The City Building Inspector shall conduct surveys and make inspections in any area of the city to determine whether all buildings and structures are in compliance with the city ordinances. He or she shall investigate all complaints whether they are verbal, written, or in the form of a petition alleging, and charging that a violation of the city ordinances exists, and that a building or structure is unfit or unsafe for human habitation. The Building Inspector is authorized upon properly identifying himself or herself to enter, inspect, survey, and investigate between the hours of 8:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m., or at any time if an emergency exists, or if requested by the owner, or occupant thereof. He or she shall keep records of all complaints received, inspection reports, orders, and complaints issued. The records shall be available for public inspection, and he or she shall prepare an annual report including statistics based on the records kept. The Building Inspector or his or her duly authorized agent, acting in good faith and without malice in the discharge of his or her official duties, shall not thereby render himself or herself liable personally and is hereby relieved from all personal liability for any damages that may accrue to persons or property as the result of any act required or by reason of any act or omission in the discharge of his or her official duties. Any suit brought against the Building Inspector or his or her duly authorized agent, because of any such act or omission performed by him or her shall be defended by the legal department of the city until final termination of the proceedings. The Building Inspector shall have no financial interest in the furnishing of labor, materials, or appliances for the construction, alteration, or maintenance of a building, except where he or she is the owner of a building, and he or she shall not act as an agent for any said dealer or as an agent for the sale, lease, or rental of any real estate. The Building Inspector shall report to the Mayor and Council as often as they may deem necessary and shall have such other duties and issue such permits as they may direct. The Building Inspector may be removed at any time for good and sufficient cause by the Mayor and Council. He or she shall not be removed from office except after he or she has been given a full opportunity to be heard concerning the specific charges of misbehavior or incompetence alleged. During the temporary absence or disability of the Building Inspector, the Mayor, with the advice and consent of three-fourths of the members of the City Council, shall designate an acting Building Inspector for such temporary absence or period of disability. When no other official is named, the Chief of Police shall be the acting Building Inspector.
('72 Code, § 1-218)
Cross reference:
Building Inspector, see §§ 150.080 et seq