Licenses and Inspections points to advances in the coming year

Philadelphia’s department of Licenses and Inspections came before City Council this morning as part of its annual budget hearings.

Licenses and Inspections Commissioner Fran Burns says the department is cracking down on vacant properties that are in violation of city regulations, using interns to track down the true owners of 25 thousand vacant properties in the city.

“L and I and the City Solicitor will contact owners in writing and explain the enforcement action they will face if they do not maintain vacant properties to code,” said Burns.  “For owners with multiple vacancies across the city L and I plans to investigate fully and where appropriate make an example by going after owner assets.”

Burns says officials are also adding a weekend inspector shift.”To offer weekend service to customers and to increase visibility to further deter work without permits,” she said.The inspector is expected to begin working by the end of the month.