Chapter 2.32
BUILDING INSPECTOR
Sections:
2.32.040 Inspections generally.
2.32.090 Cooperation of other officials.
2.32.100 Right of entry for inspection.
2.32.110 Copies of permits to assessor.
2.32.120 Setting of grade – Fee.
2.32.130 Repealed.
2.32.140 Property maintenance inspector.
2.32.010 Appointment – Term.
There is created the office of building inspector for the village. The building inspector shall be appointed annually by the village president with the consent of the board of trustees and shall hold office until his successor is appointed. During the temporary absence or disability of the inspector, the village president shall designate a substitute to act in matters that require prompt official attention.
2.32.020 Qualifications.
To be eligible for appointment, the building inspector shall have had such training and experience as a civil engineer or superintendent of construction as may be deemed necessary by the village board. He shall be generally informed on the quality and strength of building materials; on the prevailing methods of building construction; on good practice in fire prevention; and on the proper installation of plumbing, electric wiring and other installations for the safety, comfort and convenience of occupants. He shall be in good health, physically capable of making the necessary examinations and inspections of buildings in the course of construction, and he shall not have any interest whatever, directly or indirectly, in the sale or manufacture of any material, process or device entering into or used in or in connection with building construction.
2.32.030 Duties.
The building inspector shall devote so much of his time to the duties of his office as may necessarily be required. He shall examine applications for building permits and make recommendations in connection therewith to the village board and to the chairman of the committee on buildings and public grounds. He shall examine premises for which permits have been issued, and he shall make necessary inspections to see that the provisions of village ordinances and state statutes are complied with and that construction is prosecuted safely. He shall enforce all laws and ordinances relating to the construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, equipment, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of buildings and structures except as may be otherwise provided for. He shall, when requested by the village president or the village board, or when the interests of the village so require, make investigations in connection with matters referred to in this chapter and the ordinances of the village and render written reports on the same. For the purpose of enforcing compliance with village ordinances, to remove illegal or unsafe conditions, to secure the necessary safeguards during the construction or to require adequate exit facilities in existing buildings and structures, he shall issue such notices, orders or recommendations as may be necessary.
2.32.040 Inspections generally.
Inspections required under the provisions of village ordinances shall be made by the building inspector or a duly appointed assistant; provided, that he may accept reports of inspectors of recognized inspection services, after investigation of their qualifications and reliability. No certificate or recommendation called for by any provision of a village ordinance shall be based upon such reports unless the same are in writing and certified by a responsible officer of such services.
2.32.060 Adoption of rules.
For carrying into effect the provisions of this chapter and other applicable existing village ordinances, the building inspector shall adopt such rules as may be consistent with such ordinances, it being the intent of this requirement that the standards of federal or state bureaus, national technical organizations or fire underwriters, as the same may be amended from time to time, shall serve as a guide in fixing the minimum rules of practice under village ordinances. For the purpose of securing for the public the benefits of new developments in the building industry and yet insuring public safety, the building inspector shall make or cause to be made investigations or may accept duly authenticated reports from reliable sources as authorized by village ordinance, of new materials or modes of construction, intended for use in the construction of buildings or structures in the village which are not specifically provided for by village ordinance, and shall recommend to the village board through the chairman of the buildings and public grounds committee the adoption of rules setting forth the conditions under which such materials or modes of construction may be used. No rule of the building inspector shall become effective, however, until his recommendation for the adoption of such rule has been accepted by the village board acting through the committee on buildings and public grounds. Rules so adopted by the village board shall have the same force and effect as the provisions of existing village ordinances. Any such rule may be amended, modified or repealed by the village board at any time after its adoption, with or without the recommendation of the building inspector.
2.32.070 Record-keeping.
The building inspector shall keep careful and comprehensive records of applications of permits issued, all inspections made, all reports rendered and all rules and orders issued. He shall retain on file copies of all papers in connection with building work so long as any part of the building or structure to which they relate may be in existence. All such records shall be open to public inspection at reasonable hours but shall not be removed from the office of building inspector.
