Council OKs Funds for Building Code Dragnet

A $1.5-million expansion and reorganization of the City of Los Angeles’ Building and Safety Department--hailed as a long-needed dragnet on illicit construction practices--received enthusiastic approval Tuesday from the City Council.

The Neighborhood Improvement Program, approved by a 13-0 vote, is intended to shore up a city agency that has been overwhelmed by complaints of illegal and unregulated building. In the past five years, the number of complaints about residential property violations has doubled while the number of building inspectors has dropped slightly.

Under the new program, 40 inspectors will be hired by next spring, increasing the staff by roughly 60%. The two existing divisions of inspectors--one that oversees new construction, and one to respond to complaints--will be combined into one unit.

The program is expected to almost double the intensity of scrutiny provided by the city’s building inspectors--decreasing each inspector’s area of responsibility from about 8 square miles to 4.5 square miles--and thus serve to decrease community blight. The city would also open 18 satellite building and safety offices under the program.

Popular Proposal

So popular was the proposal approved Tuesday that the only debate focused on where the program would be implemented first.

Frank Kroeger, chief of the Building and Safety Department, said it would take 11 months for the program to be implemented citywide, starting with a first phase in San Pedro, the Westside and San Fernando Valley.

The districts chosen, Kroeger said, “give us a cross-section of an awful lot” and would allow the staff to analyze the program as it goes along. The program needs to be implemented in phases because of the process of hiring 40 new inspectors and opening 18 new field offices.

Kroeger said his goal is citywide implementation as soon as possible.

“Don’t phase me in last if I’ve got problems heavier than anyone else,” complained Councilman Robert Farrell, who represents parts of South-Central Los Angeles.

Councilman Gilbert Lindsay also challenged Kroeger, saying, “Tell me the west side of town has more serious building problems than South-Central.” Lindsay’s district covers downtown and neighborhoods to the south.

Office in Watts

Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, whose district stretches from San Pedro to Watts, defended Kroeger’s selection, noting that a high priority is to place a Building and Safety Department office at the City Hall annex in Watts.

Officials expect that the tougher enforcement will make contractors and homeowners more conscientious about applying for permits and paying the attendant fees. The city also plans to increase the fines for recalcitrant property owners and contractors who violate city codes.

Under the program, there would be no increase in the permit fees. Permits are required for all permanent construction, and for many relatively minor additions, such as a central air-conditioning system or a new water heater. Code violations, meanwhile, include such concerns as autos parked on front yards and hedges that grow too high.