§ 18-10. Powers and duties of the building official.

The building official, hereinafter including his designee, is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The building official shall have the authority to render interpretations of this chapter and to adopt policies and procedures in order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, policies and procedures shall be in compliance with the intent and purpose of this chapter, and shall not have the effect of waiving requirements specifically provided for in this chapter. To the extent not inconsistent with the building code adopted by the city, the building official shall have the following powers and duties:

(1)

Right of entry. Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this chapter, or whenever the building official has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition or code violation which makes such building, structure, premises, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building official may enter such building, structure or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the building official by the code. If such building or premises are occupied, he shall first present proper credentials and request entry. If such building, structure, or premises are unoccupied, he shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of such and request entry. If entry is refused or the owner is unable to be located in a timely manner, the building official shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.

(2)

Inspections. When the building official shall have first obtained a proper inspection warrant or other remedy provided by law to secure entry, no owner or occupant or any other persons having charge, care or control of any building, structure, or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper request is made as herein provided, to promptly permit entry therein by the building official for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this chapter.

(3)

Existing building inspections. Before issuing a permit, the building official may examine or cause to be examined any building, electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems for which an application has been received for a permit to enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, install, or change the occupancy. He shall inspect all buildings, structures, electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing systems, from time to time, during and upon completion of the work for which a permit was issued. He shall make a record of every such examination and inspection and of all violations of the technical building codes.

(4)

Manufacturers and fabricators. When deemed necessary by the building official, he shall make, or cause to be made, an inspection of materials or assemblies at the point of manufacture or fabrication. A record shall be made of every such examination and inspection and of all violations of the technical building codes. For products not covered under the statewide product evaluation and approval system, the building official may require tests or test reports as proof of compliance. Required tests are to be made at the expense of the owner, or his agent, by an approved testing laboratory or other approved agency.

(5)

Inspection service. The building official may make, or cause to be made, the inspections required by section 18-10(b). The specific required inspections and inspection sequence shall be determined upon application for a building permit. The building official may accept reports of building department inspectors, independent inspectors or of recognized inspection services, provided that after investigation he is satisfied as to their licensure, qualifications and reliability. A certificate required by any provision of the code shall not be based on such reports unless the same are recorded by the building code inspector, architect or engineer performing building code inspections in a manner specified by the building official. All persons making such inspections shall be certified in accordance to F.S. ch. 468.

(6)

Stop work orders. Upon notice from the building official, work on any building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system that is being done contrary to the provisions of this chapter or the code or in a dangerous or unsafe manner, shall immediately cease. Such notice shall be in writing and shall be given to the owner of the property, or to his agent, or to the person doing the work, or by posting the building, structure or property upon which work is being performed and shall state the reason(s) for stopping work. The building official shall not be required to give a written notice prior to stopping the work.

(Ord. No. 02-04, § 2, 3-28-02)