(A) General. The following officials are hereby designated and empowered as Code Officials who shall enforce or assist in enforcing provisions of this code: County Health Officer and County Sanitarian-Health and Sanitation; City Engineer/Building Inspector-Structure and Equipment; City Fire Inspector-Fire and Life Safety.
(B) Notices and orders. The Code Official shall issue all necessary notices or orders to ensure compliance with the code.
(C) Right of entry. The Code Official is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect. Prior to entering into a space not otherwise open to the general public, the Code Official shall make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the structure or premises, present proper identification and request entry. If requested entry is refused or not obtained, the Code Official shall pursue recourse as provided by law.
(D) Access by owner or operator. Every occupant of a structure or premises shall give the owner or operator thereof, or agent or employee, access to any part of such structure or its premises at reasonable times for the purpose of making such inspection, maintenance, repairs or alterations as are necessary to comply with the provisions of this code.
(E) Identification. The Code Official shall carry proper identification when inspecting structures or premises in the performance of duties under this code.
(F) Coordination of enforcement. Inspection of premises, the issuance of notices and orders and enforcement thereof shall be the responsibility of the Code Official so charged by the jurisdiction. Whenever inspections are necessary by any other department, the Code Official shall make reasonable effort to arrange for the coordination of such inspections so as to minimize the number of visits by inspectors, and to confer with the other departments for the purpose of eliminating conflicting orders before any are issued. A department shall not, however, delay the issuance of any emergency orders.
(G) Organization. The Code Official shall appoint such number of officers, technical assistants, inspectors, and other employees as shall be necessary for the administration of this code and as authorized by the appointing authority. The Code Official is authorized to designate any employee as deputy who shall exercise all the powers of the Code Official during the temporary absence or disability of the Code Official.
(H) Relief from personal responsibility. The Code Official, officer or employee charged with the enforcement of this code, while acting for the jurisdiction, shall not thereby be rendered liable personally, and is hereby relieved from all personal liability for any damage accruing to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of official duties. Any suit instituted against an officer or employee in the lawful discharge of duties and under the provisions of this code shall be defended by the legal representative of the jurisdiction until the final termination of the proceedings. The Code Official or any subordinate shall not be liable for costs in any action, suit or proceeding that is instituted in pursuance of the provisions of this code; and any officer of the Department of Building Inspection, acting in good faith and without malice, shall be free from liability for acts performed under any of its provisions or by reason of any act or omission in the performance of official duties in connection therewith.
(I) Official records. An official record shall be kept of all business and activities of the department specified in the provisions of this code, and all such records shall be open to public inspection at all appropriate times and according to reasonable rules to maintain the integrity and security of such records.
(Ord. CO-96-08, passed 9-23-96; Am. Ord. CO-01-5, passed 3-26-01; Am. Ord. 06-2, passed 7-13-06; Am. Ord. 14-20, passed 12-22-14)