(a) Who May Apply. Any owner, operator or occupant who is required to make repairs or otherwise improve his or her rental housing property and is unable to comply with this Code without having a right of access to the building or premises through or across an adjoining premises not owned by him or her or under his or her control, and the right of access has been refused the owner, operator or occupant, or the owner or person responsible for granting permission cannot be found or located, upon the filing of an affidavit setting forth such facts with the Property Maintenance Officer, the Officer shall serve a 5-day written notice of a hearing upon the owner, operator of occupant of such adjoining premises affected by the application.
(b) Hearing. On the day fixed for the hearing, the Board of Zoning Appeals shall provide an opportunity for the owner, operator or occupant of the adjoining property or properties to state why access should not be granted across the adjoining property or properties.
(c) Issuance of Certificate; Conditions. If the Board of Zoning Appeals determines that access is deemed absolutely necessary to accomplish or complete repairs or improvements necessary for compliance with this Code, then the Board shall issue a certificate of necessity, setting forth therein the person to whom the certificate shall apply, such conditions as shall be necessary to protect the adjoining property, reasonable time limits during which such certificate shall operate, precautions to be taken to avoid damages and, where the Board deems proper, a bond to be procured at the expense of any person seeking access to insure the adjoining property against damage to persons or property arising out of such right of access. The bond shall not exceed an amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), unless conditions deemed advisable by the Board appear otherwise, and the amount set shall take into consideration the extent, nature and duration of the repairs, the proximity of the improvement to the premises affected and the potential risk of damage thereto. The bond shall be filed with the Property Maintenance Officer.
(d) Procedure Where Access is Refused. Any refusal to comply with this section, or any interference with access to premises pursuant to a certificate issued hereunder, shall be a violation of this Code, and, in addition to penalties provided hereunder, the Property Maintenance Officer may, upon an affidavit, apply to the Parma Municipal Court for a warrant under the procedure set forth in Section 1490.16(b), authorizing access to the premises under appropriate conditions and circumstances as provided under division (c) of this section.
(Ord. 122-01. Passed 12-19-01.)