(A) Creation. The position of Building Inspector is hereby created.
(B) Appointment. The Building Inspector shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of his or her initial contract by City Council, and may be removed by the Mayor at will, except as otherwise provided by statute or ordinance. Any subsequent contract that changes the rate of compensation is subject to disapproval by City Council.
(C) Absence. During temporary absence or disability of the Building Inspector, the Mayor, with approval of City Council, shall designate an acting Building Inspector.
(D) Duties.
(1) The Building Inspector shall receive applications required by the Building Code, issue permits, and furnish prescribed certificates. He or she shall examine premises for which permits have been issued, and shall make necessary inspections to see that the provisions of law are complied with and that construction is prosecuted safely. He or she shall enforce all provisions of the Building Code. He or she shall, when requested by proper authority or when the public interest so requires, make investigations in connection with matters referred to in the Building Code and render written reports on the same. To enforce compliance with law, to remove illegal or unsafe conditions, to secure the necessary safeguards during construction, or to require adequate exit facilities in buildings and structures, he or she shall issue such notices or orders as may be necessary.
(2) Inspections required under the provisions of the Building Code shall be made by the Building Inspector or his or her duly-appointed assistant. The Building Inspector may accept reports of inspectors of recognized inspection services, after investigation of their qualifications and reliability. No certificate called for by any provision of the Building Code shall be issued on such reports unless the same are in writing, and certified to by a responsible officer of such service.
(3) The Building Inspector shall keep comprehensive records of applications, permits issued, certificates issued, inspections made, reports rendered, and notices or orders issued. He or she shall retain on file copies of required plans and all documents relating to building work so long as any part of the building or structure to which they relate may be in existence.
(4) All such records shall be open to public inspection at the stated office hours, but shall not be removed from the office of the Building Inspector without his or her written consent.
(5) The Building Inspector shall make written reports to the Mayor once each month, or more often if requested, including statements of permits and certificates issued and orders promulgated.
(E) Liability. The Building Inspector or any employee charged with the enforcement of the Building Code, acting for the city in good faith and without malice in the discharge of his or her duties, shall not thereby render himself or herself liable personally, and he or she is hereby relieved from all personal liability for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or by reason of any act or omission performed by him or her in the enforcement of any provisions of the Building Code. He or she shall be defended by the Legal Department of the city until final termination of the proceedings.
(F) Cooperation. The Building Inspector may request and shall receive, so far as may be necessary in the discharge of his or her duties, the assistance and cooperation of other city officials.
(G) Right of entry. The Building Inspector, in the discharge of his or her official duties and upon proper identification, shall have authority to enter any building, structure, or premises at any reasonable hour.
(H) Oath, bond. No person shall be appointed or act as Building Inspector unless he or she has taken the oath required by Section 228 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, specifying the position of Building Inspector, and has provided a bond, if required, in the sum as established by City Council, with corporate surety authorized to transact business in Kentucky, and conditioned upon the performance of the duties specified herein.
(I) Compensation. The annual compensation of the Building Inspector shall be in the amount as established by contract and as budgeted by City Council. Any subsequent contract that changes the rate of compensation is subject to disapproval by City Council.
(Am. Ord. 1609-2010, passed 8-10-10)