(A) Inspection. The Building Inspector is authorized to make or cause to be made inspections of all structures or premises used for dwelling purposes and all accessory structures to determine whether such structures or premises conform to the provisions of this code.
(B) Right of entry. Upon presentation of proper credentials, the Building Inspector may enter at all reasonable times (or at such other times as may be necessary in an existing emergency) any tenant-occupied dwelling or premises in the village to perform any duty imposed on him by this chapter. Owner-occupied dwellings may not be entered without the owner's permission.
(C) Notice of violation.
(1) Whenever the Building Inspector shall find any dwelling structure or premises, or any part thereof, to be in violation of the provisions of this code, the Building Inspector shall give or cause to be given or mailed to the owner, agent, or operator of such structure or premises a written notice stating the violation therein. Such notice shall order the owner, agent, or operator, within a stated reasonable time (but not less than ten days), to repair, improve, or demolish the structure or premises concerned. Such delivery or mailing shall be deemed legal service of notice.
(2) If the person to whom a notice of violation is addressed cannot be found within the county after a reasonable and diligent search, then notice shall be sent by registered mail to the last known address of such person, and a copy of such notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the structure or premises to which it relates. Such mailing and posting shall be deemed legal service of notice.
(D) Noncompliance with notice.
(1) Whenever the owner, agent, occupant, or operator of a structure or premises fails, neglects, or refuses to comply with any notice of the Building Inspector, the Building Inspector shall issue a notice to such owner, agent, occupant, or operator ordering the structure or premises, or part thereof, to be vacated within such time as shall be stated in such notice, but which shall be not less than ten days, except in cases of emergency, or he may advise the Village Attorney of the circumstances and request the Village Attorney to institute an appropriate action at law to compel compliance, or both. Such notice shall be delivered, mailed, or posted in the same manner as provided in division (C) above.
(2) Whenever the owner, agent, operator, or occupant of a structure or premises fails, neglects, or refuses to comply with a notice to vacate issued by the Building Inspector, the Building Inspector may enforce the orders of such notice of vacation and cause the structure or premises, or part thereof, to be vacated in accordance with the terms of such notice.
(3) Whenever the owner, agent, or operator of a structure fails, neglects, or refuses to comply with a notice to demolish such structure, or a part thereof, or a secondary or appurtenant structure, issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, and when such structure is determined by the Building Inspector to constitute a public nuisance in that it is dangerous or injurious to the public health, safety, or welfare, the Building Inspector may request the Village Attorney to institute legal proceedings or to take such other action as may be necessary to abate the nuisance. The Building Inspector shall further give notice informing the owner, agent, or operator of such determination and action. Such notice shall be given in the same manner as provided in division (C) above.
(E) Placards. Whenever the Building Inspector orders a structure or premises, or part thereof, to be vacated, he shall cause to be posted at each entrance to such structure or premises, or part thereof, a placard ordering such vacation. No person shall deface or remove such placard until the repairs or demolition are completed, without written permission of the Building Inspector. No person shall enter or use any structure or premises so placarded except for the purpose of making the required repairs or demolishing the structure or premises.
(F) Expenses and costs. Any expense or cost incurred under the provisions for demolition contained in this code shall be paid by the owner of the structure or premises. If expenses and costs of demolition are not paid by the owner of the structure or premises within 30 days after written notice from the village to do so, the expenses and costs may be recovered by an action at law or may be assessed against the lands of the owner and shall become a lien thereon, and shall be collected in the manner provided by law for assessments.
(G) Right of appeal. The owner, agent, or operator of any structure or premises shall have the right to appeal from any order of, or written notice issued by, the Building Inspector, or from any notice of a revocation of a certificate of occupancy within 30 days from the date such notice was given or mailed or order issued, and to appear before the Board at a time and place fixed by the Board, to show cause why he should not comply with such notice. Such appeal must be in writing. Failure to file a written appeal with the Board within the time prescribed herein shall constitute a waiver of the right to appeal. Filing of an appeal from any such notice shall suspend action on enforcement of such notice until the appeal is acted upon by the Board.
(H) Certificate of occupancy required.
(1) On and after January 1, 1983, no owner, agent, or person in charge of any dwelling structure shall rent or lease such structure or any part thereof for residential occupancy nor shall a residential property be sold unless the owner thereof or the seller thereof holds a valid certificate of occupancy issued by the Building Inspector for such structure.
(2) Application for a certificate of occupancy required by the provisions of this chapter shall be made by supplying the information and data to determine compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations for the existing use or occupancy or the intended use or occupancy on forms supplied by the Building Inspector. The Building Inspector may require the submission of an affidavit stating such information, and he may cause a general inspection of the structure or premises to be made. Such certificate shall not be valid beyond the last day of December of the calendar year for which the certificate is issued.
(3) The Building Inspector shall have the power to revoke a certificate of occupancy if any false statement shall be made by the applicant in connection with the issuance of such certificate, or for noncompliance of a structure or its use with the requirements of this chapter, or if the owner, agent, or person in charge of a structure shall refuse to comply with any provisions of this chapter required to be observed by him.
(4) No certificate of occupancy may be issued unless the building and premises have been inspected.