(A) Defined. For the purpose of this part, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BUILDING OFFICERS. The Building Director and all deputies and inspectors thereof.
(B) Identification. The Building Officers of the city shall be provided by the city with identification suitable to indicate their authority and office. Any Building Officer, when performing his or her respective duties, shall show identification on request or necessity. The identification shall be and remain the property of the city.
(C) Right of entry. In order to safeguard the safety, health and welfare of the public, any Building Officer is authorized to enter any structure or premises at any reasonable time for the purpose of making inspections and performing duties under this article upon showing proper identification subject to the following:
(1) If any owner, occupant or other person in charge of a structure subject to this article refuses, impedes, inhibits, interferes with, restricts or obstructs entry and free access to any part of the structure or premises where inspection authorized by this chapter is sought, the Building Director may seek, in a court of competent jurisdiction, a warrant to permit entry for purposes of enforcement of this chapter and an order that the owner and occupant or other person in charge cease and desist with the interference.
(2) Every occupant of a structure or premises shall give the owner thereof or agent of the owner access to any part of the structure or its premises at reasonable times for the purpose of making the inspections, maintenance, repairs or alterations as are necessary to comply with this code.
(D) Personal liability. When any action is taken by a Building Officer to enforce the provisions of any of the laws of the city, whether the action is taken in pursuance of the express provisions of the laws or in a case where discretionary power is given by the laws, the act shall be done in the name of, and on behalf of, the city. A Building Officer, in so acting for the city, does not thereby render himself or herself liable personally and is hereby relieved of all personal liability for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act committed or permitted, in good faith, in the discharge of the duty of the Building Officer. A suit brought against the officer, by reason thereof, shall be defended by the Law Department until final termination of the proceedings therein.
(Ord. passed 5-23-1977; Ord. 03-51, passed 11-25-2003)