This chapter shall be known and referred to
as "Administration and Compliance Provisions."
The purpose of this chapter is to provide the
basic method for uniform administration of, and compliance with, applicable
housing standards, and to establish the responsibilities of those
concerned therewith.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
AGENT
The designated representative of an owner, lessor, operator,
occupant, or person, as filed with the Department of Development.
LESSOR
The grantor of a lease interest in premises.
OCCUPANT
The person in occupancy, or in possession, or in control
of premises, or using premises.
OPERATOR
The person engaged in the activity of renting or providing
space or premises for occupancy or use by others.
OWNER
The person exercising dominion or control over, or vested
with title in, premises; a proprietor (legal owner, joint owner, part
owner, record owner, equitable owner, reputed owner, or their successors
in interest); or the respective agent of any of them.
PERSON
The owner, lessor, operator, or occupant of premises, or
any firm or corporation, directly or indirectly in control of premises.
PREMISES
The land (improved or unimproved), place, property, buildings,
structures, equipment, facilities, and improvements, if any.
Commencing with the third anniversary of the
effective date of this chapter:
A. It shall be unlawful to occupy or use any premises
unless and until a certificate of compliance shall have been issued
by the Department of Development 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 Department of
Development, that remedial action is being taken to correct violations.
B. A certificate of compliance shall be valid for five
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.
The procedures for the abatement of unsafe buildings or structures shall be dealt with in accordance with Chapter
83 of this Municipal Code entitled "Unsafe Buildings."
The Department of Development 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.
[Amended 2-22-2005 by L.L. No. 2-2005; 4-16-2013]
A. Failure to comply with a violation order within the time limit stated shall constitute an offense. A person convicted of an offense shall be punished by the provisions established in §§
75-15 and
75-16 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both.
B. No remedy or penalty specified in this section shall
be the exclusive remedy or penalties available to address any violation
described in this section, and each remedy or penalty specified in
this section shall be in addition to and not in substitution for a
limitation of the other remedies or penalties specified in this section
or elsewhere in this Code.