[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Catasauqua
7-6-1970 by Ord. No. 645 (Ch. I, Secs. 161 to 162, of the 1962 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
Creation of Office of Code Enforcement. There is hereby
created by the Council of the municipality an office of the municipality to
be known as the "Office of Code Enforcement." Said office shall have the responsibility
for administering and enforcing the provisions of this chapter and of those
other codes and/or ordinances of the municipality (hereinafter referred to
as the "applicable codes and ordinances") which designate said Office of Code
Enforcement as their official administration and enforcement agency.
Appointment of Code Enforcement Officer. There shall
be appointed by the Manager of the municipality a Code Enforcement Officer
who shall be in charge of the Office of Code Enforcement of the municipality.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall supervise such other employees or assistants
as shall be necessary for the administration and execution of the responsibilities
of said office, as appointed by the Manager.
Relief from personal liability. The Code Enforcement
Officer or other official or employee shall not, while acting for the municipality,
render himself liable personally because of any act or omission as required
or permitted in the discharge of his official duties. Any suit instituted
against such Code Enforcement Officer, official or employee, because of any
act performed by him in the lawful discharge of his duties, shall be defended
by the Solicitor of the municipality and in no case will said Officer, official
or employee be liable for costs in any action, suit or proceeding.
Official record. An official record shall be kept of
all business and activities of the Office of Code Enforcement and all such
records shall be open to the public for inspection at all appropriate times.
Enforcement by Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement
Officer shall enforce and administer all of the provisions of this chapter
and of those other applicable codes and ordinances which establish the Office
of Code Enforcement as their official administration and enforcement agency.
Duties of Code Enforcement Officer. The duties of the
Code Enforcement Officer shall include the receipt of applications, the issuance
of permits, notices, certificates and orders, the making of inspections, to
determine conformance with applicable codes and ordinances, the undertaking
of research and investigations, the establishment of appropriate rules, the
keeping of records, the issuance of written annual reports and such other
activities as may be required.
Right of entry. In the discharge of his duties the Code
Enforcement Officer or his authorized representative shall, upon showing proper
identification, have the authority to enter, at any reasonable hour, any structure
or premises in the municipality to enforce the provisions of this chapter
and of those other applicable codes and ordinances. The assistance and cooperation
of all other municipality officials, including Police and Fire Departments,
shall be available to the Code Enforcement Officer to assist in the performance
of his duties and in securing right of entry. The owner, operator or occupant
or other person in charge of any structure or premises shall give the Code
Enforcement Officer free access thereto and it shall be unlawful to refuse
or impede entrance of the Code Enforcement Officer to said structure or premises
for the purpose of making any required inspection. If any such owner, operator
or other occupant or other person in charge refuses or impedes any required
or lawful inspection, the municipality may seek, in a court of competent jurisdiction,
an order that such owner, occupant or person in charge shall cease and desist
with such interference.