a. The Fire Chief, or designee, shall enforce and administer the provisions of KRS Chapter 227, Kentucky Standards of Safety, or other ordinances of the City with respect to fire hazard.
b. When any Fire Code Official shall find in any building, or upon any premises or other place, a deficiency of the Standards of Safety or other ordinances of the City with respect to fire hazards, the Fire Code Official shall give to the owner or representative a written “Notice of Deficiency.” In the event such owner or representative cannot be found at the premises, the notice shall be mailed to the address of the owner of the premises as set out in the Warren County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) Office.
c. When a deficiency of this Chapter is observed and the “Notice of Deficiency” is issued, the notice shall comply with the following format:.
1. Shall be in writing, and an email of the Notice of Deficiency shall be considered written notice.
2. Include a description of the property sufficient for identification.
3. Include reasons why a Notice of Deficiency is being issued.
4. Identify that a notice period of up to thirty (30) calendar days is being given to bring the property into compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.
5. Include an explanation of the owner’s right to seek modification, clarification, or withdrawal of the Notice of Deficiency by contacting the issuing inspector.
d. At the end of the notice period, a follow up inspection (2nd inspection) will be conducted. Uncorrected violations after the 2nd inspection will be turned over to the Prevention Division. A Fire Code Official will request the owner to submit a plan of repair within seven (7) calendar days and issue a second notice period of up to an additional thirty (30) calendar days to correct the deficiency.
e. If deficiencies remain uncorrected after the second notice period, the inspector shall assess a fee against the property owner to recover the cost of each additional inspection according to the following schedule:
1. Third inspection fee - $100
2. Fourth inspection fee - $200
3. Fifth and subsequent inspection fee - $500
f. Inspection fee invoices will be mailed by the Finance Department to the owner as it appears on the property valuation administrator database. Fees collected under the provision of this Section shall be payable to the City of Bowling Green. No license, permit, or other approvals shall be granted by the City to any person or business entity who is delinquent in the payment of any inspection fees. In addition, the City Attorney, in cooperation with the Fire Chief, or designee, may pursue collection in the appropriate Court of law.
g. If during a follow up inspection or any subsequent inspection for the same violation the Fire Code Official finds an additional violation not found during the initial inspection, such violation shall be treated as an initial violation, for which the property owner shall be issued a Notice of Deficiency.
h. Violations that remain uncorrected shall be referred to additional agencies to assist in correcting the deficiencies.
(Ord. BG2021-15, 5/4/2021)