(A) The administration of this chapter shall be the responsibility of the Building Inspector. He or she will work in close cooperation with the Fire Chief, the county’s Health Department and other officials and agencies; he or she may seek their written opinions concerning the conditions of dwellings or other buildings.
(B) (1) The Building Inspector is authorized to conduct surveys and make inspections in any area of the community to determine compliance with this chapter or other ordinance he or she is empowered to enforce.
(2) The Building Inspector shall investigate all complaints, 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 building or dwelling is unfit or unsafe for human habitation or other occupancy.
(3) For the purpose of making such surveys, inspections and investigations, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized, upon identification and statement of purpose, to enter, inspect, survey and investigate at a reasonable time, or at any time if an emergency exists, or if requested by the owner or occupant, all buildings, dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units and general premises, or the person in charge thereof, shall give the Building Inspector free access to the building, dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit or general premises for the purpose of the inspection, survey or investigation.
(C) The Building Inspector shall keep records of all complaints received, inspection reports, orders and complaints issued and of other actions taken. The records shall be available for public inspection. He or she shall prepare an annual report including statistics based on the records kept.
(D) The Building Inspector or any one of his or her assistants shall not have a financial interest in the furnishing of labor, materials or appliances for the construction, alteration or maintenance of a building, except where he or she is the owner, and shall not act as an agent for real estate sales, leases or rentals.
(E) The Building Inspector and his or her assistants shall be free from personal liability for acts done in good faith in the performance of official duties.
(1989 Code, § 151.100) (Ord. 1073, passed - -1967; Am. Ord. 2871, passed 8-24-2015)