The Code Enforcement Officer shall have the following powers, duties, and functions:
(A) Under general administrative direction, the Code Enforcement Officer shall: provide staff assistance in the administration of the subdivision and zoning regulations, enforce city nuisance ordinances, conduct field checks of occupation licenses, administer and enforce the building, housing, and fire codes and ordinances; and do related work as required. The Codes and Planning Administrator shall be responsible for supervising the Code Enforcement Officer and such other personnel as may be provided for in the office, pursuant to the personnel job descriptions approved by the city council and the mayor.
(Am. Ord. 7-96, 8-6-96)
(B) Nuisance enforcement. The code enforcement office shall: interpret and enforce the provisions of Chapter 50, Nuisances of this code including:
(1) Receive both oral and written nuisance complaints.
(2) Investigate and respond to complaints.
(3) Issue abatement notices to owners or occupants as necessary.
(4) Follow-up abatement notices.
(5) Secure agreement for private mowing of weeds.
(C) Occupational licenses. The code enforcement office shall:
(1) Cooperate with city clerk to keep records up to date and to perform field checks as requested.
(2) Cooperate with police department in enforcement of the regulatory occupation licenses.
(D) Subdivision regulations. The code enforcement office shall:
(1) Meet with public on regular basis to answer questions about what information is necessary for subdivision plat approval.
(2) Communicate with utilities, health department and other city departments about approval of particular plats.
(3) Assist the city engineer in the technical review of plats, noting all errors and omissions to the applicant prior to consideration by the commission.
(4) Notify adjacent property owners when preliminary plat consideration is to take place and when zoning variances are requested.
(5) Notify developers when their items will be on the agenda.
(6) Notify property owners concerning action taken on their plats by the commission.
(7) Meet with surveyors, others, to determine answers to their question about past action by the commission.
(8) Designate house numbers for new lots and existing lots based on the city house numbering system.
(9) Review development plans for conformity with city regulations.
(10) Answer questions for and meet with potential developers.
(11) Work with county court clerk to insure proper commission action of subdivision in the three-mile county limit.
(12) Plats to be approved must be dated, fees collected.
(13) Approved plats must be organized to easy-to-find filing system.
(14) Dates for expiration of improvement bonds must be kept, with reminder notices sent to all effected parties.
(15) Commission minutes must be checked for errors.
(16) Extensive requirements for conditional use permits must be met.
(E) Zoning ordinances. The code enforcement office shall:
(1) Answer initial inquiries from zone change applicants.
(2) Distribute inquiries from zone change applicants.
(3) Determine past action on the particular property under consideration.
(4) Send letters to adjacent property owners about public hearings.
(5) Prepare, publish notice of public hearings.
(6) Research zoning maps for past designations.
(7) Work with attorneys for applicants and groups of citizens.
(8) Review comprehensive plan for needed changes.
(9) Insure continuity in city planning goals and objectives.
(10) Zoning map must be updated periodically, with changes by council action.
(11) Agenda items must be set for zoning commission and board of adjustment meetings.
(12) Enforce the sign provisions of the zoning ordinance, including keeping a register of signs permitted.
(F) Code enforcement. The code enforcement office shall:
(1) Review building permit applications and issue same.
(2) Check plans and specifications to city codes and inspect.
(3) Perform housing code inspections and may initiate condemnation procedures.
(4) Issue occupancy certificates and demolition permits.
(5) Answer inquiries from the public concerning code requirements.
(6) May assist developers with informal review of plats prior to official submittal to the planning commission.
(7) Conduct fire safety inspection in conjunction with the fire department.
(8) Perform related functions as instructed or required.
(G) General duties. The code enforcement office shall:
(1) Coordinate and cooperate with other city agencies in reviewing various proposed public facilities.
(2) Prepare special plans and research topics as necessary or directed.
(3) Prepare annexation research on boundaries, names, and addresses of owners and residences, official notifications.
(4) May provide general assistance to the city administrator in preparing grant applications and coordination of economic development activities.
(5) Provide technical staff support to the planning and zoning commission and board of adjustments.
(Ord. No. 1.86, § 1, 2-18-86; Ord. No. 11.87, § 1, 10-20-87; Am. Ord. No. 7-96, 8-6-96)
Cross references:
Building Code, Chapter 71; Electrical Code, Chapter 72; Fire Protection and Prevention, Chapter 74; Housing, Chapter 70; Nuisances, Chapter 50; Planning Commission, Chapter 80; Streets and Sidewalks, Chapter 41;