The Fire Marshal may establish a program for the periodic inspection of all occupancies of commercial buildings for compliance with the fire regulations. The Fire Marshal may adopt a policy regarding the frequency, priority, and type of inspection of occupancies in commercial buildings subject to the availability of budgeted funds and staff. The Fire Marshal or the Fire Marshal’s designees may, at all reasonable hours, enter into all buildings and upon all premises, except private residences, to conduct an inspection to determine if fire hazards exist.

The Fire Marshal may establish minimum qualifications of individuals performing inspections. Individuals may be members of the Fire Prevention Division, members of other divisions within the Fire Bureau, members of other public agencies operating under an interagency agreement, or employees or individuals working under contract with the City.

1. A.  Prior to a periodic inspection, each owner/occupant will be sent a letter by first class mail giving notice of the inspection and listing commonly found violations of fire regulations. Failure to correct the common violations listed in the letter may result in an additional fee for each class of violation.
2. B.  When a periodic inspection reveals a violation of fire regulations, the Fire Marshal will so notify the owner/occupant and the owner/occupant will be responsible for immediately abating the violation. Failure to abate the violation as prescribed by the Fire Marshal may result in additional penalties as set forth in a fee schedule adopted by the Council.

Where entry for the purpose of periodic inspection or investigation has been sought and refused, or an inspection or investigation may, in the opinion of the Fire Marshal, be jeopardized without an inspection warrant, the Fire Marshal may seek and execute such warrant as allowed under the provision of ORS 476.155 through 476.170.

1. A.  The building owner/occupant must pay an inspection fee for all periodic inspections as well as inspections requested by the owner/occupant. The building owner will be billed in situations where the occupant shows the Fire Marshal a lease agreement or some other legal arrangement with the building owner that places the responsibility for fire inspection and the payment of fees on the building owner.
   1. 1.   Exception: Inspections of primary and secondary schools and nonprofit hospitals buildings with an Oregon State Structural Code occupancy designation of I - 2 (Hospitals) are exempt from all fees except illegal occupancy, violation and re-inspection fees.
2. B.  Fees for periodic inspections, re-inspections, violations and penalties will be set forth in a fee schedule adopted by the Council. All fees must be paid to the City Treasurer within 30 days of the invoice date and will be considered delinquent after that date. A penalty will be assessed if a person fails to pay the fee when due.