The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-26
TuE orF1cE OF INSPECTOR OF BU1LD1sos.

| THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
Both branches OF the City Council have
now had under consideration the ordinance
| to establish the office Of Inspector Of Build
fnps and regulate the method OF the con-
struction OF buildings in this city, and have
disposed OF the subject by laying the ordi-
nance on the table. The ordinance pro-
yides that the inspector shall be compe-
tent architect or builder, and shall give
bond in the penalty OF $1,000. 1t shall be
his duty to issue permits for the erection OF
buildings in accordance with the ordinances
of the city; to keep record OF the same,
and report monthly to the Council all per-
mits granted and all houses in process OF
construction OF constructed. he shall
examine all houses In process OF con-
struction, and see that the same are
built in accordance with the ordinances
OF the city, and with due regard to
safety and proper protection against lire.
lie shall also have power TO enter ana IN
spect any building or dwelling, finished or
unfinished. and examine the walls, floors,
chimneys, and construction OF the same;
and il he shall deem the same to be unsafe
or dangerous from fire or otherwise, to notify
the owner. who shall make the same safe or
secure within the time that may be allowed
HIM, under penalty OF not less than ten
nor more than fifty dollars day for each
dav he shall refuse or neglect to do the
same.
Any person proposing to erect any build
ing shall first make application to the In
spector, stating the location and character
of the building proposed to be erected.
No building shall be erected without a
written permit from the Inspector, which
shall be given by him only under condl-
tions and restrictions, and shall be subject
to recall bs the Inspector, or by the Coun-
Gil, in case such conditions and restrictions
be disregarded. If any person shall here
after build, without having first obtained
such permit, he shall be tined not less than
twenty nor more than one hundred dol
| lars.
Buildings to be erected Of brick. stone,
or iron, which are divided into one or more
stores, tenelnents, or dwellings; or build
ings of brick, stone, or iron built adjoining
other buildings, shall be divided or sepa-
rated by brick or stone partition-wals rum
ming from the front of such buildings ut
least nine inches in thickness. and extending
from the foundation to at least twelve inches
above the roof The ends of all ioists rest
ing in or upon any wall or partition shall be
at least four inches apart in each direction,
and any space or spaces intervening be-
tween the ends Of such ioists shall be filled
with brick and mortar.
The exterior cornice and gutter shall be
OF some tre-proof material; and all eXte-
rior wooden cornices or cutters now on
such buildings shall, whenever they may
be replaced, be replaced by cornices and
cutters OF some fire-proof material.
Every building more than one story
| in height shall have a scuttle through
the roof, and convenient or suitable stair
way or ladder leading to the same.
When any building is to be erected to be
used as q hotel, house OF worship, hall OF
exhibition, or for any public assemblages,
the application to the Inspector OF Build
| ipps for Il permit to erect the same shall be
accompanied by plan and description OF
the building proposed to be erected. Be-
fore the Inspector OF Buildings shall grant
permit for such building he shall satisfy
himself that ample facilities of escape are
provided in case OF panic or sudden alarm
of fdangcr; that stairways, galleries, and hoors
are designed OF proper support and sufficient
strength; that proper ventilation is secured,
and that the arrangements for heating will
be consistent with due regard to safety. Ii
the plans submitted to him do not, in his
opinion, make necessary provisions Tor
these purposes, he shall not grant permit
for the erection Of such building until the
plans arc changed or modified to meet their
requirements. 4 permit for such building
having been granted, it shall be the duty OF
the Inspector to see that it is constructed in
accordance with the plans approved, and
that no change or variation therefrom IS
made without his approval.
In cases in which parties may think them
selves aggrieved by the decisions OF the In
spector of Buildings, they may appeal there
from to the Council; and such appeal shall
be considered, and the orders or decision
of the Inspector of Buildings suspended
without penalty to the PARTIES until the
Council shall have considered and acted on
such appeal.
For all services rendered by the Inspector
of Buildings his sole compensation shall be
as follows: On each public building, as
mentioned in section 7, there shall be paid
him in advance, by the builder, fee equal
TO one half OF one per centum on the assess
ed value OF the lot on which it is to be
erected, as may appear upon the books OF
the Commissioner of the Revenue, and on
every other building a fee equal to one
fourth Of one per centum on the assessed
value of the lot Provided, That in no case
shall the fee of the Inspector exceed fifty
dollars: And provided further, That his
total compensation in any one year shall not
exceed the sum of two thousand dollars,
and that any sum received by him in excess
of that amount shall be turned over by him
| to the City Treasurer.