[Adopted 7-27-1964 as part of Ch. 5 of the 1964
Code of Ordinances (Ch. 32, Art. V of the 1981 Code)]
There is hereby designated in the City a public official to be known
as the "Building Official," who shall be appointed by the Common Council at
a compensation to be fixed by it.
In the absence of the Building Official or in the case of his inability
to act for any reason, the Mayor shall have the power, with the consent of
the Common Council, to designate a person to act in behalf of the Building
Official and to exercise all the powers conferred upon him by this Code.
The Common Council may appoint one or more building inspectors as the
need may appear, to act under the supervision of the Building Official and
to exercise any portion of his powers and duties. The compensation of such
building inspectors shall be fixed by the Common Council.
No officer or employee of the Building Department shall engage in any
activity inconsistent with his duties or with the interests of the Building
Department, nor shall he, during the term of his employment, be engaged directly
or indirectly in any building business, in the furnishing of labor, materials
or appliances for the construction, alteration or maintenance of a building
or the preparation of plans or specifications thereof within the City, except
that this provision shall not prohibit any employee from such activities in
connection with the construction of a building or structure owned by him and
not constructed for sale.
A.
Building laws. Except as otherwise specifically provided
by law, ordinance or regulation, or except as herein otherwise provided, the
Building Official shall administer and enforce all of the provisions of laws,
ordinances and regulations applicable to the construction, alteration, repair,
removal and demolition of buildings and structures, and the installation and
use of materials and equipment therein, and the location, use, occupancy and
maintenance thereof.
B.
Rules. He shall have the power to adopt rules, with the
consent of the Common Council, to secure the intent and purposes of this article
and a proper enforcement of the laws, ordinances and regulations governing
building construction.
C.
Authority as to applications and permits. He shall receive
applications and issue permits for the erection, alteration, removal and demolition
of buildings or structures or parts thereof and shall examine the premises
for which such applications have been received or such permits have been issued
for the purpose of ensuring compliance with laws, ordinances and regulations
governing building construction.
D.
Notices; orders; inspections. He shall issue all appropriate
notices or orders to remove illegal or unsafe conditions, to require the necessary
safeguards during construction and to ensure compliance during the entire
course of construction with the requirements of such laws, ordinances and
regulations. He shall make all inspections which are necessary or proper for
the carrying out of his duties, except that he may accept written reports
of inspection from building inspectors or other employees or
from generally recognized and authoritative service and inspection bureaus,
provided that the same are certified by a responsible official thereof.
E.
Tests. Whenever the same may be necessary or appropriate
to assure compliance with the provisions of applicable laws, ordinances and
regulations covering building construction, he may require the performance
of tests in the field by experienced, professional persons or by accredited
and authoritative testing laboratories or service bureaus or agencies.
A.
Contents of records. The Building Official shall keep
permanent official records of all transactions and activities conducted by
him, including all applications received, permits and certificates issued,
fees charged and collected, inspection reports, and notices and orders issued.
All such records shall be public records, open to public inspection during
business hours.
B.
Annual report; contents. The Building Official shall
annually submit to the Common Council a written report and summary of all
business conducted by him, including permits and certificates issued, fees
collected, orders and notices promulgated, inspections and tests made and
appeals or litigation pending.
The Building Official may request and shall receive, so far as may be
necessary in the discharge of his duties, the assistance and cooperation of
the Police, Fire and Health Departments and of all municipal officials exercising
any jurisdiction over the construction, use or occupancy of buildings or the
installation of equipment therein.
