Right of entry.

Columbus City Codes § 1145.60

in effect

1145.60 - Right of entry. The Director, or authorized representatives shall have the right to enter the premises of any person to ascertain whether the intent of this chapter is being met, and if all requirements of the chapter are satisfied. The person's representative (contact person) or occupants of premises where wastewater or stormwater is generated or discharged shall allow the Director, or authorized representative, ready access, upon presentation of credentials at reasonable times, to all parts of said premises where wastewater or stormwater is generated, chemicals are stored, stormwater comes into contact with portions of the facility where chemicals are stored, or handled, monitoring equipment is located, production or treatment processes are located, or where records are stored or created and maintained; for the purpose of inspecting the premises, sampling of wastewater and examination of records required to be kept by this chapter, and for the performance of any other of their duties. (A) Where a person has security measures in force which require proper identification and clearance before any entry into its premises, the person shall make necessary arrangements with its security guards so that, upon presentation of suitable identification, the Director shall be permitted to enter without delay for the purposes of performing specific responsibilities. (B) If the person does not provide voluntary access within a reasonable time as required by this section, the Director may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for an appropriate warrant or other authority to enter the property, and the person shall bear the costs of the court action. (C) Failure of any person to provide voluntary access, as required by this section, shall be a violation of this chapter and of the person's industrial wastewater discharge permit and any other permits issued pursuant to this chapter. (D) Unreasonable delays in allowing the Director access to the person's premises shall be a violation of this chapter. Unreasonable delays are defined as denying access for a period in excess of fifteen (15) minutes. Emergency entry shall be granted to the Director or authorized representatives when the city has reason to believe that a suspected violation of any condition of this Chapter, 40 CFR Part 403, Ohio EPA regulations, or a wastewater discharge permit may result in an imminent threat to workers, the public, the POTW and ancillary facilities, or the environment. (Ord. No. 1327-2012, § 1, 7-23-2012, eff. 10-1-2012; Ord. No. 2553-2020, § 1, 2-8-2021; Ord. No. 2837-2024, § 2, 11-25-2024)

Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT11WASEELCO_CH1145SEUSRE_1145.60--1145.67INMORE_1145.60RIENFetched: 10/27/2026