(a) Building Department Established. There is established in the City the Building Department which shall be under the jurisdiction of the Building Inspector.
(b) Powers of the Building Inspector.
(1) Generally. The Building Inspector is authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of the Building Code. The determination of value or valuation under any of the provisions of the Building Code shall be made by the Building Inspector.
(2) Deputies. In accordance with the procedure and with the approval of the Mayor, the Building Inspector may appoint such number of inspectors and assistants and other employees as shall be authorized from time to time. He may deputize such employees as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Building Department.
(3) Right of entry. Upon presentation of proper credentials the Building Inspector or his duly authorized representatives may enter at reasonable times any building, structure or premises in the City to perform any duty imposed upon him by the Building Code.
(4) Stop orders. Whenever any building work is being done contrary to the provisions of the Building Code, the Building Inspector may order the work stopped by notice in writing served on any person engaged in doing or causing such work to be done, and such person shall forthwith stop such work until authorized by the Building Inspector to proceed with the work.
(c) Abatement of Unsafe Buildings.
(1) Nuisance conditions prohibited. All buildings or structures which are structurally unsafe or not provided with adequate exits or which constitute a fire hazard or are otherwise dangerous to human life, or which in relation to existing use constitute a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence or abandonment, are, for the purpose of this section unsafe buildings. All such unsafe buildings are declared to be pubic nuisances and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation or demolition.
(2) Notice to owner. The Building Inspector shall examine or cause to be examined every building or structure or portion thereof reported as dangerous or damaged, and if found to be an unsafe building he shall give to the owner of such building or structure written notice stating the defects thereof. This notice shall require repairs or improvements or demolition and removal of the building or structure or portions thereof. If necessary such notice shall also require the building, structure or portion thereof to be vacated forthwith and not reoccupied until the required repairs and improvements are completed, inspected and approved by the Building Inspector.
Proper service of such notice shall be by personal service upon the owner of record, if he shall be found within the City limits. If he is not found within the City limits such service may be made upon the owner by registered mail, provided, that if such notice is by registered mail the thirty day period within which the owner is required to comply with the order of the building official, shall begin as of the date he receives such notice.
(d) Appeals.
(1) In order to determine the suitability of alternate materials and types of construction and to provide for reasonable interpretations of the provisions of the Building Code, there shall be and is created a Board of Building Examiners and Appeals, consisting of three members, who are qualified by experience and training to pass upon matters pertaining to building construction. The Building Inspector shall be an ex-officio member and shall act as secretary to the Board. The Board shall be appointed by the Mayor. Members of the Board shall be residents of the City and shall serve for terms of three years each and may be eligible for reappointment. The original Board shall consist of one member appointed for one year, one member appointed for two years and one member appointed for three years. Thereafter one member shall be appointed each year.
(2) In the event of a member’s death, resignation or removal from the City, the Mayor shall appoint a person to fill out the term of such member.
(3) The Board shall elect a chairman who shall preside at all meetings. The Board shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations for conducting its investigation and shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the Building Inspector with a duplicate copy to the appellant and may recommend to the City such new legislation as is consistent therewith.
(Ord. 714. Passed 7-21-55.)