Fairfield Municipal Code Art. II Enforcement of Chapter

The Chief of Police shall be the department head with the principal responsibility for enforcing this chapter. Any provision of this chapter which refers to Chief of Police shall be interpreted to include a reference to a designee of the Chief of Police.

(a) Whenever necessary to make an inspection of any premises to enforce the provisions of this code, the department head shall contact the occupant of such premises and inform him of the reasons for such entry onto such property, and if the occupant is other than the owner, he shall if practical, contact such owner. If a owner who does not occupy the property is unable to be contacted, he shall be notified of the inspection after the inspection occurs.

(b) Prior to making an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, the department head shall obtain a warrant to inspect the premises when a warrant is required by state or federal law.

(a) Every owner of real property within the city, whether commercial, industrial or residential, is required to maintain the property in a manner so as not to violate the provisions of this code. The owner remains liable for violations regardless of any contract or agreement with any third party regarding the property. The owner of substandard residential property may be responsible for relocation assistance and other benefits to tenants, under section 27.1201 and following.

(b) Every occupant, lessee, or holder of any interest in property other than as owner thereof is required to maintain such property in a manner consistent with the standards described in § 27.401. California Civil Code § 1941 requires the lessor of a building intended for human occupancy to maintain the building in a condition which is fit for such occupation and to repair all dilapidation which render it untenantable. This Section 27.203 shall be interpreted in a manner which is consistent with Civil Code § 1941.

(c) An occupant of property who is not the owner shall not be liable for any nuisance (as defined by § 27.401) which the occupant did not create.

(Ord. No. 97-17, § 1)

In order to hear cases brought by the Chief of Police under the provisions of this code, the city manager shall appoint one or more hearing examiners who shall serve at his pleasure. A hearing examiner may be a city employee.