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The commissioner or his or her authorized representatives, in the discharge of their duties, shall have the right to enter upon and inspect, at all reasonable times, any buildings, enclosure, premises, or any part thereof, or any signs or service equipment contained therein or attached thereto for the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions of this code and other applicable building laws and rules. Officers and employees of the department shall identify themselves by exhibiting the official badge or other identification prescribed by the department; and other authorized representatives of the commissioner shall identify themselves by producing and exhibiting their authority in writing signed by the commissioner. If access is not obtained, the commissioner shall have recourse to remedies provided by law to secure entry.
The department shall keep official records of applications received, permits and certificates issued, fees collected, reports of inspections, and notices and orders issued. Such records shall be retained in the official records for the period required for retention of public records.
The commissioner shall maintain a separate list of alteration permits issued for the erection or placement of antennae used to provide cellular telephone or similar service or any structure related to such service which shall, at a minimum, set forth the name, business address and business telephone number of the applicant, the date of the application, the date the permit was issued, the location for which the permit was issued, including the premises address and the zoning district, whether residential, commercial, or manufacturing, and the number of permits issued for such purpose at the same location. Such list shall be made available to the public upon request between regular business hours and shall be available to the public in electronic format on a 24-hour basis on the department's website.
The commissioner may require applicants for permits to obtain and furnish proof of workers' compensation, disability and general liability insurance in such amounts and in accordance with such specifications as shall be set forth in the rules of the department or as otherwise required by law.
In addition to other required inspections, the commissioner may make or require inspections of existing buildings, structures, signs, service equipment installations and construction machinery and equipment to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws that are enforced by the department. Such inspections may be made on behalf of the department by officers and employees of the department and other city departments and governmental agencies; and by approved agencies, special inspectors or other persons when the commissioner is satisfied as to their qualifications and reliability. The commissioner may accept inspection and test reports from persons authorized by this code or by the commissioner to perform such inspections. Such reports shall be filed with the department.
Editor's note: this section has been amended by L.L. 2024/128, 12/21/2024, eff. 12/21/2025. For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2024/128.
It shall be unlawful for any officer or employee of the department to be engaged in conducting or carrying on business as an architect, engineer, carpenter, plumber, iron worker, mason or builder, or any other profession or business concerned with the construction, alteration, sale, rental, development, or equipment of buildings. It shall also be unlawful for such employees to be engaged in the manufacture or sale of automatic sprinklers, fire extinguishing apparatus, fire protection devices, fire prevention devices, devices relating to the means or adequacy of exit from buildings, or articles entering into the construction or alteration of buildings, or to act as agent for any person engaged in the manufacture or sale of such articles, or own stock in any corporation engaged in the manufacture or sale of such articles.
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2024/128.
The commissioner shall cause all complaints to be investigated. For purposes of investigating complaints of violations of law enforced by the department, the commissioner may by rule establish a program to classify structures based on their enforcement history and may create criteria for such classification and assign enforcement resources accordingly.
The department shall keep records of complaints made by any person in reference to any building or other matter under the jurisdiction of the department. Recorded complaints shall include the name and residence of the complainant, the name of the person complained of, the date of the entry of the complaint and any suggested remedies. Except for entries of names and residences of the complainants, such records shall be made available for public examination.
The standards referenced in this code may be added to, deleted or modified pursuant to local law or by rule of the department. Every such rule adding, deleting or modifying a referenced standard shall indicate the promulgating agency of the standard, the standard identification, the effective date and title and the section or sections of this code to which such standard applies. The commissioner shall act in consultation with the fire commissioner on matters relating to fire safety.
(Am. L.L. 2021/126, 11/7/2021, eff. 11/7/2022)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2021/126.
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