(a) The Fire Chief or an inspector of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, upon the complaint of any person or whenever he or she deems it necessary, shall inspect all buildings and premises within his or her jurisdiction. Whenever any such officer finds a building or other structure which, because of want of repairs, lack of or insufficient fire escapes, automatic or other fire alarm apparatus or fire extinguishing equipment, age or dilapidated condition or any other cause, is especially liable to fire, or which is so situated as to endanger other property or the occupants thereof, or whenever such officer finds in any building combustible or explosive matter or flammable conditions dangerous to the safety of such building or the occupants thereof, he or she shall order such dangerous conditions or materials to be removed or remedied. Such order shall forthwith be complied with by the owner or occupant of such premises or building. If such order is made by the Chief Inspector of the Bureau or any of his or her assistant inspectors, such owner or occupant may, within twenty-four hours, appeal to the Chief who shall, within five days, review such order and file his or her decision thereon. Unless, by his or her authority, the order is revoked or modified, it shall remain in full force and be complied with within the time fixed in the order or decision of the Chief.
(b) Such owner or occupant may, within five days after the making or affirming of such order by the Chief, file his or her petition with the County Circuit Court, requesting a review of such order. The Court shall hear the same within not less than five days nor more than ten days from the time the petition is filed and shall make such order as justice may require. Such decision shall be final. A person so appealing to the Court shall file with such Court, within two days, a bond in an amount to be fixed and approved by the Court, conditioned to pay all the costs of such appeal in case such appellant fails to sustain his or her appeal or the same is dismissed for any cause.
(Ord. 279. Passed 4-28-64; 1976 Code § 10-21.)
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