A. Administration: The building official and/or fire marshal or their designated appointees are authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
B. Inspection: The city's compliance officer upon reviewing a possible infraction will issue a report to the building official. The fire marshal and/or the building official or their designated representatives will make inspections based upon the complaint and take actions necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter or cause a dismissal of the complaint. All buildings or structures within the scope of this code and all construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by a certified building inspector.
C. Right Of Entry: Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any provision of this code, or whenever the building official, fire marshal or their designated representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition or code violation which makes the building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building official, fire marshal or their designated representative may enter the building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the building official or fire marshal by this code; provided that if such building or premises are occupied, they shall first present proper credentials and request entry; and if such building or premises are unoccupied, they shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the building official, fire marshal or their designated representative may use any remedy provided by law to secure entry.
D. Refusal To Permit Entry: When the building official, fire marshal or their designated representative has obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure entry, no owner or occupant or any other persons having charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request made as provided in this section, to promptly permit entry therein by the building official, fire marshal, or their designated representative for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this code.
E. Abandoned Construction Site: Means a lot or group of lots, including subdivisions, building or buildings, or other development within the city, where the responsible person has ceased work for any reason for a period of ninety (90) days. Circumstances indicating abandonment of a construction site include, but are not limited to, failure to call for inspections, absence of workers, or removal of equipment and supplies. A valid building permit or other permit or approval issued by the city does not alter the status of a construction site deemed abandoned. For the purposes of this chapter, construction does not include temporary repairs, additions, remodels, or maintenance projects on existing single-family homes.
F. Vacant Residence Or Abandoned Construction Site Owner Obligations: Responsible person(s) shall maintain vacant residences and associated premises and abandoned construction sites in a clean, safe and sanitary condition consistent with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable provisions of this code. Responsible persons shall bear all costs associated with maintaining vacant residences and abandoned construction sites.
G. Minimum Maintenance Standards For Vacant Residences And Associated Premises:
1. Building Openings: All doors, windows, and other openings shall be weathertight and secured against entry by birds, vermin, and trespassers. Missing or broken doors, windows, and other openings shall be covered by glass, plywood, or other weather resistant materials and tightly fitted and secured to the opening.
2. Foundation Walls: Foundation walls shall be animal and vermin proof and be maintained in a structurally sound and sanitary condition so as not to pose a threat to the public health, safety and welfare.
3. Exterior Walls: Exterior walls shall be free of holes, breaks, and loose or rotting materials. Exposed metal, wood, or other surfaces shall be protected from the elements and against decay or rust.
4. Exterior Features: All chimneys, decks, balconies, canopies, awnings, exhaust ducts, cornices, corbels, trim, wall facings, drains, gutters, downspouts, and similar features shall be safely anchored. (Ord. 2013-562, 9-3-2013)