(a) Whenever necessary to make an inspection or to enforce any of the provisions of this chapter, or whenever the code enforcement officer has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any property any unlawful condition of prohibited activity which makes such building or property unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the code enforcement officer may enter such building or property with the consent of the owner or the occupant, or with an inspection/abatement warrant signed by a municipal court judge. However, if such building or property is occupied, the code enforcement officer shall first present proper credentials and request entry; and if such building or property is unoccupied, the code enforcement official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or the occupant and request entry. Before entering onto the property pursuant to a warrant, the Code enforcement officer shall give at least 24 hours notice to the owner or the occupant unless the judge finds that immediate execution of the warrant is reasonably necessary in the circumstances.
(b) It is unlawful for any person, including an owner or occupant of any property within the city to refuse to allow the code enforcement officer, or a contractor engaged by the city, consistent with subsection (a) of this section, to enter upon the property at any time between eight a.m. and six p.m. for the purpose of the abatement of a public nuisance or to obstruct, impeded or interfere in any manner with the code enforcement officer, or a contractor engaged by the city, in any work undertaken pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 887 § 1 (part), 2009; Ord. 790 § 7 (part), 1999; Ord. 718 § 1 (part), 1994)