| Philadelphia Vacant Property Ordinance |
| Thursday, 21 September 2000 | |
|
The City of Philadelphia enacted an
ordinance requiring the licensing of vacant properties. Pertinent
provisions of the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code contain
the following provisions: PM-102.4 Vacant structures or lots: The
owner of every vacant lot and every vacant building which is used
or intended to be used in whole or in part for residential
occupancy, shall obtain a license from the Department. Every person
applying for a license shall supply such information as the
Department requires and shall pay an annual fee as set forth in the
administrative code. PM-102-4.1 Timeliness: PM-102.4 requires an owner to obtain a non-transferable license from the City for vacant properties used or intended to be used for primarily residential purposes within ten days of the vacancy. An "owner" is defined in pertinent part as "[a]ny person, agent, operator, firm or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property...or otherwise having control of the property." PM-202.0. There is a requirement to list an agent for multi-family dwellings but single family dwellings are not specifically listed as subject to this requirement. PM-102.6.5. There are general property maintenance provisions regarding the securing and maintaining vacant buildings, specifically that all doors and windows "shall be kept securely locked, fastened or otherwise secured." PM-306.2. Please note, this ordinance was originally approved by the Mayor on March 26, 1997, Bill No. 960587-A. It was subsequently amended, which amendment shortened the time frame to obtain a license from thirty to ten days. To date, no enforcement actions against a servicer under these provisions has been discovered. Copies of the Code can be obtained from: |
