A. 
There is hereby designated in the Village of Russell Gardens (hereafter the "Village") a public official to be known as the Building Inspector, who may be appointed by the Village Board of Trustees (hereafter the "Village Board") for a term of one year, or to serve at the pleasure of the Village Board, at a compensation to be fixed by the Village Board.
B. 
In the absence of the Building Inspector or failure of his appointment, or in the case of his inability to act for any reason, the Mayor shall have the power, with the consent of the Village Board, to designate a person to act in the Building Inspector's behalf and to exercise all of the powers conferred upon him by this chapter; alternatively, the Village Board may assume such powers.
C. 
All powers exercised by the Building Inspector shall be subject to the approval of the Village Board.
D. 
Wherever the words "Building Inspector" shall be used, they shall also mean "Acting Building Inspector" or "Village Board."
No Building Inspector shall engage in any activity inconsistent with his duties or with the interests of the Village, nor shall be, during the term of his employment or appointment, 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 Village, except that this provision shall not prohibit the Building Inspector from such activities in connection with the construction of a building or structure owned by him or in which he has a proprietary interest.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 20, Ethics, Code of.
A. 
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, ordinance or regulation, or except as herein otherwise provided, and subject to the approval of the Village Board, the Building Inspector 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; the installation and use of materials and equipment therein; the location use, occupancy and maintenance thereof; the removal of shrubs and trees from vacant land; the excavation or stripping of land; and the removal of soil, sand or gravel from vacant land; provided, however, that the Building Inspector shall have no power to vary or modify any provisions of applicable building laws, ordinances or rules and regulations.
B. 
He shall review applications and cause permits to be issued for the erection, alteration, removal and demolition of buildings or structures or parts thereof, and for any other operation or activity for which a permit is required under the provisions of this chapter. He 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.
C. 
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 applicable laws, ordinances or regulations.
D. 
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 other Building Inspectors or from generally recognized and authoritative services and inspection bureaus, provided that the same are in a form satisfactory to the Building Inspector and conform with rules and regulations promulgated by the Village Board.
E. 
Whenever the same may be necessary or appropriate to assure compliance with the provisions of applicable laws, ordinances or 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.
[Amended 6-26-1979 by L.L. No. 4-1979]
A. 
Right of entry.
(1) 
In the case of buildings or structures under construction or vacant land, the Building Inspector, upon showing proper credentials and in the discharge of his duties, may enter upon such buildings, structures or premises at any reasonable hour, and no person shall interfere with or prevent such entry. Any person interfering with or preventing or impeding the Building Inspector from effecting entry into premises or upon vacant land in the course of the discharge of his duties shall be deemed guilty of a violation under the provisions of this chapter.
(2) 
In the case of occupied premises, the Building Inspector shall, upon receipt of information indicating or alleging that a violation of this chapter exists on such premises, arrange with the owner or lessee of said premises, or the authorized agent of either, a reasonable time when the Building Inspector can effect entry into said premises for the purpose of discharging his duties under this chapter. In the event that the owner or lessee, or the authorized agent of either, shall fail or refuse to arrange a reasonable time for entry by the Building Inspector into said premises, the Building Inspector shall notify the Village Board and/or the Village Attorney, who shall take such action as is appropriate and necessary to effect entry. Any person interfering with or preventing or impeding the Building Inspector from effecting entry into premises, after arrangements for such entry have been made with the owner or lessee, or agent of either, shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this chapter. The provisions of this subsection shall not affect the right of entry into premises afforded by Article II of this chapter, pertaining to inspection of apartment houses and business structures.
B. 
The failure of the Building Inspector to discover and/or properly report any hazard to person or property, or his neglect or omission to otherwise perform his duties, shall not subject him or the Village Board or its members to any civil or other liability unless such omission or act involves malfeasance in office.
A. 
The Building Inspector and/or Village Clerk 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, provided that said inspection does not interfere with the operation of the Village Offices, as determined by the Village Clerk. Copies of such records may be furnished at such fees as represent the reasonable cost thereof, as determined by the Village Board, unless said fees are specifically provided for in § 12-16.
B. 
The Building Inspector and/or Village Clerk shall, monthly, or upon demand, submit to the Village Board a written report and summary of all business conducted, including permits and certificates issued, fees collected, orders and notices promulgated, inspections and tests made and appeals or litigation pending.
The Building Inspector may request and shall receive, so far as may be necessary in the discharge of his duties, the assistance and cooperation of other municipal officials exercising any jurisdiction over the construction, use or occupancy of buildings or the installation of equipment therein.