(a)   There is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the construction, alteration, removal, demolition, equipment, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of buildings and structures, the International Building Code, 2015 Edition, as recommended by the International Conference of Building Officials, such code being made as a part of the ordinances and code of the city as if the same had been set out in full herein, all as authorized and in the manner prescribed by K.S.A. 12-3009 through 12-3012 including any amendments thereto. One copy of the International Building Code, 2015 Edition, shall be marked or stamped “Official Copy as Incorporated by the Code of the City of Oberlin”, and shall be filed with the City Clerk to be open to inspection and available to the public at all reasonable hours of business.

(b)   Any person violating any provision of such code shall be punished as provided in section 1-116 of this code of ordinances.

For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

(a)   Building Official. The Building Inspector, City Foreman, or Code Enforcement Officer of the City of Oberlin.

(b)   Corporation Counsel. The Attorney for the City of Oberlin.

(c)   Municipality. The City of Oberlin.

(Prior Code § 4-203; Ord. 458)

There is hereby created the office of Building Inspector of the city who shall be appointed by the Mayor and with the consent of the City Council.

(Prior Code § 4-204; Ord. 458)

Any person, firm or corporation desiring to build, rebuild, repair or otherwise alter or move, remove or relocate any building within the city shall first secure a building permit therefor from the city by making written application to the building inspector for the permit, and shall furnish the building inspector in such application with such information as may be requested by the inspector and as may be required by the ordinances of the city. Application for such permit shall be made and permit obtained before work is commenced upon the foundation for any such proposed building, and such application shall state the exact site to be occupied, the material dimensions and estimated cost of the proposed building, structure or portion built or rebuilt, or moved upon any such lot. Plans and specifications of the proposed erection, alteration or addition shall be submitted for inspection and approval before the permit is issued; provided that, the applicant for the permit shall pay the sum of $25 to the building inspector as compensation for their services. The Building Inspector shall study all plans, specifications and applications, and gram those which show that they comply fully with the Building Code and the zoning ordinances. The permit, if granted, shall be valid for 180 days from date of issue. In all cases where the Building Inspector is of the opinion that the application should be denied, or he is in doubt for any reason, they shall submit the application to the City Council for consideration together with their conclusions and recommendations and the City Council will decide whether a permit is to be issued or denied. The Building Inspector also shall inspect or cause to be inspected all violations of the ordinances of the city reported to them with regard to the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair or use of buildings or premises in the city, and to take all proper and necessary steps to abate and punish the violators.

(Prior Code § 4-205; Ord. 560)

Whenever it is claimed that the provisions of the code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted by the Building Inspector, the applicant may appeal to the City Council within 30 days from the date of the decision appealed.

(Prior Code § 4-206; Ord. 458)

This article shall not be construed to relieve from any liability or lessen the liability of any person, firm or corporation performing any activity connected herewith, nor shall the city be held as assuming any such liability by reason of any inspection authorized herein, or by reason of any certificate of inspection issued by it.

(Prior Code § 4-207; Ord. 458)

The Building Inspector, in the discharge of their official duties, and upon proper identification shall have authority to enter any building, structure or premises at any reasonable hour to perform their duties as set out herein.

(Prior Code § 4-208; Ord. 458)