(A) (1) As used in this chapter, the term ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL shall mean the Health Officer or the City Engineer or such other appropriate public official designated by the Mayor. The term shall also include any aide or employee of the Health Officer, City Engineer or other appropriate public official designated by the Mayor when said aide or employee is functioning under direct orders of said Health Officer, City Engineer or other appropriate public officer designated by the Mayor.
(2) The enforcement official shall administer and shall enforce compliance with this chapter.
(3) The enforcement official shall have, as his or her representatives, such inspectors and assistants as may be necessary to carry out effectively the powers and duties bestowed upon him or her; such representatives, inspectors and assistants shall be selected from within the Department of the Enforcement Official as much as possible.
(4) All inspectors and assistants of the enforcement official shall be qualified and shall be appointed as prescribed by local law and shall be furnished with appropriate official badges or identification cards.
(5) The enforcement official and his or her inspectors and assistants shall be free from personal liability for acts done in good faith in the performance of their official duties.
(Prior Code, § 19-21)
(B) (1) The enforcement official shall be charged with the duty of administering the provisions of this chapter and securing compliance. He or she shall be empowered to adopt rules and regulations necessary for securing such; provided that, such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with the ordinance or law.
(2) The enforcement official and any personnel duly authorized by him or her or designated by the Mayor are hereby authorized to conduct surveys of housing in any area of the city to determine the condition of premises, extent of deterioration, lack of facilities, inadequate maintenance, unsafe and insanitary conditions, extent of overcrowding, land use and other relevant factors.
(3) It shall be the duty of the enforcement official:
(a) To allow periodic inspections to be made of all premises within the scope of this chapter;
(b) To cause an investigation of all complaints of alleged housing violations or other unsafe or insanitary conditions;
(c) To order in writing the remedying of all conditions found to exist in or on any premises in violation of provisions of this chapter or of rules and regulations adopted by the enforcement official, to state in the violation order a reasonable time limit for compliance therewith and, where necessary, to order the vacation of premises found unfit for human habitation;
(d) To request the City Attorney to take appropriate legal action in the name of the city upon failure of the responsible party to comply with such violation order within the time specified therein;
(e) To cause a search of records of housing violations existing on any premises and to issue a certified statement thereof upon receipt of written request and payment of any fees required by local law;
(f) To study housing conditions in the city;
(g) To cooperate with other municipal, governmental and private agencies engaged in the study and improvement of housing conditions and private officials; and
(h) To publish an annual report of housing conditions in the city, accomplishments of the enforcement official and recommendations for the future.
(4) Where violations of this chapter exist and pose an immediate hazard or danger to the health, safety or welfare of building occupants or of the public, the enforcement official may issue an order citing the violation and directing such action by such officer, agent or employee of the city as is necessary to remove or abate the immediate hazard or danger.
(Prior Code, § 19-22)
(Ord. 312, passed 3-25-1963)