Chapter 2 — ENFORCEMENT

201 Authority. The Building Official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all of the provisions of this code. For such purposes, the Building Official shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer.

The Building Official shall have the power to render interpretations of this code 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 code.

202 Right of Entry. When it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, or when the Building Official has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a building or upon a premises a condition which is contrary to or in violation of this code which makes the building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the Building Official may enter the building or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by this code, provided that if such building or premises be occupied that credentials be presented to the occupant and entry requested. If such building or premises be unoccupied, the Building Official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the Building Official shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.

203 Responsibilities Defined. Owners remain liable for violations of duties imposed by this code even though an obligation is also imposed on the occupants of the building, and even though the owner has, by agreement, imposed on the occupant the duty of furnishing required equipment or of complying with this code.

Buildings and structures and parts thereof shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition.

The owner or the owner's designated agent shall be responsible for such maintenance. To determine compliance with this subsection, the building may be reinspected.

Owners, in addition to being responsible for maintaining buildings in a sound structural condition, shall be responsible for keeping that part of the building or premises which the owner occupies or controls in a clean, sanitary and safe condition, including the shared or public areas in a building containing two or more dwelling units.

Owners shall, when required by this code, the health ordinance or the Health Officer, furnish and maintain such approved sanitary facilities as required, and shall furnish and maintain approved devices, equipment or facilities for the prevention of insect and rodent infestation, and when infestation has taken place, shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents or other pests when such extermination is not specifically made the responsibility of the occupant by law or ruling.

Occupants of a dwelling unit, in addition to being responsible for keeping in a clean, sanitary and safe condition that part of the dwelling or dwelling unit or premises which they occupy and control, shall dispose of their rubbish, garbage and other organic waste in a manner required by the health ordinance and approved by the Health officer.

Occupants shall, when required by this code, the health ordinance or the Health Officer, furnish and maintain approved devices, equipment or facilities necessary to keep their premises safe and sanitary.

204 Substandard Buildings. Buildings or portions thereof which are determined to be substandard as defined in this code are hereby declared to be public nuisances and shall be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal in accordance with the procedure specified in Section 114 of the 2013 California Building Code as amended and adopted by the City.

205 Board of Appeals. In order to hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Building Official relative to the application and interpretations of this code, there shall be as created a Board of Appeals as described Section 113 of the 2013 California Building Code as amended and adopted by the City.