A. The administration of this chapter shall be the responsibility of the building official designated by the city manager. Such building official shall work in close cooperation with the fire chief, county health department and other officials and agencies. He may seek their written opinions concerning the conditions of dwellings or other buildings. The building official and his assistants shall be free from personal liability for acts done in good faith in the performance of official duties. The building official or any one of his assistants shall not have a financial interest in the furnishing of labor, material or appliances for the construction, alteration or maintenance of a building in relation to this chapter, except where he is the owner, and shall not act as the agent for real estate sales, leases or rentals.

B. Powers and Duties.

1. The building official is authorized to conduct surveys and make inspections in any area of the community to determine compliance with this chapter or other ordinance which he is empowered to enforce.

2. The building official shall investigate all complaints whether they be verbal, written or in the form of a petition alleging or charging that a violation of this code exists or that a building or dwelling is unfit or unsafe for human habitation or other occupancy.

3. For the purpose of making such surveys, inspections and investigations, the building official is authorized, upon identification and statement of purpose and with the consent of the occupant, to enter, inspect, survey and investigate between the hours of eight a.m. and five p.m., or at any time if an emergency exists or if requested by the owner or occupant, all buildings, dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units and general premises. The owner or occupant of every building, dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit and general premises, or the person in charge thereof, may upon appointment, give the building official free access to such building, dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit or general premises for the purpose of such inspection, survey or investigation. Should the building official be refused entry under any of the provisions hereof, he shall obtain a search warrant therefor under applicable Kansas Statutes.

C. Records and Reports. The building official shall keep records of all complaints received, inspection reports, orders and complaints issued, hearings held and other actions taken. The records shall be available for public inspection. He shall prepare an annual report including statistics based on the records kept. (Prior code § 5-1217)