The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-06
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
ORDINANCE PRESENTED THE
COUNCIL TO CREATE ONE.
He IL Required to Examine all Structures
Standing. and With Him Rests The Au-
thority to Grant Permits for Erection
Remuneration:

Standing. and With Him Rests The Au-
thority to Grant Permits for Erection
Remuneration:
At the Council meeting Monday night an
ordinance was presented establishing the
Office Of Inspector Of Buildings and pre-
scribing his duties.' 1t was laid on the
table and ordered to be printed. The ordi-
nance is as follows:
"That Immediately after the approval OF
this ordinance, and biennally in July when
other city officials are elected by the Coun-
ell. that body shall elect an Inspector OF
Buildings. He shall be a competent archl-
tect and builder, and IL shall be his
duty TO issue permits for the cree
ton OF buildings In accordance with
the ordinances OF the cityj to keep
a record of the same, and report monthly TO
the Council all permits granted and all
houses in process OF construction or con-
structed. lie shall examine all houses In
process of construction, and see that the same
are built in accordance with the ordinances
OF this city and with due regard to
safety and proper protection from hre.
He shall also have power TO enter and IN
spect any building or dwelling unfinished,
and examine the walls, floors, chimneys,
shall deem the same 10 be unsafe or dan
perous from fire or otherwise, TO notify
the owner. The said owner, being thus
notified. shall make the same safe or secure
within the time that may be allowed him,
under the penalty Of not less than $40 or
more than $50 a day for each day he shall
refuse or neglect TO do the same.
APPLICATION TO BUILD.
ANY person desiring or proposing TO erect
any bnilding within the city limits shall
first make application TO the Inspector OF
Buildings, stating the location and character
of the building proposed 10 be erected. No
building shall be erected without written
permit from the Inspector Of Buildings. III
any one shall build without having OBJ
tanned permit he shall be fined not less
than $40 nor more than$lOO.
"Al buildings which may hereafter be
erected Of brick, stone or iron shall be d.
yided or separated by brick or stone par
tition walls, running from the front OF such
building at least nine inches in thickness
and extending from the foundation 10 the
roof.
ION all suchIbuildings the exterior cornlce
and gutter shall be Of some fire-proof ma
terial, and all exterior wooden cornlces or
cutters now on such building shall, when
ever they may be replaced, be replaced by
cOrnices'and cutters of some fre-proof ma
terial.
sCUTTLE IN THE ROOF.
"Every dwelling.house or building here
after TO be erected more than one story In
height shall have a scuttle through the roof,
and a convenient or suitable stairway or
ladder TO same.
"When any building is to be erected, as
hotel. house of worship, hall OF eXhi-
bition, or for any public assemblages, the
application TO the Inspector of Buildings
for permit shall be accompanied by a
plan and description Of the building pro-
posed to be erected. Before the Inspector
of Buildings shall grant permit for said
building he shall satisfy himself that ample
facilities of escape are provided in case of
panic or sudden alarm Of danger.
son any square already partially occu-
the majority lof such buildings shall be
adapted as to the front line of any
new building to be erected thereon,
except when the existing line shall appear
to the Inspector of Buildings to be map
prOpriate; in which case, and in all other
cases, the Inspector Of Buildings shall es-
tabish such line as the City Engineer shall
direct; but in no case shall any part Of the
sidewalk or street be occupied
either by building or fence. In cases
in which parties may think themselves
aggrieved by the decisions of the Inspector
Of Buildings they may appeal therefrOm
10 the Committee on Grounds and Build
ings, and such appeal shall be considered,
and the orders or decision Of the Inspector
Of Buildings suspended without penalty to
the parties until the Committee on Grounds
and Buildings shall have considered and
acted on such appeal.
HIS COMPENSATION.
''For all services rendered by the Inspector
of Buildings his sole compensation shall he
as follows: On each public building as men
toned in section seven. (reierring TO hotels,
places OF amusement, etc., there shall be
paid him in advance by the builder fee
equal to One-hali of one per centum on the
assessed value of the LOT on which it is TO be
erected, as may appear upon the books
Of the Commissioner OF 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 eX-
coed 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 turnei
over by him to the City Treasurer"