§ 2-13. Transfer of powers from Department of Public Works.

(a) Building and zoning authority.

All of the powers, duties, and responsibilities conferred or imposed on the Department of Public Works pursuant to §§ 33 and 34 of Article VII of the Charter of Baltimore City (1964 Revision) {Article VII, § 32 of the City Charter (1996 Edition)}, including

(1) the authority to issue permits for, and exercise such supervision and inspection over, building construction and installations, the use of land and buildings, the alterations, relocation, repair, reconstruction, and change of occupancy of buildings and the number of families housed in buildings in the City and the power and duty to inspect, repair, condemn, and remove private property in Baltimore City at the expense of the owner thereof as are now or may hereafter be conferred by law or ordinance, and

(2) the right to exercise the powers and perform the duties conferred and imposed upon the Zoning Commissioner by Ordinance No. 1247, approved March 30, 1931, as amended from time to time, and as are now or may hereafter be conferred upon him by law or ordinance,

are hereby transferred and assigned to the Department of Housing and Community Development.

(b) Powers of Building Inspection Bureau.

The Department of Housing and Community Development is hereby authorized and directed in the place and stead of the Department of Public Works to exercise and perform all of those powers, duties, functions and discretions that were vested in the Department of Public Works, which were, prior to the effective date of Ordinance No. 1091 of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, approved August 2, 1967, vested in the Bureau of Building Inspection under the terms and provisions of any and all contracts, agreements or other legal instruments, which heretofore may have been entered into by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore in the exercise and performance of the powers, duties and functions authorized by §§ 33 and 34 of Article VII of the Charter of Baltimore City (1964 Revision) {Article VII, § 32 of the City Charter (1996 Edition)}.

The Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development is hereby authorized and directed to exercise and perform all of those authorities, powers, responsibilities, rights and/or duties imposed or conferred upon the Director of Public Works pursuant to §§ 33 and 34 of Article VII of the Charter of Baltimore City (1964 Revision) {Article VII, § 32 of the City Charter (1996 Edition)} which were, prior to the effective date of Ordinance No. 1091 of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, approved August 2, 1967, imposed or conferred by ordinance or otherwise upon the Building Inspection Engineer and the Zoning Commissioner.

(d) Community Services Division unaffected.

Nothing in this § 2-13 shall be taken or construed to require the transfer of the Community Services Division to the Department of Housing and Community Development, and said Community Services Division shall remain in the Department of Public Works.