[Ord. No. 1341, 7-17-2002]
(a) 
Scope. The provisions of this division shall identify the person responsible for the maintenance of structures, and the equipment and premises thereof.
(b) 
Determination of person in violation. A person may be determined to be in violation of this article if deemed to be a person responsible, under the following subsections of this section, for a property which is in violation of any of the provisions of this article.
(c) 
Occupant. When it can be established to the satisfaction of the enforcing officer that the occupant has caused, or permitted to occur, a circumstance which results in a property being in violation of one or more of the provisions of this article, that occupant shall be deemed the person responsible for the property being in violation of this article. The code official may use an applicable inventory checklist in making a determination as to the responsible party.
(d) 
Owner—generally. In all events where a circumstance exists which results in the property being in violation of one or more provisions of this article, the owner shall be deemed the person responsible for the property being in violation of this article.
(e) 
Additional responsibility. In any event where an occupant shall be deemed the person responsible for the property being in violation of this article, the enforcing officer shall promptly notify the owner of the property of the determination of responsibility. The owner shall cause the occupant to cure the violations of this article. In the event the occupant shall fail to cure the violations of this article, the owner may take such action as shall be permitted by state law. If, within 30 days after being notified by the enforcing officer, the owner has neither caused the occupant to cure the violations nor commenced action to evict the occupant, the owner shall be deemed the responsible person for the property being in violation of this article. The fact that an owner becomes a person responsible for the property being in violation of this article under this subsection does not release the occupant from liability as a responsible person pursuant to this article.
(f) 
Imminent risk. In any event where the occupant is the person responsible for the property being in violation of this article, but there is an imminent risk to the health or safety of the public or of an occupant other than the person responsible for the property being in violation of this article, the owner shall promptly cure the defect on behalf of the responsible occupant. Such action on the part of the owner does not release the occupant of responsibility under this article. The owner may demand restitution from the responsible occupant for the cost of curing the violation of this article.
(g) 
City not responsible for cost reimbursement to owner. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, neither the City nor its enforcing officer and officials shall be responsible to prosecute and enforce the provisions of this article relating to monetary payments, restitution or reimbursement by a responsible occupant to an owner.