(a) The Department shall schedule initial inspections, at its discretion, of multifamily or mobile/manufactured residential rental structures, units, and accessory facilities which are subject to provisions of this Chapter to determine if the structures and units qualify for a certificate of compliance. The owner or responsible local agent of the property shall receive prior notice of the Department's intent to inspect; the owner may voluntarily waive the notice period and consent to an inspection at an earlier date. The owner shall provide to the tenant(s) a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours written notice of the Department's intent to inspect the unit he or she occupies.
(b) Inspection fees established by the City shall be paid in full prior to the date of inspection.
(c) After the initial phase-in period, all residential rental structures, units, and accessory facilities which are subject to provisions of this article shall be required to be inspected at not less than twenty-four (24)-month intervals nor more than thirty-six (36)-month intervals unless adjusted by the Department.
(d) The Department shall inspect multifamily or mobile/manufactured residential rental structures, units, or accessory facilities pursuant to any of the following circumstances:
(1) Upon receipt of a new rental registration application for a structure that was not previously registered.
(2) Upon receipt of any certificate of compliance renewal request for any structure, unit, or accessory facility that has been previously certified.
(3) Upon receipt of a complaint from an owner or tenant that a structure, unit, or accessory facility is in violation of the property maintenance ordinance or any other ordinance or code of the City of Southgate, or is in violation of Michigan's housing law, Section 125.401 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws.
(4) Upon receipt of a report or a referral from the Southgate Police Department, Department of Public Works, Fire Department, other law enforcement agency, public agency or department, or any individual indicating that the premises may be in violation of this Chapter. The request shall be based on the personal knowledge of the person making the report.
(5) If an exterior survey of the premises gives the building official probable cause to believe that the premises is in violation of this Chapter.
(6) Upon receipt of information that the multifamily or mobile/manufactured residential rental structure is not registered with the City as required by this Chapter.
(e) If entry to a multifamily or mobile/manufactured residential rental structure, unit, or accessory facility requiring inspection is refused, the Building Official and/or their designee shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry, including but not limited to obtaining a warrant for an administrative search. Inspections shall be limited to only the areas necessary to ascertain compliance with applicable ordinances, codes, and state law. Every reasonable effort shall be made to obtain consent to voluntarily enter the premises for the purpose of conducting a property maintenance inspection.
(Ord. 23-1036. Passed 7-5-23; Ord. 24-1042. Passed 6-5-24.)