§ 150.017 GENERAL PROVISIONS.
   (A)   Temporary buildings or uses. No temporary building or structure, trailer, mobile or manufactured home, or mobile or manufactured office or classroom unit shall be used for any purpose by any commercial, industrial or institutional occupancy within the corporate limits of the city unless such building, structure, trailer, mobile or manufactured home or unit is placed on a permanent foundation and plans and specifications for such construction and use are submitted to and approved by the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission of the state; except that, the provisions of this section shall not apply in the following instances:
      (1)   Contractor trailers and sheds used in conjunction with construction or demolition work;
      (2)   Accessory buildings and structures with an area equal to or less than 120 square feet; and
      (3)   The installation of a commercial mobile unit bearing a state seal of compliance pursuant to I.C. 9-13-2-103.2, when the use of such unit is intended for a limited period of time not exceeding 12 months duration and when such installation complies with the standards and requirements of the zoning ordinance of the city. The city’s Enforcement Authority shall issue a building permit for the installation of a commercial mobile unit. Said permit shall indicate the period of time the commercial mobile unit shall be used, which shall not exceed 12 months. Upon the expiration of the time limit specified in the permit, the commercial mobile unit shall be completely removed from the premises.
   (B)   Tents. Any tent or air-supported structure erected within the corporate limits of the city, intended to be used by the public, shall comply with the provisions of the state’s Fire Prevention Code.
   (C)   Responsibility of Police Department to assist the city’s Enforcement Authority. The city’s Police Department, upon request of the city’s Enforcement Authority, shall assist in the enforcement of this subchapter. The Director of the Department or his or her duly authorized representative may request the police to accompany them to any premises to help enforce the law and serve required notices.
   (D)   Fire Department to cooperate with the city’s Enforcement Authority. The city’s Fire Department shall cooperate with and provide assistance to the city’s Enforcement Authority in determining the compliance of new buildings and structures under construction with the fire safety standard requirements of this subchapter.
   (E)   Storm water and subsoil drainage systems. When storm water and subsoil drainage systems are installed, they shall be discharged into an approved sump or receiving tank and shall be discharged at an approved location, but shall not be discharged into a sanitary sewer.
   (F)   Construction work and building material in public right-of-way. No construction work, demolition work or storage of building materials shall occur within the public right-of-way adjacent to the construction or demolition site without the prior approval of the Board of Public Works and Safety. Whenever authority is granted to use the public right-of-way, the Board shall require appropriate safety measures to protect the public.
   (G)   Interceptor required. An interceptor shall be required to be installed in occupancies where grease, oil, sand, solids, flammable wastes, acid or alkaline substances or other ingredients may be introduced into the drainage or sewage system in quantities that can affect line stoppage or hinder sewage treatment. Such occupancies include, but are not limited to, restaurants, cafés, lunch counters, cafeterias, bars and clubs, hotel, hospital, nursing home, factory or school kitchens, slaughter houses, soap factories and packing, fat rendering, hide curing and vehicle washing establishments. Interceptors shall be installed in compliance with the provisions of the state’s Plumbing Code.
   (H)   Change of use of occupancy. No change shall be made in the use or character of occupancy of any building which would place the building in a different class or group of occupancy and use, unless such building is made to comply with the current requirements of this subchapter for the proposed revised use of the building.
   (I)   Maintenance. All buildings and structures, and their electrical, plumbing and heating and air conditioning systems, both existing and new, and all parts thereof, shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. All devices, safeguards and systems shall be maintained in conformance with the provisions of the Building Code in effect when installed. The owner or his or her authorized agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings and structures. To determine compliance with this division (I), the Director of the city’s Enforcement Authority or his or her authorized representative may cause any building or structure to be reinspected.
   (J)   Authority to take emergency action. The Director of the city’s Enforcement Authority and his or her duly authorized representative have the authority to take necessary emergency action concerning any unsafe premises within the corporate limits of the city. Such action may include, but not be limited to, the vacating of an unsafe building and/or the disconnection of any electrical service or natural gas service to any premises upon determination that such immediate action is necessary for safety to persons or property. Such emergency action taken shall be limited to removing any immediate danger.
   (K)   Disconnection of unsafe electrical service by Richmond Power and Light. In the event Richmond Power and Light removes an electrical meter or disconnects the service drop to a building or structure because the electrical system of said building or structure is unsafe and hazardous; the electrical system of said building or structure shall not be placed back in service unless such system is inspected by an electrical contractor licensed under the provisions of this subchapter and upgraded as necessary to eliminate all unsafe and hazardous conditions.
   (L)   Electrical connections by heating and air conditioning contractors and plumbers. Any licensed heating and air conditioning contractor or person in his or her employ and any registered plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber may make the necessary electrical connections as may be required for the satisfactory performance of either a new or replacement heating and/or air conditioning system or a hot water heater, provided the rating of circuit conductors and disconnect are not exceeded and the electrical connection meets the requirements of the state’s Electrical Code. However, such persons shall not be permitted to install service equipment, branch circuits, over current devices nor resistance electric heat.
   (M)   Sealing vacant buildings and structures. The sealing and securing of any vacant building or structure, including any work performed subject to an order issued under the Unsafe Building Code of the city, or any work performed by an owner on his or her own initiative, shall be required to be accomplished pursuant to the following uniform standard: double headed nails shall be utilized to fasten one-half inch exterior grade plywood to all exterior openings of every floor. The plywood shall be cut and installed to precisely fit each opening so as to present a neat, workmanlike appearance. Prior to the sealing and securing of any vacant building or structure, the building or structure shall be cleared of all human inhabitants. Any building or structure that has been sealed and secured shall be repaired and rehabilitated as required to bring said building or structure into compliance with this subchapter prior to said building or structure being again occupied or used.
   (N)   Unsafe buildings and structures. The regulation and abatement of unsafe buildings and structures shall be in accordance with Ch. 153 of this code of ordinances.
(Prior Code, § 150.19)