(A) Short title. This chapter shall be known as the “Minimum Safety Standards for Business Premises”.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BUSINESS PREMISES. All places and structures wherein commercial activity, trades, occupations, and professions are engaged in, carried on, or conducted in the city.
LICENSE AGENT. The City Clerk/Treasurer and Police Chief.
SAFETY INSPECTOR. The City Fire Chief and Police Chief.
UNSAFE CONDITION.
(a) Any of the following causes:
1. Want of repair;
2. Insufficient fire escapes;
3. Extreme age;
4. Extreme liability to fire loss;
5. Dilapidated general condition;
6. Inflammable conditions likely to cause fire loss; or
7. Any other cause that is hazardous to the public health, safety, or welfare.
(b) Provided, however, that this section shall not apply to unsafe natural conditions such as woodlands, natural land formations, watersheds, and conveyances of surface water as well as surface water reservoirs constructed in the interest of conservation of natural resources.
(C) Inspections generally.
(1) All business premises may be periodically inspected by the City Safety Inspector in a reasonable manner at reasonable times, and in the event a voluntary inspection is denied by the premises owner, a search warrant based upon this section shall be issued upon probable cause by the Police Judge of the city.
(2) The Safety Inspector shall make a written report of his or her findings as a result of this inspection and shall keep it on file and turn it over to the Police Department for remedial action.
(3) Prior to the issuance of any occupational license, the licensing agent may require inspection of the premises to be licensed.
(D) Safety Inspector.
(1) The Safety Inspector shall determine if there is any hazardous condition existing which is dangerous to the public, health, safety, or welfare.
(2) The unsafe conditions shall be enumerated in that determination.
(3) This determination shall be in writing.
(4) (a) In the event that any of the unsafe conditions are found such as:
1. Want of repair;
2. Insufficient fire escapes;
3. Extreme age;
4. Extreme liability to fire loss;
5. Dilapidated general condition;
6. Inflammable conditions likely to cause fire loss; or
7. Any other findings which show hazardously to the public safety, health, or welfare.
(b) Then proper action shall be taken in the form of an order to remedy, raze, or remove, and it shall be sent by personal service to the property owner by a member of the Police Department or by registered mail.
(5) In the event this order is not appealed to the Commissioner of Public Safety within ten days, the order shall become final and appropriate police action shall be taken.
(2010 Code, § 113.01)