§ 82-408. Health certificate required before demolition application issued.

(a)

Whenever an owner applies for a permit to demolish a structure or is ordered by the city to demolish a structure, in accordance with provisions of the city building code, such owner shall obtain from the director of the department of health a certificate stating that such premises are free from rodents. The director or his representative, upon receiving notification of the proposed demolition, shall inspect such premises to determine whether rodent infestation exists. If there is no evidence of infestation, the director shall issue a certificate indicating that the premises are free of rodent infestation and transmit same to the department of safety and permits. If an inspection by the director of the department of health indicates the existence of rodent infestation then the owner shall have the structure and premises treated for rodent extermination by a licensed pest control operator. It shall be the obligation of the owner or his designated pest control operator to notify the director of the department of health or his designated representative of the time that extermination will be carried out. The director shall inspect such premises after treatment and transmit to the department of safety and permits a certificate of approval if the results of said extermination are satisfactory. The department of safety and permits may not issue an application for a permit for demolition until it receives from the director of the department of health such a certificate.

(b)

Any person who shall fail, neglect or refuse to comply with the terms of this article, shall be deemed and held guilty of a violation of this Code and shall pay a penalty of $50.00 for each and every such violation.

(c)

In those cases where actual demolition is begun prior to application for such demolition, the director of safety and permits may accept and approve such application provided that the owner or his agent pays all fees and penalties prescribed by law; and that the department of safety and permits promptly notifies the department of health of the premature demolition which is hereby construed as a violation of this section.

(Code 1956, § 54-23)