Chapter 8.30
FIRE PREVENTION AND INVESTIGATION

Sections:

8.30.010    Fire inspections and investigations.

8.30.010 Fire inspections and investigations.

A. So long as fire investigations are not otherwise provided for within the city limits, the city may cause fire investigations to be conducted in the case of fires that damage or threaten property under suspicious circumstances or circumstances requiring further information concerning the origin of the fire in question. The mayor or the mayor’s designee, after consultation with the officer in charge of the suppression of the fire, if any, may direct that a fire investigation be conducted to obtain information concerning a fire within the city limits.

B. In the event a fire investigation is caused to be completed by the city under this section, the costs of such investigation shall be recovered from the owner of the property where the fire occurred. If the property is served with a city utility, the cost of the investigation shall be billed as part of the utility billing for the property. The fire cost shall become the first utility credited with payments received on that account until paid. A property owner may dispute the fire investigation charge in the same manner as provided in this code to dispute a water utility billing. If the property is not served by a city utility, the charge shall be collected in the same manner as other debts owing to the city including the use of a collection service or agency.

(Ord. No. 552, § 1, 7-17-14).