(a) The Zoning Inspector or other responsible official is hereby authorized to make or cause to be made inspections of the exterior of all premises within the city. All exterior premises must be available and accessible for such inspections, and the owner or occupant is required to provide the necessary arrangements to facilitate such inspections.
(b) Where the Zoning Inspector or other responsible official or his or her agent is refused access, or is otherwise impeded or prevented by the owner, occupant, or any other person from conducting an inspection of the premises, such owner, occupant, or other person preventing such inspection shall be in violation of this code and subject to the penalties contained herein.
(c) In order to safeguard the safety, health, and welfare of the public, the Mayor, Fire Chief, City Engineer, or Zoning Inspector of the city or a Building Inspector or Health District official of Lake County, Ohio, is authorized to gain consensual entry to any structure or premises, and any parts thereof, at any reasonable time, for the purpose of making inspections and performing duties under this code.
(d) If any owner, occupant, or other person in charge of a structure subject to the provisions of this code refuses, impedes, inhibits, interferes with, restricts, or obstructs entry and free access to any part of the structure or premises where inspection authorized by this code is sought, or if the building reasonably appears to have been abandoned and the whereabouts of the owner or person in charge is not known or readily available, the above referred to official shall be permitted to seek, in a court of competent jurisdiction, including but not limited to the Willoughby Municipal Court, a warrant for administrative inspection.
(e) Any warrant for administrative inspection shall allow for the inspection of the subject structure and premises, and any parts thereof, pursuant to the provisions of this code and shall be so limited in scope.
(f) Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the authority of the above referred to official to gain access to any structure or premises in emergency circumstances or otherwise pursuant to law.
(g) Every occupant of a structure or premises shall give the owner or operator thereof or agent or employee, access to any part of such structure or its premises at reasonable times for the purpose of making such inspection, maintenance, repairs, or alterations as are necessary to comply with the provisions of this code. Any person that refuses to permit inspection or otherwise obstructs, hinders, or interferes with the inspection of a premises pursuant to the execution of an administrative warrant is guilty of a misdemeanor as provided in § 1462.99.
(Ord. 04-O-25, passed 6-7-2004; Am. Ord. 13-O-51, passed 9-16-2013)