There is hereby created the Building Department
of the City. This department shall consist of the Code Compliance
Officer and other officials and employees as may be provided for by
the Council.
A.
Enforcement of building laws. The Building Department
shall by all appropriate means enforce all the laws and ordinances
of the City relating to the condition, construction, repair, alteration,
addition or demolition of buildings or structures, including codes
regarding related work such as plumbing, electrical, mechanical, elevator,
and the like. Department personnel shall make all appropriate inspections
and engage in related activities in connection therewith.
B.
Prosecution. Personnel of the Building Department
shall sign complaints and appear in court of necessary to enforce
the laws and ordinances referred to above.
There is hereby established the office of Code
Compliance Officer, whose hiring shall be recommended by the City
administration (Mayor) and approved by the City Council. The Code
Compliance Officer shall act as the Zoning Administrator, Plumbing
Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Heating/Air-conditioning/Ventilation
Inspector, Elevator Inspector, and Plans Examiner in the absence of
appointment of other persons in the Building Department to those positions.
The Code Compliance Officer shall:
A.
Be responsible for ensuring that the functions of
the Building Department are performed.
B.
Issue or cause to be issued all permits required for
building construction and uses of property regulated by this chapter.
C.
Be chief enforcement officer for the Building Code
and shall be charged with the responsibility of ensuring that this
chapter is enforced.
D.
Enforce other related ordinances of the City as provided
therein.
No member or employee of the Building Department shall engage in any occupation or business nor shall any such member or employee be interested in any manner in any business which is subject to the regulations of this chapter or Chapter 300, Zoning.
A.
This chapter shall constitute and be known as the
"Lexington Building Code" and may be cited as such; and all aspects
of buildings, including, but not limited to, the erection, construction,
enlargement, rebuilding, alteration, repairing, moving, shoring, removal,
demolition, equipment, use, height, area, conversion of occupancy,
and the installation of plumbing, heating apparatus, boilers, elevators,
electrical wiring, mechanical ventilation, natural lighting and maintenance
of all buildings or structures within the corporate limits of the
City, shall be carried out in conformity herewith.
B.
The requirements contained in this chapter shall apply
to all buildings or structures now existing or hereafter erected.
All buildings or structures and all parts thereof shall be maintained
in a safe condition, and all devices or safeguards which are required
by this chapter at the erection, alteration or repair of any building
shall be maintained in good working order.
C.
This section shall not be construed as permitting
the removal or nonmaintenance of any previously authorized or required
devices or safeguards unless authorized in writing by the Code Compliance
Officer.
A.
In the event of any conflict between or among any
codes adopted in this chapter; or between any code adopted in this
chapter and any other provision of the Municipal Code of the City
of Lexington; or between any code adopted in this chapter and any
provision of any code adopted by any other provision of the Municipal
Code of Lexington; or between any code adopted in this chapter and
any provision of state law, the provision setting the highest standard
for health and safety shall prevail.
B.
Decisions of the Department under this section shall
be reviewable by the Board of Appeals as provided in this chapter.
