[Adopted as Ch. 50 of the 1949 Code]
When used in this Article, the following words and terms shall have the meanings indicated, unless otherwise expressly stated:
BOARD OF HEALTH
City Council.
BUSINESS PLACE
Any building or premises used for business, commercial or industrial purposes.
HEALTH OFFICER
The Health Officer of the city.
INHABITED DWELLING
Any building or premises used for human occupancy or dwelling.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 50-1, Title, which immediately preceded this section, was deleted at time of adoption of Code, and this section amended 12-1-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986.
The Health Officer is charged with the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. He shall have the jurisdiction and power to take such steps as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, as well as any other orders and regulations of the Board of Health pertaining to the general health. The Health Officer, or any duly authorized representative appointed by him, shall have the power to examine into complaints and notices concerning conditions dangerous or detrimental to life or public health and may, when in his judgment imminent danger exists or is believed to exist, enter into and examine premises, buildings, lots and enclosures where such conditions are known or reasonably believed to exist. If such imminent danger does exist, the Health Officer, or his representative, is empowered to take such reasonable steps as may be necessary to protect life or public health until removal or remedying of the condition causing the same can otherwise be enforced.
No person shall interfere with or obstruct the entrance to any house, building, vessel or other premises by the Health Officer, or his duly authorized representative, in the discharge of his official duties; nor shall any person interfere with or obstruct any inspection or examination by the Health Officer, or his duly authorized representative, in the discharge of an official duty.
A. 
Where specifically authorized in this chapter, the Health Officer shall have the authority to remedy certain unsanitary conditions in the manner following:
(1) 
He shall serve written notice upon the owner, lessee or occupant, or any person having care or control of the premises upon which the condition to be corrected is located, to comply with the provisions of the same.
(2) 
If the person upon whom the notice is served fails, neglects or refuses to comply with the provisions of the notice within forty-eight (48) hours after the receipt thereof or if no person can be found in the city who either is or claims to be the owner of such lot or land or premises upon which such condition exists or is located or who either represents or claims to represent such owner, the Health Officer shall cause such condition to be corrected through the facilities of the Department of Public Works, if available, otherwise through such facilities as he may select.
[Amended 7-2-1990]
B. 
The actual cost of correcting such condition [minimum charge of one (1) hour labor and one (1) hour equipment, plus materials], plus five percent (5%) thereof for inspection and other costs in connection therewith, shall be certified to the Board of Assessors and shall thereafter become and be a lien upon the property whereon such condition exists or is located and shall be added to and become a part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such lot or land and shall bear interest at the same rate as taxes and shall be collected and enforced by the same officer and in the same manner as taxes.
[Amended 12-1-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986]
A. 
The Health Officer shall have authority to issue or renew all licenses and permits required by this chapter.
B. 
Applications therefor shall be made in writing to the Health Officer upon forms to be provided by the City Clerk.
C. 
Such license or permit shall issue only if and upon the condition that:
(1) 
No nuisance or danger to the public safety, comfort, health or repose shall be occasioned by the purpose or activity for which the license is requested.
(2) 
The applicant therefor, his agents and employees, conform to all laws and regulations pertinent to the purpose or activity for which the license is requested, to include laws of the State of New York, provisions of this chapter and such orders and regulations as the Board of Health may promulgate for the preservation of life and health.
D. 
The Health Officer, after notice and hearing, shall have the authority to suspend or revoke any license or permit for breach of any of the foregoing conditions after its issuance.
E. 
Licenses or permits shall be nontransferable.
F. 
Fees for licenses or permits shall be paid at the time application therefor is made.
G. 
Renewal licenses or permits shall be issued in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as an original license or permit.
A. 
Nothing in this chapter shall authorize or be deemed to authorize any practice, method, requirement, rule or regulation pertaining to health and sanitation which is less stringent than that established by the laws of the State of New York, and whenever said state law may establish any practice, method, requirement, rule or regulation more stringent than that required by this chapter, said practice, method, requirement, rule or regulation of the laws of the State of New York shall apply. This section shall refer more particularly to the Public Health Law and Sanitary Code of the State of New York, and such other state laws as delegate the authority of enforcement to the local Health Officer.
B. 
Further, the City of Watertown hereby specifically incorporates by reference the following sections of the New York State Sanitary Code:
[Amended 12-1-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986]
(1) 
Chapter I, Subpart 14-1, Service Food Establishments, as modified by Subsections 14-1.190 and 14-1.192, as attached thereto.
(2) 
Chapter I, Subpart 14-2, Temporary Food Service Establishments, as modified by Subsection 14-2.2, as attached thereto.
(3) 
Chapter I, Subpart 14-3, Retail Frozen Desserts, as modified by Subsection 14-3.24, as attached thereto.
(4) 
Chapter I, Subpart 14-4, Mobile Food Service Establishments and Pushcarts, as modified by Subsection 14-4.190, as attached thereto.
(5) 
Chapter I, Subpart 14-5, The Vending of Food and Beverages, as modified by Subsections 14-5.180, 5.184, 5.185, 5.186, 5.188, 5.190, 5.191, as attached thereto.