The Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Department shall inspect any premises in the City for the purpose of enforcing and assuring compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Upon request, an owner may provide access to all interior portions of an unoccupied building in order to permit a complete inspection. Nothing contained herein, however, shall diminish the owner's right to insist upon the procurement of a search warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction by a Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Department Official or his or her designee in order to enable such inspection. Said official shall be required to obtain a search warrant whenever an owner refuses to permit a warrantless inspection of the premises. The following shall apply:
(a) Vacant properties will be externally inspected by a Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Department Officer and/or Northwood Fire Department Official a minimum of twice per year to ensure the compliance of property maintenance codes;
(b) All commercial vacant properties will be made available for an annual fire safety inspection by the Northwood Fire Department;
(c) Vacant properties will be both internally and externally inspected at the start of each registration period (new and renewal) and when the registration is terminated by the property owner;
(d) Vacant properties will be both internally and externally inspected upon acquisition of the property by a new owner and prior to an issuance of a permit by the Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Department;
(e) Any inspection that is to take place within thirty days of a previous inspection may or may not be conducted at the discretion of a Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Department Official and/or Northwood Fire Department Official.
(Ord. 2016-22. Passed 9-8-16.)