(A) Authority to enter. For the purpose of making inspections and otherwise performing duties under this article, the Officer may authorize the county's building inspectors to enter, examine and survey at all reasonable times all buildings for the purpose of performing the duty of safeguarding the health and safety of the general public.
(B) Obtaining a warrant. Whenever an owner, occupant, or agent thereof shall deny the town building inspector reasonable access to any premises for purposes of making inspections, the Officer or town building inspector shall obtain a warrant to inspect as authorized by G.S. § 15-27.2.
(C) Emergency cases. In cases where it appears that there is an imminent danger to life or safety of any person unless an unsafe building is immediately repaired, vacated, closed or demolished, the Zoning Enforcement Officer shall order its immediate repair, evacuation, closing or demolition as he or she may deem necessary, notwithstanding the other provisions of this article. The Officer may take the temporary measures necessary to safeguard persons from immediate danger of collapse of such building and is authorized to close temporarily sidewalks, streets, and other buildings in places adjacent to such unsafe building and prohibit the same from being used, pending the elimination of the danger. The cost of emergency measures taken shall become a lien against the premises upon which the emergency condition existed upon confirmation of the cost by the Board of Commissioners. The confirmation shall take place only after 10 days written notice to the owner of the premises where the nuisance existed. The Board may also notify any other parties of interest of the emergency condition.
(Ord. 11-9, passed 9-12-2011)