Transfer of land before recording - forfeiture.

Whoever, being the owner or agent of the owner of any land within or without a municipal corporation, willfully transfers any lot, parcel, or tract of such land from or in accordance with a plat of a subdivision as specifically defined in this chapter, before the plat has been recorded in the office of the county recorder, shall forfeit and pay the sum of not less than ten nor more than five hundred dollars for each lot, parcel, or tract of land so sold. The description of the lot, parcel, or tract by metes and bounds in the deed or transfer shall not serve to exempt the seller from the forfeiture provided in this section.If the land is within a municipal corporation, the sum may be recovered in a civil action, brought in any court of competent jurisdiction by the city director of law or other corresponding official of the municipal corporation in the name of the municipal corporation and for the use of the street repair fund thereof.If the land is situated outside a municipal corporation, the sum may be recovered in a civil action, brought by the prosecuting attorney, other corresponding official, or planning commission of the county in which the land is situated, in the name of the county and for the use of the road repair fund thereof.The sale of lots, parcels, or tracts from a plat of a subdivision on which any and all areas indicated as streets or open grounds are expressly indicated as for the exclusive use of the abutting or other owners in the subdivision and not as public streets, ways, or grounds shall not serve to exempt the seller from the requirements of this chapter or from the forfeiture provided in this section.