The Vacant Property Toolkit from the Business and Professional People for the Public Interest is finally ready and posted on its website at http://www.bpichicago.org/VacantPropertyResources.php I’ve written about this […]
Building Codes / Code Enforcement
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Most Creative Illegal Conversion
This is by far the most creative conversion of a structure into a residence I’ve ever seen. It’s a pool! Can anyone top this? It’s a pool, no […]
property maintenance
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Up on a Roof
Calling all inspectors. Help me help a prosecutor decide what violations this picture contains . The person is storing tires on a roof and says they’re planters. Illegal […]
Foreclosure / Politics / Politics and building codes / property maintenance
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Frustration in Dealing with Foreclosed Properties
I’m recently back from the Region III conference in Brooklyn Park, MN put on by AMBO. This year I stayed an extra night courtesy of Mother Nature (my […]
Building Codes / Code Enforcement / Fire Prevention / Ordinances / property maintenance
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Which Code Should I Use?
I recently did an all day training for the Illinois Fire Inspectors Association and I found myself talking about using multiple codes for violations. Fire inspectors often work […]
Building Codes / Fire Prevention
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The Cycle of Tragedy and Lack of Building Codes Continues – Haiti
The earthquake tragedy in Haiti is a reminder of what can happen when there are no building codes or the existing ones aren’t enforced, when there are no […]
Building Codes / Court cases / Zoning
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Mandamus and the limits of immunity
Sometimes a building code official may become a defendant in a mandamus action. A mandamus action is a lawsuit wherei nthe plaintiff tries to compel a governmental official […]
Uncategorized
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How to Construct a Snowman
Mick Vogt, an inspector with Villa Park, IL shared this video with me of “How to Construct a Snowman” from a zoning inspector’s perspective. It’s delightful. http://www.gontramarchitecture.com/portfolio/Holiday_Video_2009/How_to_Construct_a_Snowman.swf
Code Enforcement
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Christmas Tree Code Violation
Just when I think I’ve seen everything, an inspector sends me a picture she took after someone complained about a code violation. In keeping with the season, I […]
Code Enforcement / Foreclosure
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MERS and tracing lenders on properties
For anyone who is not aware of it, MERS was created by the mortgage banking industry to streamline the mortgage process by using electronic commerce to eliminate paper. […]