Norridge — Ch. 22 Art. XII Rental Property Licensing Code § 22-608

A. Initial or renewal inspections required . At the time of the receipt of a duly completed initial application or renewal application and the required verification, and the application fee having been paid, the building official (building commissioner) and the applicant, shall schedule an inspection of the residential rental dwelling unit. Nothing shall be construed to prevent the building official (building commissioner) from seeking an inspection of any residential rental dwelling unit where the license has expired and a renewal license has not been issued or when the building official (building commissioner) has a reasonable belief that a violation of the property maintenance code or other applicable building or zoning codes have been violated.
B. Periodic inspections required . All rental property subject to this article shall be subject to a periodic inspection by the village as set forth herein and to the extent determined by the building official (building commissioner). The building official (building commissioner) shall make inspections to which the licensee or applicant shall consent, to determine the health, safety and property maintenance conditions of all residential rental dwelling units. For the purpose of making such inspections the building official (building commissioner) shall give advance notice of such inspections to the owner and if an agent, to both to enter, examine and inspect at a reasonable time the specified residential rental dwelling unit.
C. Manner of inspections . The building official (building commissioner) shall conduct inspections of residential rental dwelling units in the village as follows:
1. At the time of first license application and as part of the renewal application process.
2. An inspection of a residential rental dwelling unit shall be performed at least once every three years provided that the number of violations found on the premises equal three or less.
3. If the number of violations found on the premises for the previous 12-month period equal four or more, the premises shall be inspected within the next 12 month period.
D. Inspection of common areas . The building official (building commissioner) shall conduct inspections of common areas of multiple dwelling premises that are other than single family dwellings in conjunction with the inspection of a residential rental dwelling unit that is part of a larger multiple dwelling premises, for instance, a multiunit rental apartment building, condominium or townhouse association. The inspection of the common areas shall include, but is not limited to, all hallways, stairways, lobbies, utility rooms, laundry rooms, storage rooms, recreation rooms, grounds, refuse areas, parking areas, building extensions, signs and other areas designed for common use by dwelling unit occupants. Such inspections are for the purpose of enforcing this article and any other sections of the Village Code applicable or pertaining thereto.
E. Accompanied by owner or agent . The building official (building commissioner) shall conduct inspections of residential rental dwelling units in the company of the owner, or agent. Notice of the time and date of impending inspections shall be given to the tenant(s) by the owner or the agent.
F. Additional authorization . The building official (building commissioner) shall be authorized to inspect any rented or unrented residential rental dwelling unit for the purpose of enforcing this article, notwithstanding subsection C of this section, under the following circumstances:
1. In an emergency which represents an immediate threat to persons or property.
2. Pursuant to a search warrant issued by a court.
G. Inspection not a guarantee . A village safety inspection does not represent, ensure, warrant, or guarantee to any owner, purchaser, lessor, agent, attorney, lender, title, or property insurer or to any of their respective heirs, successors, or assigns, the condition of all of the code violations existing at the property at the time of the safety inspection.
H. No effect from failure to list . The village's failure to list a code violation on an inspection report is not a warranty or guarantee that the violation does not or did not exist on the property.
I. Rule making authority . The building official (building commissioner) shall have power as reasonably necessary in the interest of public health, safety and general welfare to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations interpreting and implementing the provisions of this article and to achieve the intent thereof. Such rules shall be consistent with the standards, procedures, and requirements established by Village Codes including but not limited to the property maintenance code, and shall not have the effect of waiving structural or fire performance requirements or violating accepted engineering practice involving public safety.