(a) An exterior inspection shall occur once each year per rental dwelling unit.
(b) Where the Zoning Inspector or his/her authorized representative, after inspection of a rental property, rental dwelling unit(s), rental rooming unit or premises determine that such a rental dwelling unit, rental rooming unit or premises does not comply with the minimum standards as set forth in the Zoning Ordinances, the Zoning Inspector or his/her authorized representative shall issue a Notice of Complaint to the owner of said rental property, rental dwelling unit(s), rental rooming unit or premises.
(c) The Notice of Complaint can be issued by mail or in person by the Zoning Inspector or his/her authorized representative. The notice shall contain a description of all violations and their corresponding code references, as well as prescribed time frame for the property owner to remedy said violations and bring the property into compliance with the Zoning Codes of the City. The prescribed time frame for a property owner to bring their property into compliance shall be determined by the Zoning Inspector but shall be no less than twenty four (24) hours, and no more than 30 days. Any requests for additional time shall be left to the discretion of the Zoning Inspector.
(d) Once the prescribed time frame to bring a property into compliance with the Zoning Codes of the City has expired, the Zoning Inspector shall inspect the property to ensure compliance of the law.
(e) If the property is in compliance, the case will be closed immediately.
(f) If the Zoning Inspector notes that said violations still exist and no just cause given as the why the violations have not been remedied, a notice of violation shall be issued. The notice shall contain a description of all violations and their corresponding code references.
(1) A property owner issued a notice of violation shall:
A. Any an administrative fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) to the rental zoning office within ten (10) days of the issuance of the notice of violation as a settlement and compromise of the claim against the accused; and
B. Correct, repair, or rectify the violation(s) resulting in the issuance of the notice of violation no less than twenty four (24) hours and not more than ten (10) days.
(2) If the accused fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (1) herein.
A. The notice of violation may be converted to a complaint or notice to appear which shall be filed with the Municipal Court and the accused shall be subject to prosecution and the fines and penalties authorized by law; or
B. Additional notices of violation may be issued and additional administrative fees shall apply; or
C. If the property in question should further deteriorate to become a health hazard or nuisance to adjoining/adjacent properties, the City shall have the right to correct the problem and assess the property owner for all expenses incurred. The Commissioner of Water shall not furnish water to any rental property, dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit or premises unless the owner of said rental property, dwelling, dwelling unit or premises complies with the requirements of this section.
(g) The Zoning Inspector may determine, at his discretion, the validity of just cause referred to in subsection (f) of this section.
(Ord. 7552-07. Passed 12-17-07.)