(A) Applicability. This section shall apply to all properties containing three (3) or more dwelling units, regardless of rental status. A multi-family dwelling, for purposes of this Section, is defined as any building containing three (3) or more rooms or suite of rooms with complete independent facilities for the exclusive use of a person or family, including, but not limited to, permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation. However, for properties subject to inspections under Section 4-1-19 of this Code, the common and mechanical area inspection requirements set forth there shall apply in lieu of this Section.
(B) Required Inspection; Fee. When a multi-family dwelling subject to this Section is inspected pursuant to Section 5-2-7 (Inspection of Premises) or Section 8-6-6 (Access To Premises) of this Code, the Fire Inspector shall be accompanied by a code inspector who will inspect the mechanical and common areas of each dwelling. Inspections shall be conducted in order: a) to determine the safety of the occupants of such buildings, structures, or places in the event of fire, panic or accident; b) to examine the working order and state of repair of commonly shared mechanical and utility equipment and spaces; and c) to ascertain whether the Title 4 regulations of this title affecting public health and safety are being complied with. The village shall utilize the laws, ordinances, and regulations of the village code, as adopted and amended by the board of trustees, as the established standards for the inspection of multi-family dwelling common space and mechanical areas. The fee for the mechanical and common area inspections shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00).
(C) Scope of Inspections. The code inspector shall, when inspecting the, mechanical and common areas of a multi-family dwelling, limit the scope of the inspection to only those items that pertain to the laws, ordinances, and regulations directly or indirectly related to the village water system or to water service for the building being inspected. The code inspector, while performing the duties of his/her office, will otherwise fully consider the privacy and dignity of the owner and occupants.
(D) Inspectors’ Right of Entry. Any code inspector designated by the village, upon production of adequate identification and receipt of the consent of the owner, occupant, tenant, or authorized agent, is empowered to enter the mechanical and common areas of any multi-family dwelling building, structure or premises, whether completed or in the course of construction consistent with section 8-6-6 of the village code. In the event the owner, occupant, tenant, or authorized agent exercises their right to refuse entry, the village may exercise its right to seek issuance of an administrative search warrant to permit such entry.
(E) Interpretation of Regulations. Any interpretation of any regulations prescribed by the adopted building codes shall be determined in the first instance, by the designated code official. An appeal from their decision may be taken to the village manager who may approve, modify or revise the ruling of the code official. An appeal may then be taken to the board of trustees whose decision shall be final.
(F) Records, Reports. The village shall maintain complete, orderly and detailed files and records of all inspections made. (Ord. 3098, 11-18-2021; amd. Ord. 4072, 10-5-2023)