§ 15.04.070. Inspection of existing buildings

The building inspector shall inspect or cause to be inspected annually all public build-ings, schools, halls, churches, theaters, hotels, tenements, commercial manufacturing or loft buildings for the purpose of determining their structural safety, facilities for egress in case of fire or panic, and compliance with the fire prevention rules of the city. In case of violations of the provisions of this code which make the buildings unsafe for occupancy or use, he or she shall issue a written notice of such violation to the owner, agent, lessee or occupant of such building, and if changes, alterations or repairs such as will properly remedy such violations are not made within thirty (30) days, he or she shall report the same to the city attorney for prosecution.

A. The building inspector shall inspect any building on which complaints are filed by any citizen of violations of the provisions of this chapter so as to make the building unsafe for occupancy or use.

B. It is unlawful to continue the use of any building on which violations of the provisions of this code are found, such as make the building unsafe for the occupancy or use, until changes, alterations or repairs ordered by the building inspector shall be made by the owner, agent, lessee or occupant: provided, that the owner, agent, lessee or occupant shall have thirty (30) days in which to comply with such order.

C. It shall be the duty of every owner, agent, lessee or occupant of any building to permit inspection by the building inspector or his or her authorized agent. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this code, or whenever the building official or his or her authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition or code violation which makes such building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building official or his or her authorized representative may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the building official by this code, provided that if such building or premises be occupied, he or she shall first present proper credentials and request entry; and if such building or premises be unoccupied, he or she shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If such entry is refused, the building official or his or her authorized representative shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.

(Prior code § 4-106)