CHAPTER 1301
Bureau of Buildings, Inspections, Licenses and Permits

1301.01   Bureau established.

1301.02   Chief officer.

1301.03   Qualifications of personnel.

1301.04   Conflict of interest.

1301.05   Legal liability.

1301.06   Records; forms.

1301.07   Duties and powers.

1301.08   Licenses, permits required.

1301.09   Inspections; approvals.

1301.10   Rules and regulations.

1301.11   Minor modifications.

1301.12   Right of entry.

1301.13   Cooperation.

1301.14   License and permit applications.

1301.15   Prohibited issuance of license.

1301.16   Term of license or permit.

1301.17   Nontransferability.

1301.18   Display of license or permit.

1301.19   Revocation or suspension.

1301.20   Appeal and review.

1301.21   Board of Appeals.

1301.22   Advisory opinions.

1301.23   Resisting or abusing an inspector.

1301.99   Penalty.

CROSS REFERENCES

         Required submission of plans of public buildings - see

            Ohio R.C. 3791.04

         Fees for plan approval - see Ohio R.C. 3791.07

         Adoption of technical codes - see Ohio R.C. 731.231

         Enforcement of Ohio Building Code - see Ohio R.C. 3781.03

         Electrical Safety Inspection - see Ohio R.C. Ch. 3783

1301.01 BUREAU ESTABLISHED.

   There is hereby established within the Department of Public Service a Bureau of Buildings, Inspections, Licenses and Permits, which Bureau shall be under the supervision and control of the Director of Public Service. (Ord. 68-407. Passed 8-6-68.)

1301.02 CHIEF OFFICER.

   The Bureau shall be administered by and operate under the responsibility of a Superintendent, hereinafter sometimes referred to as the Chief of the Bureau. The Superintendent shall post bond as provided under Chapter 171 of the Administrative Code and shall be in the unclassified civil service of the City as a deputy or assistant under the provisions of Ohio R.C. 124.11(A). (Ord. 68-407. Passed 8-6-68.)

1301.03 QUALIFICATIONS OF PERSONNEL.

   (a)    The Superintendent of the Bureau shall meet one or more of the following qualifications at the time of his appointment:

      (1)    Be an architect or professional engineer registered in the State of Ohio and have at least five years' experience in building construction or design; or

      (2)    Have at least ten years' experience in responsible charge of building construction or design; or

      (3)    Have been a plans examiner or inspector within the Bureau.

   (b)    A Building Codes Inspector, an Electrical Codes Inspector or a plans examiner shall meet one or more of the following qualifications at the time of his appointment:

      (1)    Any of the qualifications of the Superintendent, or,

      (2)    Have graduated from an accredited high school and have not less than three years' practical experience of a responsible nature in general building construction or in his respective technical field, or

      (3)    Have not less than seven years' practical experience of a responsible nature in general building construction or in his respective technical field.

   (c)    A Housing Code Inspector shall meet one or more of the following qualifications at the time of his appointment:

      (1)    Any one or more of the qualifications of a Building Codes Inspector or plans examiner; or

      (2)    Have graduated from an accredited high school and have not less than two years' practical experience of a responsible nature in general building construction or his respective technical field; or

      (3)    Have not less than six years' practical experience of a responsible nature in general building construction or in his respective technical field.

   (d)    If the Superintendent does not possess the qualifications set forth in subsection (a)(1) hereof, then the supervision of the examination of all plans to determine their compliance with the Ohio Basic Building Code and the rendering of other technical services necessary to the Department shall be provided by a full-time employee of the City who does have such a qualification or by contractual arrangement with one or more individuals or firms having such qualifications.

   (e)    Inspectors and examiners assigned duties of enforcing the Ohio Basic Building Code shall be required to meet such other and further qualifications as may be established by the Board of Building Standards.

   (f)    All personnel, including the Superintendent, having any duty of enforcing the Ohio Basic Building Code, whether by full or part-time employment or whether by direct employment or contractual arrangement must successfully complete those courses of instruction designated by the Board of Building Standards as a condition of continuing certification.

(Ord. 68-407. Passed 8-6-68.)

1301.04 CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

   No officer or employee of the Bureau shall be engaged in, or directly or indirectly interested in, the furnishing of labor, materials, appliances or services for the construction, alteration, repair or maintenance, or in the preparation of any plans, or specifications therefor, of any improvement, project, installation, construction or enterprise of any nature for which a license, permit, approval or inspection is required under the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 65-168. Passed 4-20-65.)

1301.05 LEGAL LIABILITY.

   Any legal action instituted against any officer or employee of the Bureau predicated upon an act or acts performed by him in the lawful discharge of his duties under the provisions of this chapter shall be defended by the Director of Law or an attorney retained by the City until final termination of the proceedings, and Bureau officers or employees shall not be liable for costs in any such action. (Ord. 65-168. Passed 4-20-65.)

1301.06 RECORDS; FORMS.

   Official records shall be kept by the Bureau of all its business and activities, which shall be open to public inspection during usual business hours. Standard forms, appropriate in form and content, may be designed and adopted by the Service Director and Chief for use within the Bureau. (Ord. 65-168. Passed 4-20-65.)