The Housing Inspector is hereby designated the public officer pursuant to G.S. Chapter 160D, Article 12. The Housing Inspector shall have all powers, duties and authority pursuant to G.S. Chapter 160A and Chapter 160D, Article 12 in addition to those powers conferred upon the Housing Inspector pursuant to this Code and who shall exercise those duties so provided for.
(A) Duties. It shall be the duty of the Housing Inspector, including but not limited to the following:
(1) To investigate and to inspect all dwellings located in the town in order to determine which dwellings are unfit for human habitation as well as to carry out the general spirit and purpose of this Code;
(2) To enforce the provisions of this Code and to take action, alone or together with other appropriate departments and agencies, public or private, as may be necessary to carry out the general spirit and purpose of this Code;
(3) To keep adequate records of all activity conducted pursuant to this Code, including, but not limited to, an inventory of those buildings, dwelling units and rooming units that do not meet the minimum standards of the fitness prescribed by this Code;
(4) To report annually to the Board of Aldermen concerning the work of his or her department, and specifically the housing section, during the preceding year; and
(5) To perform each and every duty necessary and incidental to the fulfillment of the general spirit and purpose of this Code.
(B) Powers. Pursuant to G.S. Chapter 160D, Article 12 and more specifically the additional powers of the Housing Inspector pursuant to G.S. § 160D-1210 in addition to and as provided and prescribed by this subchapter, the Housing Inspector is hereby authorized to exercise any powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the general spirit, purpose and provisions of this Code, including specifically, but not limited to, the following:
(1) To investigate the dwelling conditions in the town in order to determine which buildings are unfit for human habitation;
(2) To administer oaths, affirmations, examine witnesses and receive evidence;
(3) To enter upon premises for the purpose of making examinations and inspections in a manner that will be the least possible inconvenience to the persons in possession;
(4) To appoint and fix the duties of officers, agents and employees necessary to carry out the purpose of this Code; and
(5) To delegate any of his or her functions and powers under this Code to other officers and other agents.
(C) Records. The Housing Inspector shall keep, or cause to be kept, a record of the business of the Housing Division. The records of the Housing Division shall be open to the public inspection.
(D) No utility services. The town shall not provide (either public or private) utility services such as water, sewer, electricity, gas and the like, to any substandard building or dwelling unit which becomes vacant until the building or dwelling unit has been inspected, brought into compliance with this Code and the Building Code, and a valid certificate of compliance as required has been issued. This requirement shall not preclude the temporary use of the utility services as may be deemed necessary during construction, repair or alteration. The Housing Inspector shall be responsible for making the determination as to when the "temporary services" may be necessary.
(E) No permit. No building, plumbing, electrical, gas or other permit, as may be required, for an addition alteration or repair of an existing substandard building or dwelling unit shall be issued until a time as an inspection of the property has been made to determine the feasibility of rehabilitation of the building or dwelling unit.
(Prior Code, § HB-I-8) (Am. Ord. passed 10-11-2022)