48-4. Duties and Powers of the Code Official

  1. General. The Code official responsible for enforcement of this Code and/or their designees shall enforce the provisions of this Code.
  2. Interpretation of Code. The Code official shall have authority as necessary in the interest of public health, safety and general welfare, to interpret and implement the provisions of this Code; to secure the intent thereof; and to designate requirements applicable because of local climatic or other conditions. Such rules shall not have the effect of waiving structural or fire performance requirements specifically provided for in this Code, the North Carolina Building Code, or of violating accepted engineering methods involving public safety.
  3. Inspections. The Code official shall make all of the required inspections, or shall accept reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. All reports of such inspections shall be in writing and be certified by a responsible officer of such approved agency or by the responsible individual. The Code official is authorized to engage such expert opinion as deemed necessary to report upon unusual technical issues that arise, subject to the approval of the appointing authority.
  4. Right of entry. The Code official is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect subject to constitutional restrictions on unreasonable searches and seizures. If entry is refused or not obtained, the Code official is authorized to pursue recourse as provided by law including an administrative warrant.
  5. Identification. The Code official shall carry proper identification when inspecting structures or premises in the performance of duties under this code.
  6. Notices and orders. The Code official shall issue all necessary notices or orders to ensure compliance with this Code.
  7. Department records. The Code official shall keep official records of all business and activities of the department specified in the provisions of this Code. Such records shall be maintained in accordance with State regulations regarding the retention of records.
  8.             Coordination of inspections. Whenever in the enforce­ment of this Code or another Code or Ordinance, the responsibil­ity of more than one Code official of the jurisdiction is involved, it shall be the duty of the Code officials involved to coordinate their inspections and administrative orders as fully as practica­ble so that the owners and occupants of the structure shall not be subjected to visits by numerous inspectors or multiple or con­flicting orders.     Whenever a Code official from any agency or de­partment observes an apparent or actual violation of some provision of some law, Ordinance or Code not within the Code official’s   authority to enforce, the Code official shall report the findings to the Code official having jurisdiction.

  9. Referrals.  The Code official may make referrals to community agencies and other available services as appropriate.