(a) Inspections; Right of Entry. Upon presentation of proper credentials, the Housing Inspector may, where permission is granted, enter at reasonable times any building, structure or premises in the City to perform any duty imposed on him by this Housing Code. If any owner, occupant, or other person in charge of a building subject to the provisions of this Housing Code, fails or refuses to permit free access and entry to the structure or premises under his control, or any part thereof, the Housing Inspector may apply to a judge of a court of record, pursuant to Ohio R. C. 2933.33(F), for a warrant of search to conduct an inspection. A warrant of search to conduct an inspection shall not be issued except upon probable cause as provided in Ohio R. C. 2933.33.
(b) Inspection Fees. A fee of five dollars ($5.00) per dwelling unit shall be collected by the Department of Building and Zoning at the time an owner or his agent requests:
(1) An inspection of his property to determine whether or not it meets the requirements of this Housing Code.
(2) A subsequent fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for reinspection of a dwelling unit shall be assessed at any time a follow-up inspection to an original inspection is requested for purposes other than code enforcement. A reinspection regarding a Housing Code certification letter shall occur not later than thirty days after the date of the first certification letter.
(3) These fees shall be for the purpose of defraying the costs of making such inspection, the cost of preparing a report thereof for the person requesting it, and the related administrative cost involved. Once a fee has been paid and the inspection has been made, the fee shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
(c) Liability. Any suit brought against any officer, agent or employee of the City as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his duties under this Code shall be defended by the City Attorney until final determination of the proceedings therein. The City shall save such officer or employee harmless from personal liability.
(d) Protection of Complainant. All records pertaining to the identification of a complainant shall be kept separate and confidential from the public record of inspection and notice of violation in regard to any structure. All other information regarding inspections and notices of violations pertaining to any structure shall be public record and available upon request.
(e) Enforcement by Housing Inspector. The Housing Inspector shall have the powers of a police officer for the purpose of enforcement of the provisions of this Housing Code, and for the purpose of enforcement of such sections of the Ohio Revised Code and the Grandview Heights General Offense Code as they expressly relate to littering.
(Ord. 89-12. Passed 5-1-89; Ord. 92-33. Passed 12-7-92.)