Can the cityfine me for taking down an illegally built garage without first getting a demolition permit evenif the garagewas falling down?

Can the cityfine me for taking down an illegally built garage without first getting a demolition permit evenif the garagewas falling down?

I bought a property that had been sold at a tax auction. It had an illegal metal garage on it that was falling over. I removed the structure. The property had been abandoned and in possession of the city for 2 years. Despite neighbor complaints the city did not remove the garage or clear the garbage. Now that I cleaned the place and removed the garage the city wants to fine me for not getting a demolition permit. Can they do that? Can they fine me for not getting a permit for an illegal structure that was falling down that they failed to take down when they had it?

Asked on February 17, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Illinois

Answers:

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