§ 32-3-109. SAME - REQUIRED TO FILE ALL BOOKS AND PAPERS DELIVERED.

(a)

Maintaining files.

(1)

The Zoning Commissioner shall file all papers delivered to the Commissioner's office for filing.

(2)

The Director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections shall have the official custody of all books and papers relating to the office of the Zoning Commissioner.

(b)

Copies.

(1)

The Director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections shall furnish with reasonable promptness a copy of any record in the office to a person applying for the record upon advanced payment of the charges established by the County Administrative Officer for transcribing, photographing, or reproducing the paper or record.

(2)

Except as provided under § 32-3-108(b) of this subtitle, the reproduction when made and certified under the seal of the Director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections shall be evidence in any court or before any county board, commission, or official.

(c)

Inspection of records. Upon request, the Director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections shall promptly give a person immediate access to:

(1)

Inspect and examine, as soon as received for filing or at any time thereafter, all papers filed in the Zoning Commissioner's office;

(2)

Make notes from the papers filed in the Zoning Commissioner's office for any lawful purpose, without payment of fees; and

(3)

Examine the records and indexes in the office, without payment of fees.

(d)

Availability of records to county officials.

(1)

The Director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections shall keep all records open to inspection by the County Executive or any member of the County Council at all reasonable times, whether or not the records are required to be kept by statute or ordinance.

(2)

The Director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections may allow other county officials to remove a zoning file from the office, provided the official signs a receipt book kept by the Director as a permanent record that shows the date and time that the file is taken and returned.

(3)

When the file is returned, the receipt book shall be signed by the person who removed the file and countersigned by the Director or the Director's designee.

(e)

Transfer of files to a court or Board of Appeals. When the Director of Permits, Approvals and Inspections transfers a file to the Board of Appeals, a circuit court, or the State Court of Appeals, the Director is relieved from any duties or responsibilities in connection with the file until the file is returned to the Director.

(1988 Code, § 26-131) (Bill No. 18, 1990, § 2, 3-30-1990; Bill No. 4, 1992, § 1, 3-2-1992; Bill No. 103-02, § 2, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 122-10, §§ 12, 30, 1-16-2011)