(A) (1) The Building Official or his or her authorized representative shall receive all applications required to be submitted to him or her by this code, and he or she shall issue permits and certificates.
(2) He or she shall examine premises for which permits have been issued and make necessary inspections to see that the provisions of law are complied with and that construction is prosecuted safely.
(3) He or she shall enforce all provisions of the Building Code. He or she shall, when requested by proper authority, or when the public interest so requires, make investigations in connection with matters referred to in the Building Code and render written reports thereon.
(4) To enforce compliance with law, to remove illegal or unsafe conditions, to secure the necessary safeguards during construction, or to require adequate exit facilities in buildings and structures, he or she shall issue such notices or orders as may be necessary.
(B) (1) Inspections required under the provisions of the Building Code shall be made by the Building Official or his or her duly authorized agents. The Building Official may accept reports of inspectors of recognized inspection services, after investigation of their qualifications and reliability.
(2) No certificate called for by any provision of the Building Code shall be issued on such reports unless they are in writing and certified to by a responsible officer of such service.
(C) The Building Official shall keep comprehensive records of applications, of permits issued, of certificates issued, of inspections made, of reports rendered, and of notices or orders issued. He or she shall retain on file copies of required plans and all documents relating to building work so long as any part of the building or structure to which they relate may be in existence.
(D) All such records shall be open to public inspection for good and sufficient reasons at the stated office hours, but shall not be removed from the office of the Building Official without his or her written consent.
(E) The Building Official shall make written reports to his or her immediate superior once each month, or more often if requested, including statements of permits and certificates issued, and orders promulgated.
(Prior Code, § 5-5)