A. Fire and life safety inspections shall be conducted by the Fire Chief, or his/her designee, in existing Class I structures per I.C. 36-8-17-8. Upon the discovery of a violation of the Indiana Building Code, Indiana Fire Code, Indiana Mechanical Code, Indiana Fuel Gas Code, this Fire Prevention Code, or any other Fire Safety Code of the jurisdiction, a reinspection may be necessary to confirm compliance with a notice of violation or an order issued by the Fire Chief, or his/her designee. A fee for re-inspections shall be charged as indicated below:
1. Annual inspection: zero dollars.
2. First re-inspection: zero dollars. The first re-inspection shall occur no sooner than 30 days after the annual inspection.
3. Second re-inspection: seventy-five dollars. The second re-inspection shall occur no sooner than 30 days after the first re-inspection.
4. Third and all subsequent re-inspections: two hundred and fifty dollars. The third re-inspection and subsequent re-inspections shall occur no sooner than 30 days after the second re-inspection and subsequent re-inspections.
B. The fees assessed under this section are in addition to those fines or fees that may be levied by the State of Indiana, Bartholomew County, and/or the City of Columbus.
C. The fees assessed under this section are due within 30 days from the date that the fee is assessed. Violators who fail to make payment prior to the payment due date shall be assessed an additional twenty-five dollar late fee per day for each outstanding fee and shall be subject to litigation for failure to pay an ordinance violation fee.
D. Failure to pay any fees assessed under this section or take the necessary corrective action as outlined in the notice of violation or an order issued by the Fire Chief, or his/her designee, in a timely manner will result in liens filed against the subject property and the city filing suit in Bartholomew County for payment of the civil penalty and to bring about compliance of such property.
E. In the event that litigation is required to achieve compliance or collect a fee under this chapter, the violator will be responsible for any and all related court costs including, but not limited to, filing fees, service of process fees, attorney fees, and other fees associated with the litigation. (Ord. 9-2022, 2022)