V.I. Code tit. 29, § 297 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 29 - Public Planning and Development|Chapter 5 - Building Code|Subchapter III - Inspections|§ 297. Inspection by Commissioner; correction of violations

 (a) The Commissioner or his authorized representatives may for the purpose of performing their official duties under this chapter enter and inspect any building or structure or any part thereof, including plumbing and wiring for light or power, any enclosure, or any premises at all reasonable hours; but no forcible entry shall be attempted or made without due process of law. (b) All violations of this chapter or of any rules and regulations referred to in section 312 of this title shall be remedied by the owner or his agent before a Use and Occupancy Certificate is issued. (c) The Commissioner shall make, when deemed necessary by him, an inspection of materials at the point of manufacture or fabrication. If deemed convenient and necessary by him, he may require tests of the quality of the materials. (d) The Commissioner, or inspectors appointed by him, shall have free access to any construction undertaken in the Virgin Islands. Upon notice that work is being done in an illegal or faulty manner, or contrary to the terms of the application, or of the permit issued, the Commissioner shall order the immediate stoppage of the corresponding part of the construction until the illegal or faulty condition is corrected. (e) Upon the start of construction for which a permit has been issued, the owner or his authorized agent is obliged to so notify the Commissioner so that the Commissioner may schedule the inspections that may be deemed necessary for the effective enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. In addition, the owner or his authorized agent shall notify the Commissioner when various parts of the work are ready for inspection. (f) Any building or other structure or part thereof deemed by the Commissioner to be in a dangerous or unsafe condition from any cause whatsoever, including partial destruction by fire or natural disaster, shall be made safe and secure or shall be vacated and closed or shall be taken down by the owner or his agent as the Commissioner may direct on service of a written notice by the Commissioner as set forth in such notice and within the period named therein. Such order shall not be arbitrary and shall state the specific danger involved. If considered necessary in order to protect life and property, the Commissioner may require that any building be vacated at once and temporarily close the sidewalks and streets adjacent thereto. (g) Whoever, having been ordered by the Commissioner or, upon the Commissioner's instructions, by a police officer, under the authority of this title, to vacate a building, refuses to do so, shall be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. (h) Paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section shall not be construed as relieving the owner of the property referred to in such paragraphs, or his agent, from liability because of accident or loss occurring after service by the Commissioner of the notice referred to in paragraph (f). (i) If the owner of a building or other structure shall fail to comply within the stated time with a written notice issued by the Commissioner pursuant to subsection (f) directing that the building or structure shall be taken down, the Commissioner may cause the building or other structure to be demolished and removed by the Government of the Virgin Islands. In such event, the Commissioner shall by certified mail, return receipt requested, demand that the owner pay within sixty days the reasonable costs of demolition and removal. If the costs assessed by the Commissioner are not paid within the sixty-day period, the amount due shall be a lien in favor of the Government of the Virgin Islands upon the real property on which the building or other structure was located, and the amount due may be collected by seizure and sale of the property. (j) The Commissioner shall maintain accurate records of inspections made, of notices issued, and of actions taken by builders and owners pursuant to notices resulting from inspections. A separate record shall be maintained of all demolitions classified by former use and occupancy.