§ 8.22.870. Civil Remedies.

A.

Any person or organization who believes that a property Owner or Tenant Household has violated provisions of this article or the program rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this article shall have the right to file an action for injunctive relief and/or actual damages against such party. Whoever is found to have violated this article shall be subject to appropriate injunctive relief and shall be liable for damages, costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. Treble damages shall be awarded for a property Owner's willful failure to comply with the payment obligation established under this article.

B.

Nothing herein shall be deemed to interfere with the right of a property Owner to file an action against a Tenant or non-Tenant third party for the damage done to said Owner's property. Nothing herein is intended to limit the damages recoverable by any party through a private action.

C.

The City Attorney may bring an action against a property Owner that the City Attorney believes has violated provisions of this article or any program rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this article. Such an action may include injunctive relief and recovery of damages, penalties—including any administrative citations or civil penalties—treble damages, and costs and reasonable attorney's fees. The City Attorney has sole discretion to determine whether to bring such an action.

(Ord. No. 13468, § 2, 1-16-2018)