(a) Building Inspector to Enforce. The Building Inspector shall be responsible for the administration of this chapter and shall enforce all provisions thereof not within the jurisdiction of the Board of Health, Fire Chief or Electrical Inspector.
(b) Delegation of Powers and Duties. The Building Inspector, Board of Health, Fire Chief and Electrical Inspector may delegate to any other properly qualified officer or employee of their departments any power or duty vested in them by this chapter.
(c) Reports. The Building Inspector shall, at the end of each calendar year, submit a written report to the Mayor and to Council of the housing activities of the Department, and the procedures used in the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
(d) Entry and Inspection.
(1) Subject to the limitations of the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Ohio, and in order to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter, the Building Inspector, Board of Health, Fire Chief or Electrical Inspector is authorized and directed to make inspections to determine the condition of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units and premises located within the City in order that they may perform their duty of safeguarding the health and safety of the occupants of dwellings and of the general public. For the purpose of making such inspections and upon showing appropriate identification, the above designated officials or their agents are authorized to enter, examine and survey, at any reasonable hour, all dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units and premises. The owner or occupant of every dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house and rooming unit, or the person in charge thereof, shall give them free access to such dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit and its premises, at any reasonable hour for the purpose of such inspection, examination and survey.
(2) An owner of a dwelling, structure or premises, or his authorized agent, may enter the dwelling at all reasonable times for the purpose of complying with any provisions of this chapter or with any regulation issued hereunder.
(3) Every occupant of a dwelling shall give the owner thereof, or his agent or employee, access to any part of such dwelling, or its premises, at all reasonable times for the purpose of making such repairs or alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter or with any rule or regulation adopted and promulgated or any order issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(e) Notices; Alleged Violations. Whenever the Building Inspector determines that there has been a violation of any provision of this chapter or of any regulation issued thereunder, such violation not being within the jurisdiction of the Board of Health, Fire Chief or Electrical Inspector, he shall give notice of the alleged violation in the manner provided in this section to the person responsible for compliance under this chapter.
(1) The notice shall:
A. Be in writing;
B. Include a statement of the reasons why it is being issued;
C. Specify a reasonable time for the performance of any act it requires; and
D. Inform the person responsible for compliance of his right to a hearing.
(2) The notice shall be served upon the person responsible:
A. By handing a copy to him personally, or by handing a copy to the persons designated in Ohio Revised Code Section 2703.10 entitled “Service Upon Corporation”;
B. By sending a copy to his last known address by registered mail, postage prepaid, accompanied with a request for a return receipt; or, if service cannot be accomplished in this manner,
C. By posting a copy in a conspicuous place in or about the dwelling or structure.
(f) Hearings.
(1) Any person affected by any notice which has been issued by the Building Inspector under any provision of this chapter, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant hereto, may request and shall be granted a heating on the matter before the Building Inspector. The person requesting a hearing shall, within ten days from the day the notice was served, file in the office of the Building Inspector a written petition which shall contain a brief statement of the grounds therefor. The Building Inspector shall immediately set a time and place for the hearing and shall give the petitioner written notice thereof. The hearing shall be held before the Building Inspector not more than ten days from the day the petition was filed, except that upon application of the petitioner or upon his own motion the Building Inspector may delay the time of the hearing for not more than forty days from the day the petition for a hearing was filed if there is good and sufficient reason for delay. The petitioner shall have the right to appear at the hearing in person or to be represented by an attorney or by any other person.
(2) The Building Inspector shall promptly report to the City Solicitor and the City Prosecutor the names and addresses of all persons, firms and corporations who have violated or failed to comply with this chapter, and who are subject hereto, and it shall be the duty of the City Solicitor and City Prosecutor to proceed against such persons, firms or corporations civilly and/or criminally as provided for in Sections 1525.14 and 1525.99.
(Ord. 8377. Passed 11-5-62.)
(g) Emergency Action. Whenever the Building Inspector finds that an emergency exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health, he may, without notice or hearing, issue an order reciting the existence of such an emergency and requiring that such action be taken as he deems necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Housing Code, such order shall be effective immediately. Any person to whom such order is directed shall comply therewith immediately, but upon petition to the Building Inspector shall be afforded a hearing as soon as possible. After such hearing, depending upon his findings as to whether the provisions of this Code have been complied with, the Building Inspector shall continue such order in effect, or modify it or revoke it.
(Ord. 72-72. Passed 5-15-72.)