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Amending Chapter 9-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Property Licenses and Owner Accountability," to clarify licensing requirements, authorize the Department to create a Proactive Inspection program, require public reporting related to Code compliance, and establish remedies, damages, and protections for tenants, all under certain terms and conditions.
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THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
TITLE 9. REGULATION OF BUSINESSES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
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CHAPTER 9-3900. PROPERTY LICENSES AND OWNER ACCOUNTABILITY
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? 9-3901. General Provisions.
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(4) Non-compliance, Private Right of Action and Suspension. In addition to the provisions for license suspension set forth in Subcode A of Title 4, the following provisions shall also apply to licenses required by this Chapter:
(a) The Department is authorized to immediately suspend a license if a property is deemed unfit or unsafe or imminently dangerous. any violation having been found against the premises;
(b) Rental licenses shall not be issued, renewed, or deemed in good legal standing if there are any outstanding violations or habitability issues, as detailed in ? 9-3903(2)(b), which have been of record for more than 30 days, unless the owner has filed an appeal of the violation which is pending and the owner has notified the Department of such appeal in a manner prescribed by the Department;
(c) Any owner whose rental license has expired or become inactive or any owner who has failed to correct code violations or habitability issues, as detailed in ? 9-3903(2)(b), shall immediately notify all tenants via first class mail that, pursuant to ? 9-3901(4)(i) the owner is not permitted to collect rent or file an eviction until they obtain a valid rental license and come into compliance with requirements for a valid Certificat...
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