(a) No dwelling or dwelling unit becoming vacant and available for occupancy or reoccupancy shall be leased, rented or occupied for dwelling purposes by other than the lawful owner thereof until the Health Officer has certified, in writing, on a form provided by the City, that such dwelling or dwelling unit substantially conforms with this chapter.
No owner, agent, lessor or other person shall lease or let space to be occupied by others as a dwelling or dwelling unit unless a notice of intention to so rent, lease or let is first filed in the office of the Health Officer. The Health Officer shall inspect such premises within one week of the filing of the notice, and, upon finding substantial compliance of the premises with this chapter, shall certify the same as being suitable for occupancy. If the Health Officer denies certification, he or she shall state the reasons therefor in writing to the person filing such notice within three days after such inspection. Such person may then request and shall be granted a hearing by the Board of Health under the procedure provided in Section 1488.04.
(b) The Health Officer is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections to determine the condition of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units, establishments and premises located in the City in order to safeguard the health and safety of the occupants of dwellings and the general public. For the purpose of making such inspections, the Health Officer is hereby authorized to enter, examine and survey at all reasonable times, all dwellings, dwelling units, establishments and premises. The owner or occupant of every dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit and establishment, or the person in charge thereof, shall give the Health Officer free access to such dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit or establishment, and its premises, at all reasonable times, for the purpose of such inspection, examination and survey. Every occupant of a dwelling, dwelling unit or establishment shall give the owner thereof, or his or her agent or employee, access to any part of such dwelling, dwelling unit or establishment, or its premises, at all reasonable times, for the purpose of making such repairs or alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with this chapter or with any lawful rule or regulation adopted or any lawful order issued pursuant to this chapter.
(Ord. 18-87. Passed 11-24-87.)