Odessa ends jail time for permit violations

ODESSA — Building without a permit will still draw a fine, but it will no longer jail time.

The Town Council on Monday, Oct. 12, approved rewriting the permit ordinance to eliminate jail as a penalty for a violation.

Existing Ordinance 520. Section 9 sets a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail, or both.

That language was never put on the bail schedule.

Police Chief Ericka Rose said she does not believe the town can criminalize a missed building permit.

A motion was made to amend the ordinance to remove the gross-misdemeanor and jail-time language and set the fine at $500.

The amended o...