A.   Administration:

      1.   Building Officer: A municipal building officer will be designated and approved by a majority vote of the town council. The building officer shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this title.

      2.   Powers Of Building Officer: The building officer shall have the power to render interpretations of this title and to adopt and enforce related rules and regulations, which may supplement the provisions of this title. Interpretations of this title, as well as related municipal rules and regulations, shall conform to the general intent and purpose of this title.

   B.   Inspections: The town animal control officer, building inspector, or other authorized representatives of the building officer, are authorized to make site and building inspections, as well as other actions that may be required to enforce the provisions of this title.

   C.   Right Of Entry:

      1.   The building officer, or his or her authorized representative(s), may enter any building in the town to make an authorized property or building inspection, enforce any of the provisions of this title, or inspect buildings or properties whenever the building officer has reasonable cause to believe there is a condition or ordinance violation which makes such building or property unsafe, dangerous, hazardous, or in derogation of any provision of this title.

      2.   Building or property inspections will be made at reasonable times during daylight hours. When a building on a given property is occupied, the building officer and his or her authorized representatives will first present proper credentials to building occupants and request entry. When existing buildings are unoccupied, the building officer and his or her authorized representatives will first make a reasonable effort to locate and contact the owner, or other person having charge or control of the building or premises, and request entry. If such entry is refused, the building officer and his or her authorized representative shall have recourse to every remedy provided by law to secure entry.

   D.   Other Powers: The building officer is also authorized to perform the following:

      1.   Receive and review all applications for amendments to the language of this title, land use plan amendments, planned unit developments, zone changes, and variances.

      2.   Refer land use permit applications, as well as related staff reports and recommendations, to the planning and zoning commission for its review and submission of recommendations to the town council.

      3.   Refer land use permit applications to other appropriate public and private agencies for comments, adjacent landowners, and the community to gain relevant information to better evaluate relevant project issues and recommendations concerning a given application.

      4.   Receive and review all applications for zone lot designations, and prepare recommendations for review and action by the planning and zoning commission.

      5.   Maintain and update the zoning map.

      6.   Coordinate with other municipal officials in the administration and enforcement of this title.

      7.   Receive and review all building, plumbing, and mechanical permit applications for all new construction, as well as renovations, alterations, and expansions to existing properties and buildings. Approve or disapprove such applications based on their conformance with the provisions of this title and applicable building codes adopted by the town.

      8.   Participate in meetings or public hearings related to land use permits and building permits being considered by the planning and zoning commission and the town council.

      9.   Upon reasonable cause, revoke any land use or building permit, issue cease and desist orders, or take any other lawful action to ensure substantial compliance with the provisions of this title.

      10.   Prepare and propose desirable changes to this title or other related town ordinances which may be necessary to improve the management of land use development within the community. All such changes shall be subject to the amendment procedures outlined in this title.

      11.   Maintain a community land use database and complete any land use studies, which may be necessary to monitor future compliance and effectiveness of this title.

      12.   Maintain records and files for all land use and building permit applications.

      13.   Issue notices and/or citations for violations of this title.

   E.   Indemnification: The town shall hold harmless the town building officer, as well as his or her authorized representative, when acting in good faith and without malice, from all personal liability for any damage which may accrue to any person or property as a result of any act or omission associated with the administration and enforcement of this title. The town attorney, through final determinations of such proceedings, shall defend any suit brought against the town, the building officer, and/or his or her authorized representative. (Ord. 2001-05, 6-11-2001)

After inspection by the building officer and/or his or her authorized representative(s), all buildings or property determined to be unsafe, dangerous, hazardous, or in derogation of any of the provisions of this title shall be repaired, rehabilitated, vacated, demolished, or removed in accordance with the procedure specified in chapter 10 of this title 1 . (Ord. 2001-05, 6-11-2001)

It shall be unlawful for any person, private firm or corporation, or public agency to construct, alter, expand, renovate, or demolish any building or structure in violation of this title. (Ord. 2001-05, 6-11-2001)

All buildings or structural improvements, which are authorized via the review and approval processes of this title, are subject to inspection by the building officer, or his of her authorized representative, in accordance with this title and most recent building construction codes that have been adopted by the town 1 . (Ord. 2001-05, 6-11-2001)

Any landowner, resident, private company, corporation, or public agency shall be allowed to file a complaint of any violation of this title at the office of the town clerk-treasurer for the building officer's review.

   A.   Forms: The forms for such complaint will be made available to the general public at the town clerk-treasurer's office.

   B.   Response To Complaint: When a complaint is received, the town clerk-treasurer shall send a copy of the complaint, via certified mail, to the landowner or person who owns and/or occupies the subject property within ten (10) days of receipt of the complaint. The landowner or person who owns or occupies the subject property, shall have thirty (30) days to submit a written response to the complaint.

   C.   Investigation: After receipt of the response, the building officer, or his or her authorized representative, shall investigate the complaint and determine the appropriate action.

   D.   Appeal: Should the building officer, or his or her authorized representative, issue any notice concerning correction for violation of this title, the landowner or person who receives any notice of violation shall have the right to appeal as set forth in chapter 8 of this title. (Ord. 2001-05, 6-11-2001)