also cause suit to be brought in the supreme or superior court, or any municipal court, including a municipal housing court having jurisdiction, in the name of the city or town, to restrain the violation of, or to compel compliance with, the provisions of its zoning ordinance. A city or town may consolidate an action for injunctive relief and/or fines under the ordinance in the superior court of the county in which the subject property is located.

History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 307, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 1, § 21.