§ 373. Certain cities; sanitary codes; violations and penalties. 1. The sanitary code of a city having a population of less than one hundred seventy-five thousand may provide for specific penalties for any violation thereof not exceeding one thousand dollars for each offense.
2. Except where specific penalty is so provided for, any person who violates or who fails to comply with any provision of the sanitary code, or of any rule, regulation, order or special direction duly made thereunder or authorized by this article, shall forfeit and pay to the city a penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars for each and every offense.
3. All suits and proceedings authorized by this article or to recover any penalty provided for in the sanitary code, or by this article, shall be brought by and in the name of the city, but no fees or costs shall be demanded or recovered from the commissioner of health or health officer of the city, or any officer thereof, in such suit or proceeding or action.
4. Any person who shall wilfully violate, neglect or refuse to comply with any provision or requirement of this article, or of any provision of the sanitary code of a city, or of any rule, regulation, order or special direction duly made thereunder, or authorized by this article shall in addition to the penalty or penalties therein or herein prescribed also be guilty of a misdemeanor.
