§ 10-604. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENFORCEMENT.

(a)

Authority: The Director shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of this article. For such purposes, the Director shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer. For purposes of declaring and abating fire hazards pursuant to the provisions of this article, the Director is also authorized to perform the duties imposed on the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 10, Article 5 of this Code. The Director shall have the power to render interpretations of this article and to adopt and enforce rules and supplemental regulations in order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, rules and regulations shall be in conformity with the intent and purpose of this article.

(b)

Right of Entry: Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any provision of this article, or whenever the director has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises, any condition which makes such building or premises a public nuisance as defined in Section 10-605 of this article, the director may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the director by this article, including the abatement of any public nuisance, provided all inspections, entries, and abatements shall be done in a reasonable manner and with the consent of owner, agent or occupant. If an owner, occupant or agent refuses permission to enter, or inspect, or abate, the director may seek an administrative warrant pursuant to the procedures provided for in Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1822.50 through 1822.59, as amended, to perform the duties imposed upon the director.

(c)

Responsibilities Defined: Owners remain liable for violations of duties imposed by this article even though an obligation is also imposed on the occupants of the building. Buildings, structures, premises and parts thereof shall be maintained in a nuisance free condition. The owner or the owner's designated agent shall be responsible for such maintenance. To determine compliance with this subsection, the building or premises may be reinspected.

(Added Ord. 97-77, § 2, eff. 1-29-98).