It is unlawful for an owner of any land to be subdivided within the municipality or county or his agent to transfer, sell, agree to sell, or negotiate the sale of land by reference to, exhibition of, or by other use of a plat of subdivision of such land before the plat has been approved by the planning commission and recorded in the office of the clerk of the court.

A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than three years, or both. The description of metes and bounds in the instrument of transfer or other document used in the process of selling or transfer does not exempt the transaction from these penalties. The municipality or county may enjoin the transfer, sale, or agreement by appropriate action.