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Philadelphia Council Moves to Strengthen Laws Targeting Vacant Houses and Public Nuisances throughout City Neighborhoods

Official:Amending Title 4 of the Philadelphia Code (“The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code”), by revising Subcode PM (“The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code”) to clarify provisions related to the Necessary Urgent Repair Program and make technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Jones

Introduced: May 16, 2024

: Committee on Licenses and Inspections

housing public safety

Plain-Language Summary

This bill clarifies and updates the Necessary Urgent Repair Program to help identify and repair public nuisances in Philadelphia's buildings, particularly in multi-family and vacant single-family homes.

What This Bill Does

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Clarifies provisions related to the Necessary Urgent Repair Program in Subcode PM of the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code.
Updates the definitions of terms used in the Necessary Urgent Repair Program, including defining a "Qualifying Multi-Family Building" as a residential building with a Household Living Use.
Makes technical changes to the code, but the specific changes are not specified.
Amends the Philadelphia Code to revise Subcode PM, specifically Chapter 9, Section PM-906, which deals with the Necessary Urgent Repair Program.

Both Sides

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The case for

This bill simplifies and clarifies the process for owners of multi-family buildings to access funds for urgent repairs, ensuring that critical maintenance is completed in a timely and efficient manner, ultimately benefiting tenants and owners alike by improving the safety and habitability of residential properties throughout the city. By clearly defining what constitutes a "Qualifying Multi-Family Building", the bill ensures that eligible owners can access the necessary funds to address urgent repairs, including issues such as structural damage, electrical or plumbing hazards, and other critical maintenance needs. This clarification will help prevent delays and disputes, allowing owners to focus on addressing the needs of their properties and providing a safer living environment for their tenants.

The case against

This bill gives broad new powers to the City's property maintenance inspectors, allowing them to enter private properties without consent to assess and make repairs, potentially leading to significant costs and liabilities for homeowners and small property owners, including potentially costly litigation if they dispute the inspectors' actions. The bill also increases the burden on property owners to navigate complex and vague regulations, and sets a precedent for further expansion of the city's regulatory reach into private property.

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