§ 10-3. Building official.

(a)

The office of the building official is hereby created, and the executive official in charge shall be known as the building official and fire official.

(b)

The building official shall be appointed by the board of supervisors. His appointment shall continue during good behavior and satisfactory service. He shall not be removed from office except for cause after full opportunity has been given him to be heard on specific charges.

(c)

During temporary absence or disability of the building official, the appointing authority shall designate an acting building official.

(d)

To be eligible for appointment, the candidate for the position of building official shall have had experience as an architect, structural engineer, building inspector or suitable qualifying experience. He shall be in good health, physically capable of making the necessary examinations and inspections based on a physical examination by the county health department or a qualified physician. He shall not have any interest whatever, directly or indirectly, in the sale or manufacture of any material, process or device entering into or used in or in connection with building construction, alterations, removal or demolition.

(e)

The building official shall devote his full time to the duties of the office. He shall receive applications required by the building code, issue permits and furnish the prescribed certificates. He shall examine premises for which permits have been issued and shall make necessary inspections to see that the provisions of the building code are complied with and that construction is prosecuted safely. He shall enforce all provisions of the building code. He shall, when requested by proper authority or when the public interest so requires, make investigations in connection with matters referred to in the building code and render written reports on the investigations. To enforce compliance with law, to remove illegal or unsafe conditions, to secure the necessary safeguards during construction or to require adequate exit facilities in buildings and structures, he shall issue such notices or orders as may be necessary.

(f)

Inspections required under the provisions of the building code shall be made by the building official or his duly appointed assistants. The building official may accept reports of inspectors of recognized inspection services after investigation and certification of their qualifications and reliability. No certificate called for by any provision of the building code shall be issued on such reports unless the reports are in writing and certified to by a responsible officer of such service.

(g)

The building official shall keep comprehensive records of applications, permits issued, certificates issued, inspections made, reports rendered and notices or orders issued. He shall retain on file copies of required plans and all documents relating to building work in accordance with the records retention and disposition schedule of the state library as provided for in Code of Virginia, § 42.1-82.

(h)

All such records shall be open to public inspection for good and sufficient reasons at the stated office hours, but shall not be removed from the office of the building official without his written consent.

(i)

The building official shall make written reports to the county administrator, once each month or more often if requested, including statements of permits and certificates issued or orders issued.

(j)

The building official may request and shall receive, so far as may be necessary, in the discharge of his duties, the assistance and cooperation of other officials of the county.

(Ord. No. O-03-001, § 4-3, 8-13-2003)

Cross reference— Officers and employees, § 2-261 et seq.

(Ord. No. O-03-001, § 4-3, 8-13-2003)

Cross reference

Officers and employees, § 2-261 et seq.