(A) General. The Code Official shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. The Code Official shall have the authority to appoint a Deputy Code Official, other related technical offices, inspectors and other employees.
(B) Rule-making authority. The Code Official shall have authority as necessary in the interest of public health, safety and general welfare, to adopt and promulgate rules and procedures; to interpret and implement the provisions of this chapter; to secure the intent thereof; and to designate requirements applicable because of local climatic or other conditions. Such rules shall not have the effect of waiving structural or fire performance requirements specifically provided for in this chapter, or of violating accepted engineering methods involving public safety.
(C) Inspections. The Code Official shall make all of the required inspections, or shall accept reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. All reports of such inspections shall be in writing and be certified by a responsible officer of such approved agency or by the responsible individual. The Code Official is authorized to engage such expert opinion as deemed necessary to report upon unusual technical issues that arise, subject to the approval of the appointing authority.
(D) Right of entry. The Code Official is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect subject to constitutional restrictions on unreasonable searches and seizures. If entry is refused or not obtained, the Code Official is authorized to pursue recourse as provided by law.
(E) Authority to disconnect service utilities. The Code Official shall have the authority to authorize disconnection of utility service to the building, structure or system regulated by this subchapter, the building code and the codes referenced in case of emergency where necessary to eliminate an immediate hazard to life or property.
(F) Identification. The Code Official shall carry proper identification when inspecting structures or premises in the performance of duties under this chapter.
(G) Citations, notices and orders. The Code Official shall issue all necessary citations, notices or orders to ensure compliance with this chapter.
(H) Department records. An official record shall be kept of all business and activities of the department specified in the provisions of this chapter; and all such records shall be open to public inspection in accordance with the Kentucky Open Records Act, and under reasonable regulations established by the Code Official to maintain the integrity and security of such records.
(I) Coordination of inspections. Whenever in the enforcement of this chapter or another code or ordinance, the responsibility of more than one Code Official of the jurisdiction is involved, it shall be the duty of the Code Official involved to coordinate their inspections and administrative orders as fully as practicable so that the owners and occupants of the structure shall not be subjected to visits by numerous inspectors or multiple or conflicting orders. Whenever an inspector from any agency or department observes an apparent or actual violation of some provision of some law, ordinance or code not within the inspector’s authority to enforce, the inspector shall report the findings to the Code Official having jurisdiction.
(J) Restriction of employees. An official or employee connected with the enforcement of this chapter, except one whose only connection is that of a member of the Board of Appeals, established under the provisions of § 150.001(D), or the Code Enforcement Board, as set forth in §§ 32.275 et seq., as the case may be, shall not be engaged in, or directly connected with, the furnishing of labor, materials or appliances for the construction, alteration, or maintenance of a building, or the preparation of construction documents thereof, for personal gain unless that person is the owner of the building; nor shall such officer or employee engage in any work that conflicts with official duties or with the interests of the department.
(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 267-2007, approved 12-10-2007)