The Code & Public Nuisance Litigation Unit represents the City of Philadelphia in matters that directly protect the lives, health, and safety of Philadelphia’s citizens and visitors. Unit attorneys represent the Department of Licenses and Inspections, Department of Public Health, Philadelphia Historical Commission, Fire Department, Fair Housing Commission, and other City departments in a broad spectrum of enforcement matters before the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, the Philadelphia Municipal Court, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Court, and several administrative boards including the Board of Licenses and Inspection Review, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Tax Review Board.

Through an array of enforcement tools, the unit’s attorneys ensure that individuals and businesses meet all licensing, permit, and other regulatory requirements under Title 4 (Building Construction and Occupancy Code), Title 6 (Health Code), Title 9 (Regulation of Business, Trades, and Professions), Title 10 (Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity), and Title 14 (Zoning and Planning) of the Philadelphia Code. Attorneys in the Code Enforcement Unit file lawsuits against property owners and businesses who maintain dangerous, hazardous, and unsafe businesses and properties which threaten the public health and safety, and decrease property values in the community. Through the courts, the unit aggressively pursues fines, re-inspection fees, and injunctive relief. In addition to proactively filing lawsuits against non-Code complaint property owners and businesses, unit attorneys defend the City’s actions before various administrative boards and litigate any local agency appeals before the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.