(a) General. The building official is authorized to make or to cause to be made inspection of all structures or premises used for dwelling purposes and all secondary or accessory structures to determine whether such structures or premises conform to the provisions of this code.
(b) Types of Inspections. For on-site construction, from time to time the building official, usually upon notification from the permit holder or his agent, shall make or cause to be made any necessary inspections and shall either approve that portion of the construction as completed or shall notify the permit holder or his agent wherein the same fails to comply with this code. The building official may also choose to make random inspections at his discretion during the term of construction to review the work in progress and to verify that equipment and systems currently being installed comply with the provisions of this code. Such inspections shall be made at reasonable times during regular business hours.
(1) Foundation inspection. Commonly made after piers, trenches, or basement areas are excavated, forms erected, and any associated reinforcing steel is in place and ready for concrete. The foundation inspection shall include excavations for thickened slabs intended for the support of bearing walls, partitions, structural supports or the support of certain equipment.
(2) Drain tile, waterproofing and damp proofing. Commonly made after all foundation walls are in place and footer drains have been installed but prior to backfilling any basement or foundation wall excavation.
(3) Plumbing, mechanical, and electrical inspections. Commonly made prior to covering or concealment, before any fixtures are installed, and before any insulation is installed. These rough inspections may be performed in conjunction with a framing inspection.
(4) Frame and masonry inspection. Commonly made after the roof, masonry, all framing, draftstopping or firestopping and bracing are in place, and either together with or following the rough inspections for plumbing, mechanical and electrical work.
(5) Insulation inspection. Commonly made after all wall and ceiling batt insulation is in place, including the sealing of all windows, doors and other penetrations. Insulation shall not be installed until all rough inspections are approved.
(6) Other inspections. In addition to the called for inspections listed above the Building Department may make or require any other inspections to ascertain compliance with this code and other laws and ordinances enforced by the Building Department.
(7) Final inspection. Commonly made after all work has been completed and the structure is ready for occupancy.
(c) Notice of Violation.
(1) Whenever the building official shall find any dwelling structure or premises or part thereof to be in violation of the provisions of the Housing Code, the building official shall give or cause to be given or mailed to the owner, agent, operator or contractor of such structure or premises a written notice stating the violation therein. Such notice shall include the section of the code that is being violated, the action required to bring the violation into compliance with this code, and a stated reasonable time (not less than ten (10) days) to repair, improve or demolish the structure or premises concerned. Such delivery or mailing shall be deemed legal service if notice.
(2) If the person to whom the notice of violation is addressed cannot be found within Cuyahoga County after a reasonable and diligent search, then notice shall be sent by registered mail to the last known address of such person, and a copy of such notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the structure or premises to which it relates. Such mailing and posting shall be deemed legal service of notice.
(d) Noncompliance with Notice.
(1) Whenever the owner, agent, operator, contractor or occupant of a structure or premises fails, neglects or refuses to comply with any notice of the building official, the building official shall issue a notice to such owner, agent, operator, contractor or occupant ordering the structure or premises, or part thereof, to be vacated within such time as shall be stated in such notice, but which shall not be less than ten (10) days, except in cases of emergency; or he may advise the Law Director of the circumstances and request the Law Director to institute an appropriate action at law to compel compliance, or both. Such notice shall be delivered, mailed or posed as described in subsection (c)(1) and (2).
(2) Whenever the owner, agent, operator, contractor, or occupant of a structure or premises fails, neglects or refuses to comply with notice to vacate issued by the building official, the building official may enforce the orders of such notice of vacation and cause the structure or premises, or part thereof, to be vacated in accordance with the terms of such notice.
(3) Whenever the owner, agent, or operator of a structure fails, neglects, or refuses to comply with a notice to demolish such structure, or part thereof, or a secondary or accessory structure, issued in accordance with this Housing Code, and when such structure is determined by the building official to constitute a public nuisance in that it is dangerous or injurious to the public health, safety or welfare the building official may request the Law Director to institute legal proceedings or to take such other action as may be necessary to abate the public nuisance.
(e) Cases of Emergency. Whenever, in the opinion of the building official, the condition of a structure or premises, or part thereof, constitutes an immediate hazard to human life or health, he shall declare a case of emergency and order immediate vacation of the structure or premises, or part thereof. Such notice shall be served in the manner provided in subsection (c)(1) and (2) but shall require immediate compliance.
(f) Placards. Whenever the building official orders a structure or premises, or part thereof, to be vacated, he shall cause to be posted at each entrance to such structure or premises, or part thereof, a placard ordering such vacation. No person shall deface or remove such placard until the repairs or demolition are completed, without the written permission of the building official. No person shall enter or use any structure or premises so placarded except for the purpose of making the required repairs or demolishing the structure or premises.
(g) Expenses and Costs. Any expense or cost incurred under the provisions for demolition contained in this Housing Code shall be paid by the owner of the structure or premises. If expenses and costs are not paid by the owner of such structure or premises within thirty (30) days after written notice from the City to do so, the expenses and costs may be recovered by an action at law or may be assessed against the lands of the owner and shall become a lien thereon, and shall be collected in the manner provided by law for assessments, or shall be collected in any other manner provided by law.
(Ord. 7215-00. Passed 3-6-00.)