The City Manager shall appoint the Building Official, who is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of this chapter. The Building Official shall have the following powers and duties:
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 372.13[4])
1. Deputies. In accordance with established procedure and with the approval of the City Manager, the Building Official may appoint a chief plans examiner, a chief building inspector and other related technical officers and inspectors and other employees as shall be authorized from time to time.
2. Right of Entry. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this chapter or whenever the Building Official, or an authorized representative, has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises, any condition which makes such building or premises unsafe as defined in this chapter, the Building Official, or an authorized representative, may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the Building Official by this chapter; provided that if such building or premises be occupied, the Building Official shall first present proper credentials and request entry; and if such building or premises be unoccupied, the Building Official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If such entry is refused, the Building Official, or an authorized representative, shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry. When the Building Official, or an authorized representative, shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure entry, no owner or occupant or any other person having charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry therein by the Building Official, or an authorized representative, for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this chapter.
3. Stop Orders. Whenever any work is being done contrary to the provisions of this chapter, the Building Official may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on any persons engaged in the doing or causing such work to be done, and any such persons shall forthwith stop such work until authorized by the Building Official to proceed with the work.
4. Occupancy Violations. Whenever any building or structure or equipment therein regulated by this chapter is being used contrary to the provisions of this chapter, the Building Official may order such use discontinued and the structure (or portion thereof) vacated by notice served on any person causing such use to be continued. Such person shall discontinue the use within the time prescribed by the Building Official after receipt of such notice or make the structure (or portion thereof) comply with the requirements of this chapter.
5. Liability. The Building Official or any authorized representative charged with the enforcement of this chapter, acting in good faith and without malice in the discharge of duties, shall not thereby be personally liable for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act or omission in the discharge of such duties. Any suit brought against the Building Official or employees because of such act or omission performed by them in the enforcement of any provisions of this chapter, shall be defended by legal counsel provided by the City until final termination of the proceedings. This chapter shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility of any person owning, operating, or controlling any building or structure for any damages to persons or property caused by defects, nor shall the code enforcement agency or the City be held as assuming any such liability by reason of the inspections authorized by this chapter or any certificates of inspection under this chapter.
6. Cooperation of Other Officials. The Building Official may request, and shall receive so far as may be necessary in the discharge of any duties, the assistance and cooperation of other officials of the City.