(a) Who May Apply. Where any owner, operator or occupant is required to make repairs or otherwise improve his property and is unable to comply with this chapter without having right of access to the building or premises through or across adjoining premises not owned by him or under his control, and where right of access has been refused the owner, operator or occupant, or where the owner or person responsible for granting permission cannot be found or located, then upon filing of an affidavit setting forth the facts with the Property Maintenance Officer, the Property Maintenance Officer shall serve a five-day written notice of a hearing upon the owner, operator or occupant of any adjoining premises affected by the application.
(b) Hearing. On the day fixed for hearing, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall provide opportunity for the owner, operator or occupant of the adjoining property or properties to state why access should not be granted across such adjoining properties.
(c) Issuance of Certificate; Conditions. If the Zoning Board of Appeals determines that access is deemed absolutely necessary to accomplish or complete repairs or improvements necessary for compliance with this chapter, then the Zoning Board of Appeals shall issue a certificate of necessity setting forth therein the person or persons to whom the certificate shall apply, such conditions as shall be necessary to protect the adjoining property, reasonable time limits during which such certificate shall operate, precautions to be taken to avoid damages and, where the Board deems proper, that a bond be procured at the expense of any persons seeking access to secure the adjoining property against damage to persons or property arising out of such rights of access. The bond shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) unless conditions deemed advisable by the Board appear otherwise, and the amount set shall take into consideration the extent, nature and duration of the repairs, the proximity of the improvement on the premises affected and potential risk of damage thereto. The bond shall be filed with the Property Maintenance Officer.
(d) Procedure Where Access Is Refused. Any refusal to comply with this section or any interference with access to premises pursuant to a certificate issued hereunder shall be a violation of this chapter, and, in addition to penalties provided hereunder, the Property Maintenance Officer may, upon affidavit, apply to the Municipal Court for a warrant under the procedure set forth in Section 1361.11(f) authorizing access to the premises under appropriate conditions and circumstances as provided under subsection (c) hereof.
(Ord. 703. Passed 2-11-85.)