Improving Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspection through digital automation

Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspection

Business Concept

The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspection is a functioning unit of the City of Philadelphia government, and centers on educating, enforcing and enhancing codes as defined for the preservation and growth of public safety. The Department specifically focuses on public safety as it relates to building, fire, housing, business, and zoning regulations. The Department functions as a clearinghouse of the City of Philadelphia's codes and covenants, and works to ensure all buildings being built, those already standing and in need of restoration, and those being planned. The business concept for this City Department is to be of service to all citizens of Philadelphia, serving as a manager of codes, covenants, restrictions and safety regulations to ensure public safety.

Financial situation/needs

As the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspection is funded through the City of Philadelphia operating budget, their fees and funds generated are pooled with other city government organizations. The focus on service and efficiency through automation however will lead to higher citizen satisfaction and greater use of the service, ultimately ensuring a higher quality of life for the citizens of Philadelphia.

Primary competitors

As the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspection is a government-run organization and is sanctioned by the statutes and laws of the City of Philadelphia, there are no major competitors to their service. There is no other government entity that can offer building permits, define zoning laws, handling inspectional, legislative, and administrative zoning and compliance. The only exception to this is when builders decide to build out of the city limits in one of the many neighboring cities surrounding Philadelphia.

Opportunities

There are many opportunities for the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspection to increase its service to the citizens of Philadelphia. Here are several excellent ideas for how this department can increase its value to the citizens of Philadelphia:

Make Non-Health Related Licenses Available Online - While today the Department makes these licenses available only via PDF for later mailing in, it would save much time if the department made all non-health related licenses available for citizens online to fill out.

Online Nuisance Abatement Program - This could be greatly enhanced by making an online form that citizens could use to quickly file complaints if there is construction happening after night-fall for example, or if there is some sort of disturbance in their neighborhoods.

Pay fees online. - Today the Department has not given citizens the option of paying fees online. This could lead to a greater level of fees being paid.