ORD-2021-015-Amendment to the Code of Ordinances – Minimum Housing Standards Ordinance

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window glazing , or screen is damaged or broken by the willful act or neglect of the occupant , then it shall be the responsibility of the occupant to bear the cost of repairing or replacing the same . (f) The owner of any dwelling or dwelling unit shall be responsible for providing a dwelling or dwelling unit free of insects , rodents , or other pests at the time of original letting to any occupant . Thereafter, every occupant ofr a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects , rodents or other pests therein or on the premises ; and every occupant of a dwelling unit in a dwelling containing more than one dwelling unit shall be responsible for such extermination whenever the unit is the only one infested . Whenever infestation is caused by failure of the owner to maintain a dwelling in rodent-proof or reasonable insect- proof condition as required by Section 20 -40 , extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. Whenever infestation exists in two or more of the dwelling units in any dwelling or in the shared or public parts of any dwelling containing two or more dwelling units , extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. (Ord . of 2 -214 984 , art . 12 , eff. 744984) Sec . 2043 . - Powers and duties of the public officer . The County Manager shall designate a Public Officer to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance and to exercise the duties and powers herein prescribed . The Public Officer is authorized to exercise such powers as may be necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this Ordinance , including the following powers in addition to others herein granted : (a) To investigate the dwelling conditions and to inspect dwellings and dwelling units located in the County , in order to determine which dwellings and dwelling units do not meet the minimum standards contained in this Ordinance . ( b) To administer oaths and affirmations , examine witnesses and receive evidence . ( c) To enter upon premises for the purpose of making examinations and inspections ; provided , such entries shall be made in accordance with Section 2044 of this Ordinance and State law , and shall be made in such manner as to cause the least possible inconvenience to the persons in possession . (d ) To appoint and fix the duties of officers , agents and employees , as the Public Officer deems necessary to assist in carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance , and to delegate any of the Public Officer' s functions and powers to such officers , agents and employees , subject to the general supervision of the County Manager . (e) To perform such other duties as may be prescribed herein or by the Board of County Commissioners of OFa or County Manager . (Ord . of 2 -214 9 84 , art . 13 , eff. 74 4 9 84) Sec . 2044 . - Inspections duty of owners and occupants . ( a) The Public Officer is hereby authorized to enter, examine , and survey at all FeasGRable times And in a reasonable manner all dwellings , dwelling units , rooming houses , rooming units and the premises associated therewith to determine if there exist upon such premises conditions which do not meet the standards contained in this Ordinance , as follows : ( 1 ) Whenever it appears to the Public Officer (on bey- �their own motion ) there is reasonable cause to believe that unsafe , unsanitary , or otherwise hazardous or unlawful conditions may exist upon such premises ; . Reasonable cause is established where : ( i ) the landlord or owner has a history of more than two verified violations of this Ordinance within a 12 - month period (for purposes of this subsection , a violation shall be deemed verified