City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE USE OF
THIRD-PARTY BUILDING INSPECTORS TO
ADDRESS THE BACKLOG OF BUILDING
INSPECTIONS IN THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON
Whereas, in correspondence dated July 10, 2025, the Commissioner of the Department of Buildings formally requested authorization for the Department of Buildings to implement a third-party building inspection program to address the current backlog of building inspections and to support timely enforcement of the Uniform Code; and
Whereas, the City of Mount Vernon is required to enforce the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (the "Uniform Code") and the New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code (the "Energy Code") pursuant to Title 19 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (NYCRR); and
Whereas, the New York State Department of State (NYSDOS), following a formal audit requested by the City, issued a letter dated April 15, 2024, identifying deficiencies in the City's inspection and enforcement practices and recommending improvements, including resuming and implementing fire safety and property maintenance inspections for Public Assembly, Multiple Dwelling, and Nonresidential occupancies; and
Whereas, the City has responded in part by outsourcing Multiple Dwelling inspections, and the Department of Buildings provided temporary assistance with Public Assembly inspections until the Fire Department assumed responsibility as of February 2025; and
Whereas, as a result of the temporary reassignment of resources and continuing personnel shortages, the Department of Buildings currently faces a backlog exceeding 1,700 inspections; and
Whereas, Section 1203.2(d) of Title 19 NYCRR permits jurisdictions to contract with qualified third-party individuals or firms to carry out building safety inspections, provided such individuals meet qualification standards comparable to those under Part 1208 of Title 19; and
Whereas, third-party inspectors may not...
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