(a) After receiving a complete application pursuant to Section 1751.05, the Housing Inspector will conduct an inspection of the dwelling; provided that the inspection of a single-family owner occupied dwelling will be limited to the rented area(s) together with the utilities serving them and the means of accessing them. The inspection shall include individuals certified to inspect
the dwelling for compliance with the Building Code.
(b) The Housing Inspector will notify the contact person identified on the application of the scheduled inspection in advance. The Housing Inspector may enter the dwelling to perform an inspection with the permission of any occupant or with the permission of the contact person identified on the application, if the contact person represents that she/he has the authority to grant entry to the dwelling. If the Housing Inspector cannot obtain permission to enter for inspection, the Housing Inspector may apply for a search warrant to conduct the inspection from any judicial officer having jurisdiction to issue such a warrant.
(c) The Housing Inspector shall promptly attempt to inspect any dwelling at the written request of the owner, or upon receipt of a written complaint from a person with demonstrable interest as an owner, occupant, tenant, or lessee of the dwelling unit, the dwelling, or an abutting property, which states the nature of the noncompliance with this article or the Building Code and includes evidence that the subject matter of the complaint has been reported to the operator in writing and that five (5) working days have since passed without the operator having made an effort to correct the alleged problem. In addition, the Housing Inspector may inspect any dwelling as frequently as necessary to ensure correction of any violation or this article or the Building Code. The fact that a complaint of nonconformance with this article is made by the occupant shall not be used as a ground, cause or basis for termination of the tenancy or reduction of services by the owner. However, at the end of any lease, the owner may change occupants.
(d) The Housing Inspector will prepare a written report of each inspection performed under this article. Each report should document any violation of this article and any order to an owner or operator to correct the violation together with the time period given for correction.
(e) If the Housing Inspector identifies a violation of this article, the Housing Inspector shall notify the contact person for the dwelling in writing and shall post notice of the violation at the property. The written and posted notice may be copies of the inspection report.
(f) If the violation noted in an inspection report is corrected, or if it is determined in accordance with any process established pursuant to the Building Code or the Fire Code that the condition does not constitute a violation; the Housing Inspector shall notify the contact person for the dwelling in writing and shall post notice of the corrected violation at the property. The written and posted notice may be copies of the inspection report if the determination is based on an inspection. (Ord. 531. Passed 10-3-22.)