The powers and duties of the Kenton County Code Enforcement Board or any person that may be designated by the city to enforce the provisions of this chapter shall include but not be limited to the following, all pursuant to KRS 65.8801 thru 65.8839(1).
(A) To conduct surveys and make inspections in any area of the city to determine compliance with this chapter or other ordinances he or she is empowered to enforce.
(B) To investigate all complaints made about buildings, structures, vacant lots, or other premises within the city, whether they be verbal, written, or in the form of a petition, alleging or charging that a violation of this chapter exists or that a dwelling, structure, or building is unfit or unsafe for human habitation or other occupancy.
(C) In support of police or fire authority to inspect, survey, or investigate any building, structure, dwelling, or premises between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or at any time if an emergency exists or if requested by the owner or occupant. A code enforcement officer may enter a building, structure, dwelling, or premises to inspect, survey, or investigate with the consent of the owner or occupant, in emergency situations, or when an inspection, survey, or investigation is required before a permit is issued or funding is provided by the county or is part of a licensing scheme adopted by the county. If an owner or occupant refuses to consent to entry or inspection of a building, structure, dwelling, or premises, a code enforcement officer may obtain a search warrant for this purpose from a court of appropriate jurisdiction. In addition, a code enforcement officer may obtain a search warrant to inspect several buildings or structures in a particular area as part of an area inspection policy promulgated by the city. Probable cause to issue a search warrant may be based upon the passage of time, the nature of the building (e.g., a multi-family apartment house), the condition of the entire area, or other reasonable legislative or administrative standards adopted by the county. Probable cause does not need to depend upon specific knowledge of a condition existing in a particular dwelling. A code enforcement officer conducting an inspection pursuant to this chapter shall provide identification and statement of purpose before entering any building, structure, dwelling, or premises and the person in possession or in charge of the building, structure, dwelling, or premises shall give the Joint Code Enforcement Board and his or her assistants, staff, or employees free access to such property for the purposes set forth herein.
(D) To administer oaths and affirmations, to examine witnesses, and receive evidence.
(E) To appoint and fix the duties of such officers, agents, and employees as he or she deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this code.
(F) To delegate any of his or her functions and powers under this code and other ordinances to such officers, agents, and employees as he or she designates.
(G) To seek through the appropriate judicial officer or office, such warrants that are necessary to enforce the provisions of this code and in pursuit of said warrants, make such oath or affirmation necessary in support thereof.
(H) To keep records of all complaints received, inspection reports, orders, and of other actions taken. The records shall be made available for public inspection upon request within a reasonable amount of time. The Joint Code Enforcement Board shall prepare an annual report including statistics based on the records kept.
(Ord. 1742-2017, passed 9-12-17; Am. Ord. 1808-2021, passed 12-14-21)