(A) The Director of Public Health is hereby designated the administrative and enforcing officer. He or she is authorized and directed to make inspections to determine the condition of the dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units, and premises located within the county in order that he or she may perform his or her duty of safeguarding the health and safety of the occupants of dwellings and of the general public. For the purpose of making such inspection, the Director of Public Health is hereby authorized to enter, examine, and survey at all reasonable times all dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units, and premises. The owner or occupant of every dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit or the person in charge thereof shall give the Director of Public Health free access to such dwelling, dwelling unit, or rooming unit and its premises, at all reasonable times for the purpose of such inspection, examination, and survey. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall give the owner thereof, or his or her agent or employee, access to any part of such dwelling or dwelling unit or its premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of making such repairs or alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter, or with any lawful rule or regulation adopted or any lawful order issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(B) Wherever the Director of Public Health determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a violation of any provision of this chapter or any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereof, he or she shall give notice of such alleged violation to the person or persons responsible thereof, as hereinafter provided. Such notice shall:
(1) Be put in writing;
(2) Include a statement of the reasons why it is being issued;
(3) Allow a reasonable time for the performance of any act it requires; and
(4) Be served upon the owner or his or her agent, or the occupant, as the case may require; provided, that such notice shall be deemed to be properly served upon such owner or agent, or upon such occupant, if a copy thereof is served upon him or her personally; or if a copy thereof is sent by registered mail to his or her last-known address; or if a copy thereof is posted in a conspicuous place in or about the dwelling affected by the notice; or if he or she is served with such notice by any other method authorized or required under laws of this state. Such notice may contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken, will effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
(C) (1) Whenever the Director of Public Health finds that an emergency exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health, he or she may, without notice or hearing, issue an order reciting the existence of such emergency and requiring that such action be taken as he or she deems necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, such order shall be effective immediately.
(2) Any person to whom such order is directed shall comply therewith immediately, but upon petition to the Director of Public Health, shall afforded a hearing as soon as possible. After such hearing, depending upon the findings as to whether the provisions of this chapter and of the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto have been complied with, the Director of Public Health shall continue such order in effect, or modify it, or revoke it.
(D) The Board of Health is hereby authorized to make, adopt, revise, and amend reasonable rules and regulations as it deems necessary for the carrying out of the purpose of this chapter.
(Prior Code, 6 TCC 4-12)