(a) The City of Ravenna is hereby authorized upon application therefor, to issue new housing licenses and renewals thereof in the names of applicant owners or operators of residential rental dwellings, rooming houses or dormitories. No such licenses shall be issued unless the residential rental dwelling, rooming house or dormitory in connection with which the license is sought is found, after inspection, to meet all applicable requirements of this Code and applicable rules issued pursuant thereto.
(b) If the owner, occupant, or agent thereof does not consent to the proposed inspection, the code official may appear before any judge in a court of competent jurisdiction and seek an administrative search warrant to allow an inspection. Any such application shall be made within ten calendar days after the non-consent. The application for the warrant shall specify the basis upon which the warrant is being sought and shall include a statement that the inspection will be limited to a determination whether there are violations of the code provisions identified in this section. The court may consider any of the following factors along with such other matters as it deems pertinent in its decision as to whether a warrant shall be issued:
(1) Eyewitness account of violation;
(2) Citizen complaints;
(3) Tenant complaints;
(4) Plain view violations;
(5) Violations apparent from City records;
(6) Property deterioration;
(7) Age of property;
(8) Nature of alleged violation.
(c) If a warrant is issued, no owner, occupant, or agent thereof shall fail or neglect, upon presentation of a warrant, to properly permit entry therein by the code official or his/her duly authorized designee for the purpose of conducting a rental inspection and examination pursuant to this section and consistent with the terms of the warrant. If the court declines to issue a warrant, or if no warrant is sought, the rental inspection will not take place and no certificate will be issued.
(1) If an administrative order is ignored, the City will file through the court for a motion of contempt.
(2) If a warrant is issued and upon inspection violation(s) found, the City may petition the court for administrative expenses incurred with appropriate expenses awarded to the City. Expenses incurred may be but are not limited to staff wages per hour, court cost, inspection fees and other costs associated with seeking the administrative warrant.
(Ord. 2021-036. Passed 6-7-21.)