§ 28-274. Inspections.

(a)

Appointment and authority of inspection staff. The board of county commissioners shall appoint staff, who shall be charged and provided with the authority to administer this article and to enforce the regulations and procedures contained herein. Hernando County inspectors, in the performance of their duties and functions, may enter upon any land and make examination and surveys that do not occasion damage or injury to private property.

(b)

Cause for issuance of administrative warrant. In the event a person with authority at a facility does not permit an inspection, such refusal shall be sufficient grounds and probable cause for a court of competent jurisdiction to issue an administrative warrant for the purpose of inspecting, surveying or examining said premises.

(c)

Authority to enter vacant or abandoned premises. In the event a building, structure or land appears to be vacant or abandoned and the property owner cannot be readily contacted to obtain consent for an inspection, the county-designated inspector may enter into or upon any of the unsecured portion of the premises in order to conduct an inspection thereof.

(d)

Identification. County-designated inspectors shall be provided with official identification and shall exhibit such identification when making any inspection.

(e)

Law enforcement officers to assist. It shall be the duty of all law enforcement officers to assist in making any inspections when such assistance is requested by the designated county inspectors.

(Ord. No. 94-8, § 14, 6-27-94)