Sec. 11.6.6. Inspections

  1. The inspector is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections to determine the condition of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units and premises located within the City and its extraterritorial jurisdiction in order that the inspector may perform the duty of safeguarding the health and safety of the occupants of dwellings and of the general public. Should the owner or occupant of any dwelling refuse to permit the inspector reasonable access, such inspector shall proceed to obtain a search warrant pursuant to G.S. 15-27.2.
  2. It shall be unlawful for any owner or the agent of any owner to occupy, rent or offer for occupancy or rent as a dwelling any structure or part thereof, upon which an order to repair, alter or improve, or to vacate and close, or to demolish, has been issued without said owner or agent receiving the authority to do so by the City after confirmation of the dwelling compliance with the Housing Code. If the dwelling is vacant as a result of prior inspector orders, the owner or agent must first file application for and secure a certificate of housing code compliance from the City. The City shall issue a certificate of housing code compliance when, after examination and inspection, it is found that the structure conforms to the provisions of this chapter. No fee shall be charged for the first inspection following the expiration of an order to repair, alter or improve, or to vacate and close, or to demolish a dwelling in order to ascertain compliance with inspection orders or for one inspection request following the issuance of an order to repair, alter or improve, or one inspection due to a request for inspection in order to obtain a certificate of housing compliance. For each inspection in excess of this, there shall be a charge of $60.00.
  3. The following conditions are necessary for the issuance of a certificate of housing code compliance:
    1. The owner or authorized agent of any dwelling unit vacated after an order to repair or vacate and close has been issued shall apply to the City for a certificate of housing code compliance prior to the dwelling unit being reoccupied.
    2. After the repairs have been completed the property owner or agent shall make application for a certificate of housing code compliance. The City shall cause an inspection to be made of the dwelling unit specified in the application.
    3. If after examination and inspection the dwelling unit is found to conform to the provisions of this Chapter 11, a certificate of housing code compliance shall be issued to the owner of the dwelling unit.
    4. If after examination and inspection the dwelling is not found to conform to the provisions of this Chapter 11, the owner of the dwelling unit shall be provided a list of violations that must be corrected before a certificate of housing code compliance may be issued or the dwelling unit occupied.
    5. The certificate of housing code compliance shall state:
      1. The date of issue.
      2. The address of the dwelling or dwelling unit.
      3. The name of the person to whom it is issued.
      4. The certification that the dwelling or dwelling unit complies with all applicable provisions of this Chapter 11.