(A) General. This chapter shall be enforced by all Code Enforcement Officers of the City of White Hall. For the purposes of this chapter, a CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER shall be defined as any city employee who has been duty sworn and authorized to uphold the ordinances of the city and laws of the state related to property uses, maintenance, nuisances, inspections, issuances of building permits, certifications and licensing, and the like, within the municipal boundaries of the city. This chapter may also be enforced by any and all duly sworn law enforcement officers of the City Police Department.
(B) Identification. All Code Enforcement Officers shall carry proper identification and present the same upon request when performing duties under this chapter.
(C) Rule-making authority. The Code Enforcement Officer shall have authority as necessary in the interest of public health, safety and general welfare, to adopt and promulgate administrative and procedural rules and to interpret and implement the provisions of this chapter in a manner consistent with the intent thereof. Such rules shall not have the effect of waiving structural or fire performance requirements specifically provided for in this chapter, or of violating accepted engineering methods involving public safety. Rules and interpretations made pursuant to this division are considered to be administrative determinations subject to appeal as provided by § 96.137. No citations may be issued based upon a rule or interpretation under this division until interested parties have been informed about the decision and been afforded an opportunity to appeal. The Code Enforcement Officer shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, a file of all administrative rules made pursuant to this division which shall be available for copy and inspection by the public.
(D) Modifications. Whenever there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the Code Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to grant modifications for individual cases, provided the Code Enforcement Officer shall first make written findings that a special condition or circumstance exists such that the strict letter of this chapter is impractical and the modification is in compliance with the intent and purpose of this chapter and that such modification does not lessen health, life and fire safety requirements. The details of action granting modifications shall be recorded and entered in the department files.
(Ord. 442, passed 3-19-12)