A. Inspection: Whenever it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce any provisions of this chapter, or whenever the building official has reasonable cause to believe a code violation exists in any building or upon any premises which makes such building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building official may, upon obtaining permission of the owner or other person having charge or control of the premises or dwelling unit, or upon obtaining a warrant, enter a residential property or premises to inspect it or to perform the duties imposed by this chapter. If such building or premises is occupied, the building official shall first present proper credentials and request entry. If such building or premises is unoccupied, the building official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If such entry is refused, the building official shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry. The building official shall establish written policies which outline owner notification procedures for regular inspections and establish handling of owner notification for tenant reports of unsafe, dangerous and hazardous conditions.
B. Unoccupied Dwelling Unit: If an unoccupied dwelling unit is open and unattended and the owner or other person having charge or control of the building or premises cannot be located after reasonable effort, the building official or building official's designee may enter the building. The building official shall issue a notice and order that the dwelling unit be immediately secured or boarded against the entry of unauthorized persons.
C. Inspection Notification: In imminent danger or hazardous condition situations, or when authorization to enter has not previously been granted by a tenant, the owner shall give the tenant a minimum of twenty four (24) hours' notification of an inspection of the tenant's premises by the building official.
D. Violations: Whenever the building official has inspected a building and found violations of this chapter, the building official has the authority to commence action to cause the repair, rehabilitation or vacation of the building. The building official shall issue a notice and order to the owner(s) of the building, which shall list all violations, giving the section number and a detailed description of each, and classified by severity according to the following categories: imminent danger, hazardous condition, substandard condition, and minor deficiency situations. For each violation, or category of violation, the notice and order shall state the following, described in sections 18.50.060 through 18.50.090 of this chapter:
1. The corrective action necessary for the violation(s);
2. A time frame for compliance;
3. The appeals and administrative hearing officer process; and
4. Specific remedies the city may reasonably expect to take if the violations are not corrected. (Ord. 55-95 § 4 (Exh. A), 1995)