(A) Notice to owner/occupant. Before making inspections pursuant to a plan authorized by the Police and Public Safety/Health and Property Chairperson, the Code Enforcement Officer shall advise the owner/occupant of the plan to inspect.
(B) Inspection. The Code Enforcement Officer or a police officer shall enforce the provisions of this subchapter and is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections pursuant to one or more plans for inspection as indicated in § 151.20, or in response to a complaint that an alleged violation of the provisions of this subchapter may exist; or when the Code Enforcement Officer has valid reason to believe that a violation of this subchapter or any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto has been or is being committed.
(C) Time of inspection. The Code Enforcement Officer is hereby authorized to enter and inspect, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. or by appointment, all buildings and dwellings, subject to the provisions of this subchapter for the purpose of determining whether or not there is compliance with its provisions.
(D) Premises inspection. The Code Enforcement Officer is hereby authorized to inspect the premises surrounding buildings and dwellings, subject to this subchapter, for the purpose of determining whether or not there is compliance with its provisions.
(E) Access. The owner, occupant or other person in charge of a building or dwelling, upon presentation of proper identification by the Code Enforcement Officer, a copy of any relevant plan of inspection pursuant to which entry is sought, and a schedule of the specific areas and facilities to be inspected, shall give the Code Enforcement Officer entry and free access to every part of the building or dwelling, or to the premises surrounding any of these.
(F) Confidentiality. The Code Enforcement Officer shall keep confidential all evidence, exclusive of the inspection record, which he or she may discover or obtain in the course of an inspection made pursuant to this subchapter, but such evidence may be used in any Code Enforcement proceeding.
(G) Petition to court. If any owner, occupant, or other person in charge of a building or dwelling fails or refuses to permit free access and entry to the structure or premises under his or her control, or any part thereof, with respect to which an inspection authorized by this subchapter is sought to be made, the Code Enforcement Officer may, upon a showing to the court that probable cause exists for the inspection and for the issuance of an order directing compliance with the inspection requirements of this subchapter with respect to such building or dwelling, seek to obtain an order from a court of competent jurisdiction permitting access.
(Ord. 20-564, passed 5-4-2020)