Philadelphia budget adds more inspectors to oversee construction and demolition

Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections will receive a much needed boost if the mayor’s proposed budget is approved. 

In the spending plan, Mayor Michael Nutter came through on a promise to beef up agencies that handle building inspections.

“In total [Licenses & Inspections] and the departments that support its work like the Philadelphia Fire Department, will receive $5.5 million in new funding in FY 16 and that funding will rise to $10.8 million by FY18,” Nutter said. 

The goal is to add inspectors in order to make sure buildings are safe and secure in Philadelphia.

“Overall this is an aggressive plan that adds staff to target vacant properties and creates new positions for trained professionals to oversee electrical plumbing and crane safety,” he said. 

A report by the City Controller’s office cites approximate 1,000 vacant properties in violation of the city code and 100 of them to be imminently dangerous.  It called for adding 100 more inspectors.  Nutter’s proposed funding would add 43 new positions.