2.32.080 Reports.
The building inspector shall make a report to the village president once each month, or more often if requested, including statements of permits issued, rules adopted and recommendations made to the village board.
2.32.090 Cooperation of other officials.
The building inspector may request and shall receive so far as may be necessary, in the discharge of his duties, the assistance and cooperation of the village engineer in fixing grades, of the police department in enforcing orders, of the village attorney and prosecutor in prosecuting violations, and of other village officers and employees.
2.32.100 Right of entry for inspection.
A. The building inspector, in the discharge of his duties, shall have authority to enter any building, structure or premises at any reasonable hour.
B. For the purpose of identification he may adopt a badge of office which he shall display on demand; provided, that in an emergency any other method of identification shall be sufficient.
C. Refusal of any person, firm or corporation to permit entry to any building, structure or premises by the building inspector or by such other village officer as by him designated for the purpose of inspection as herein provided for, shall be deemed a misdemeanor.
2.32.110 Copies of permits to assessor.
In addition to all other duties, the building inspector shall forward to the township assessor and county assessor a copy of each building permit issued within fifteen days of such issuance. Each such copy shall show the legal description of the lot or area concerned, and the real estate index number, if any.
2.32.120 Setting of grade – Fee.
The building inspector may request that a grade be set for any concrete foundations, driveways or other types of construction by any contractor or applicant. Any person requiring that a grade be set by the consulting engineer to the village shall pay at the time of application a fee equal to the current charge to the village by the village engineer plus fifty dollars. (Ord. 2007-05 § 1, 2007; Ord. 2006-17 § 1, 2006; Ord. 96-7 § 1, 1996; Ord. 93-18 § 1, 1993; Ord. 88-3, 1988; Ord. 83-15 § 1, 1983)
2.32.130 Inspection required – Certificate of reoccupation.
Repealed by Ord. 2014-24. (Ord. 2002-12 § 1, 2002; Ord. 93-18 § 2, 1993; Ord. 92-13 § 1, 1992; Ord. 92-11 § 1, 1992; Ord. 88-1, 1988; Ord. 86-6 § 1, 1986)
2.32.140 Property maintenance inspector.
There is hereby created the position of property maintenance inspector. The property maintenance inspector shall be appointed annually by the village president with the consent of the board of trustees. (Ord. 97-19, 1997)
2.32.150 Qualifications.
To be eligible for appointment, the property maintenance inspector shall have had such training and experience with code enforcement or equivalent level of training as may be deemed necessary by the village board. He shall possess a high school diploma or GED certificate, a valid driver’s license, excellent written and/or communication skills and a quality to effectively deal with village residents and persons requiring his services; knowledge and experience with computers, office machines, filing systems and organizational skills; comprehension and enforcement of the applicable laws and ordinances of the village. (Ord. 97-19, 1997)
2.32.160 Duties.
The property maintenance inspector shall communicate to the residents appropriate recycling methods, trash removal and property maintenance requirements. He shall perform exterior visual inspections of property within the village and to effectuate compliance with applicable laws, codes and ordinances of the village and to take the necessary steps to seek compliance therewith. Said inspector shall have the ability to perform said duties and to physically and visually inspect structures and adjacent premises by means of driving and walking. Communication by telephone, fax machine, computer and such other means deemed appropriate to carry out the duties of said position are required. The property maintenance inspector shall perform other duties and functions as designated from time to time by the president and board of trustees. (Ord. 97-19, 1997)
2.32.170 Cooperation.
The property maintenance inspector shall cooperate with all village officers, inspectors and departments in the enforcement of the codes and ordinances of the village. (Ord. 97-19, 1997)
2.32.180 Compensation.
The property maintenance inspector shall receive compensation in such amount and manner as the board shall fix from time to time by ordinance or resolution. (Ord. 97-19, 1997)