Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement - Annual Report

Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement 2018 Annual Report

Message from the Code Enforcement Manager and Building Code Official

I am pleased to present the Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement 2018 Annual Report.

After informing a few Municipal Officials that I would be creating
and presenting an annual report I was informed that it was unknown when the last time, if ever, the Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement submitted a formal and detailed annual report to Municipal Council and the Municipal Administrator. This report symbolizes a milestone, an important step in moving our office towards the right direction by making our operations more transparent and accountable.


Amrinder Singh, CCEA, MCP, CBO

This report summarizes highlights from calendar year 2018, a pivotal year for us as we focus on improving our office from the ground up, and also reviews data from the previous 5 years to showcase past operations and performance and how we will continue to build and improve our Department to become more efficient, productive, and customer service orientated.

With the guidance from Municipal Council and Municipal Administrator, we are establishing key initiatives, programs, and operational strategies and continue to improve the foundation of our office,
so we can ensure future successes and wholesale change to be an accountable, results driven organization, while being committed to providing outstanding customer service. This development will take time, persistence, belief, and dedication, and I am confident we are getting there and will succeed.

Let’s recall a few highlights from 2018:
• Reviewed Department Operations and Created & Implemented Standard Operating Procedures / Written Policies for Fair, Consistent, & Uniform Operations.
• Increased Staff Efficiency & Productivity.
• Increased Transparency of Department Operations.
• Numerous Customer Service Improvements.
• Working with Municipal Administrator Jones to Create Online 24/7 eGovernment / Citizen Service Portal (online filing for permits, licensing's, rental registration, property transfers, & payments. Online appointment/inspection scheduling, etc.)
• Created the Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement Mission, Vision, Purpose, Goals, Values, & Service Statement.
• Working on Obtaining Department Accreditation.
• Updated Department Fee Schedule.
• Started the Open Permits Project
• Started the Norristown Exterior Property Inspection & Rating Program. For the first time in the Departments history, the Department has implemented a strategic exterior inspection & rating program for all 10,430+ tax parcels / properties in Norristown. Inspectors are going block by block, building by building, lot by lot, and performing exterior inspections & rating properties. Thank you letters will be sent to property owners with no violations so that they can be recognized. Letters/Notices of Violations will be sent to property owners where violations are observed.
• Comprehensive Existing Ordinance & Code Review. Reviewed all Municipal Ordinances & Codes that Department Administers & Enforces. Recognized that some ordinances are outdated & need to be updated. Many inconsistencies. Need to eliminate loopholes. Strengthen existing ordinances. Working with Municipal Administrator Jones and Municipal Council to introduce new codes/update existing ordinances to better protect the health, safety, and welfare of all who live, work, play, learn, visit, and invest in Norristown.

Here are some stats from 2018:
Buildings
• 1,683 Permits Issued (Building, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection). In 2018, 365 More Permits Were Issued Than 2017. Increase of 27.69%.
• 7.2 Days on Average for Permit Issuance (From Receiving Fully Completed Permit Application & Payment). 58.53% of All Permit Applications Were Reviewed & Issued within 7 Business Days.
• 1,873 Permit Inspections Performed (Building, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection). In 2018, 241 More Permit Inspections Performed Than 2017. Increase of 14.77%.
• 210 Stop Work Orders Issued (For Performing Work Without Permits). In 2018, 108 More Stop Work Orders Were Issued Than 2017. Increase of 105.88%.
• $38,393,288.94 worth of improvements pledged by Property Owners. In 2018, $18,637,730.24 More Dollars Pledged In Property Improvements Than 2017. Increase of 94.34%.
• Performed More Pro-Active Construction Site Inspections. 2,278 violation notices issued (1,662.77% increase) than 2017.
Code Enforcement
• 5,568 Notices of Violations Issued. 3,048 More Notices of Violation Were Issued 2018 Than 2017. Increase of 120.95%
• 10,312 Violations Found in Issued Notices of Violation. 7,112 More Violations Were Found In 2018 Than 2017. Increase of 222.25%.
• 1,995 Instant Tickets Issued. 98 More Instant Tickets Issued In 2018 Than 2017. Increase of 5.17%.
Housing
• 3,841 Rental Buildings (8,867 Units). 240 More Buildings Registered As Rentals in 2018 Than 2017. Increase of 6.66%.
• 3,028 Violations Found in Rental Properties. 152 More Violations Found. Increase of 5.29%.
Property Transfers
• 670 Property Transfer Buildings Inspected (866 Units). 15 More Buildings Inspected in 2018 Than 2017. Increase of 2.29%.
• 18,616 Violations Found in Buildings. 7,561 More Violations Found in 2018 Than 2017. Increase of 68.39%.
Other Info
• Issued 935 Court Citations.
• Staff Managed / Performed 14 Community Clean Ups.
• The Department Spent 89.85% of its Budget. Below Budget $88,802. In 2018, We Spent $25,709 Less Than in 2017.
• In 2018, the Department collected $1,364,562 in Revenue. In 2018, We Collected $217,754 More Than in 2017.
• Assisted the Police Department & Fire Department over 115+ times for Building Safety / Code Related Matters.

A positive change is underway at the Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement. We continue to become a more efficient and productive department. We are making the necessary updates to optimize our operations and delivery of service. We are working diligently everyday to protect the biggest investments of people’s lives -their properties. By enforcing building, housing, property maintenance, and other Municipal & State codes, we make Norristown’s properties where we live, work, play, and learn safer.

Although I am happy with the progress and accomplishments that has been made at the Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement in this last year, these steps only represent a beginning. Much more work and numerous challenges remain. Nevertheless, the Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement will forge ahead and we will continue to report on our progress.

I hope you will review the full report and provide us with feedback on how we can continue to improve operations. Thank you.

Please Click Here or on The Picture Below to View the Full Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement 2018 Annual Report.