The Housing Code Inspector shall be responsible for the administration
and enforcement of this chapter.
Commencing with the third anniversary of the effective date of this
Part 2:
A. It shall be unlawful to occupy or use any premises unless
and until a certificate of compliance shall have been issued by the Housing
Code Inspector certifying that such premises conforms to the housing standards,
except that a temporary certificate may be issued upon a showing, to the satisfaction
of the Housing Code Inspector, that remedial action is being taken to correct
violations.
B. A certificate of compliance shall be valid for three
years from the date of issue, except a new certificate shall be required for
every premises, improved or unimproved, if the use or occupancy is changed,
a building or structure is altered, or vacant premises are reoccupied; a certificate
may be revoked, by written notice thereof, if upon an inspection premises
are found to be in violation of the housing standards.
Whenever the Housing Code Inspector, at any stage of the proceedings instituted under the provisions of this chapter, finds that a violation of this chapter exists which, in his or her opinion, requires immediate action to abate a direct hazard, or immediate danger to the health, safety, morals, or welfare of the occupants of a building or of the public, he or she may, without prior notice or hearing, issue an order citing the violation and directing that such action be taken as is necessary to remove or abate the hazard or danger. Such order may include an order to vacate as provided in §
182-62. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, such an order shall be effective immediately upon service and shall be complied with immediately or as otherwise provided.
Whenever any violation of this chapter which, in the opinion of the Housing Code Inspector, causes a direct hazard or immediate danger to the health, safety, morals, or welfare of the occupants of a building or the public has not been corrected in the time specified by the order issued under §
182-60 of this chapter, the Housing Code Inspector may take such direct action as is necessary to abate the hazard or danger. Expenses incurred in the execution of such orders shall be recovered as provided in §
182-68 of this chapter.
Whenever a notice of violation, as provided in §
182-67 of this chapter, has not been complied with, the Housing Code Inspector may order the dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, or rooming unit to be vacated. A copy of such notice to vacate shall be served on the owner, agent, operator, and the occupant, as provided in §
182-67 of this chapter.
No owner of any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit,
or premises upon whom any notice or order pursuant to this chapter has been
served shall sell, transfer, grant, mortgage, lease or otherwise dispose of
such property to another until compliance with the provisions of such notice
or order has been secured or until such owner shall furnish to the purchaser,
transferree, grantee, mortgagee, or lessee, prior to such sale, transfer,
grant, mortgage or lease, a true copy of such notice or order and, at the
same time, give adequate notification to the Housing Code Inspector of his
intent to sell, transfer, grant, mortgage, or lease and the name and address
of such person, persons, or firm to whom or to which the sale, transfer, grant,
mortgage, or lease is proposed. A purchaser, transferee, grantee, mortgagee,
or lessee who has been informed of the existence of any notice or order issued
pursuant to this chapter shall be bound thereby.
Any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit having any
of the defects found in Subsections A through C herein may be designated by
the Housing Code Inspector as unfit for human habitation and may be so placarded.
A. The structure lacks illumination, ventilation, sanitation,
heat, or other facilities adequate to protect the health and safety of the
occupants or the public.
B. The structure is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, insanitary,
unsafe, or vermin infested in such a manner as to create a serious hazard
to the health and safety of the occupants or the public.
C. The structure, because of the location, general conditions,
state of the premises, or number of occupants, is so insanitary, unsafe, overcrowded,
or otherwise detrimental to health and safety that it creates a serious hazard
to the occupants or the public.
The owner, agent, or operator of any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming
house, or rooming unit which has been designated as unfit for human habitation
and vacated shall make such dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, or rooming
unit safe and secure in whatever manner the Housing Code Inspector shall deem
necessary. Any vacant building, open at the doors and windows, if unguarded,
shall be deemed dangerous to human life and a nuisance within the meaning
of this provision.
Costs incurred by the Housing Code Inspector in eliminating or removing nuisances and dangerous or unsafe conditions shall be paid for by the municipal treasury upon certification of the Housing Code Inspector. Such costs shall be charged against the premises and shall constitute a lien thereon in favor of the municipality, and the amount of such costs shall be entered on the tax rolls as being due and payable. Such costs may also be recovered in any other lawful manner and, in particular, Chapter
125 of this Municipal Code.
The Housing Code Inspector shall keep official records of, but not limited
to, registrations and reports filed, certificates issued, complaints received,
inspections made, violations found, orders issued, and actions taken. Such
records shall be public records, open to inspection during business hours.
Copies or transcripts of such records shall be furnished upon written application
and payment of any and all lawful fees.