Sec. 6-55.  Same--Right of entry.

 

(a)   Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this code, or whenever the code official or director of planning and development has reasonable cause to believe that there exists within or on any build­ing or premises, any equipment or wiring which makes such build­ing or premises dangerous, hazardous or unsafe, or that work is being done or has been done in violation of this code, then the code official is hereby authorized to enter within or on such building or premises at any reasonable time and to inspect the same provided that:

 

(1)        If such building or premises be occupied, he/she shall first pres­ent proper credentials to the occupant and demand entry, explaining his/her reasons therefor; and

 

(2)        If such building or premises be unoccupied, he/she shall first make reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of such building or premises and demand entry explaining his/her reasons therefor.

 

(b)   If such entry is refused or cannot be obtained because the owner or other person having charge or control cannot be found after due diligence, the code official or director of planning and development shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure lawful entry and inspect such building or premises.  If, after inspection, the code official or director of planning and development finds the work or equipment being used in a dangerous, hazardous or unsafe manner, he/she is hereby authorized to order discontinuance of such work or use of such equipment.

 

(c)   No owner or occupant or any other person having charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper demand is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry therein by the code official or director of planning and development for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this code.  Any person violating this section shall be guilty of an offense. 

 

Source: Ord. No. 3054, § 3, 2-16-82; Ord. No. 4699, § 1, 10-20-03; Ord. No. 5563, § 9, 8-20-18;