(A) It shall be the duty of the Inspection Department to enforce all of the provisions of this chapter and of the regulatory codes adopted herein and to make all inspections necessary to determine whether or not the provisions of this chapter and the codes are being met. The North Carolina State Building Code, Volume I, General Construction and the North Carolina Uniform Residential Building Code shall be enforced by the Building Inspector. The North Carolina Plumbing Code shall be enforced by the Plumbing Inspector. The North Carolina Heating Code shall be enforced by the Heating-Air Conditioning Inspector. The North Carolina State Electrical Code shall be enforced by the Electrical Inspector.
(B) Other duties and responsibilities of the Inspection Department and of the inspectors therein shall be to enforce within the town, state and local laws relating to: the construction of buildings and other structures; the installation of such facilities as plumbing systems, electrical systems, heating systems, refrigeration systems and air-conditioning systems; the maintenance of buildings and other structures in a safe, sanitary and healthful condition; and other matters that may be specified by the Council. These duties shall include the receipt of applications for permits and the issuance or denial of permits, the making of any necessary inspections in a timely manner, the issuance or denial of certificates of compliance, the issuance of orders to correct violations, the bringing of judicial actions against actual or threatened violations, the keeping of adequate records and any other actions that may be required in order adequately to enforce those laws. The Council shall have the authority to enact reasonable and appropriate provisions governing the enforcement of those laws.
(G.S. § 160A-412)
(C) Inspectors are also authorized, empowered and directed to enforce all the provisions of this chapter and the regulatory codes herein adopted.
(D) Inspectors shall have the right of entry on any premises within the jurisdiction of the Inspection Department, at all reasonable hours, for the purpose of inspection or other enforcement action, upon presentation of proper credentials.
(G.S. § 160A-420)
(E) Whenever any building or structure or part thereof is being demolished, constructed, reconstructed, altered or repaired in a hazardous manner or in substantial violation of any state or town building law or in a manner that endangers life or property, the appropriate inspector may order the specific part of the work that is in violation or presents such a hazard to be immediately stopped. Such order shall be in writing to the person doing the work and shall state the specific work to be stopped, the specific reasons therefor and the conditions under which the work may be resumed.
(1) The owner or builder may appeal from a stop order involving alleged violation of the State Building Code or any approved local modification thereof to the North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance within a period of five days after the order is issued. Notice of appeal shall be given in writing to the Commissioner of Insurance, with a copy to the Town Inspector. The Commissioner of Insurance shall promptly conduct a hearing at which the appellant and the Inspector shall be permitted to submit relevant evidence and shall rule on the appeal as expeditiously as possible. Pending the ruling by the Commissioner of Insurance on an appeal no further work shall take place in violation of a stop order.
(2) Appeals from a stop order based on violation of any other town ordinance relating to buildings shall be taken to the local official designated by the town and shall be taken, heard and decided in the same manner as prescribed herein for appeals to the Commissioner. Violation of a stop order shall constitute a misdemeanor.
(G.S. § 160A-421)
(1992 Code, § 150.51)