§ 20-44. Inspection; duty of owners and occupants.

(a)

The Public Officer is hereby authorized to enter, examine, and survey at all reasonable times and in a reasonable manner all dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units and the premises associated therewith to determine if there exist upon such premises conditions which do not meet the standards contained in this Ordinance, as follows:

(1)

Whenever it appears to the Public Officer (on his own motion) that any dwelling or dwelling unit does not meet the minimum standards contained in this Ordinance;

(2)

Whenever a petition is filed with or complaint is received by the Public Officer charging that any dwelling or dwelling unit contains conditions that do not meet minimum standards contained in this Ordinance. The following may act by petition: (i) a public authority; (ii) at least five residents of the County regarding any renter-occupied dwelling. The following may act by petition or complaint provided that the person making the complaint identifies himself or herself to the Public Officer: any one occupant of a dwelling unit which is renter-occupied regarding that dwelling unit.

(b)

The owner and occupant of every dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house and rooming unit, or the person in charge thereof, shall give the Public Officer free access to such dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit and its premises at all reasonable times and in a reasonable manner for the purposes of such inspection, examination and survey consent of the occupant in actual possession or in control of the premises shall be sufficient permission to the Public Officer to enter upon the premises. Whenever the Public Officer is denied permission to enter upon and inspect the premises, by the occupant, the Public Officer may obtain a warrant authorizing him to conduct such inspection of the premises as authorized by North Carolina General Statutes § 15-27.2.

(c)

Every occupant or person in possession of a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit shall give the owner thereof, or his agent or employee, access to any part of such dwelling or dwelling unit and its premises at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner for the purpose of making such repairs and alterations as are necessary to effect compliance with the standards contained in this Ordinance or with any lawful order issued pursuant to the provisions of this Ordinance.

(Ord. of 2-21-1984, art. 14, eff. 7-1-1984)