Keeping the City Safe and Livable
The City has many efforts designed to ensure the safety and well being of our residents and businesses. The information below will help to keep you up to date and provide answers to your code enforcement questions.
The Bureau of Property Maintenance and Housing Inspections is responsible for ensuring safe and quality housing stock through the administration of the City of Lancaster’s Property Maintenance and Rental Property Ordinances. The Bureau is committed to working with residents, tenants, property owners, landlords, and community organizations to educate the public on maintaining their properties.
The Bureau of Health inspects eateries, mobile food trucks, tattoo businesses and other public facilities to ensure compliance with State health and food safety standards. They also work with other organizations such as Lancaster General Health on initiatives designed to improve the overall health of our city. Efforts include community gardens and healthy food initiatives. The unit is also responsible for coordinating pest control programs for the City.
The Bureau of Building Code Administration reviews construction plans and conducts inspections to ensure compliance with the State Uniform Construction Code and applicable local ordinances. The Bureau reviews and evaluates structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical plans for new construction as well as for renovation or remodeling of existing buildings. The Bureau issues all building permits in the City and manages the use of third-party plan review and inspection firms in the City.
These units work with other City Departments and Bureaus including the Bureau of Planning, Bureau of Fire, Bureau of Police, Department of Public Works, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture as well as the City’s Building Codes Board of Appeals, Housing Appeals Boards, Plumbing Board of Examiners, Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB), Historical Commission, and Property Reinvestment Board. This interaction serves to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community.
- Does the establishment know when you are coming to preform a health inspection?
- How often do you health inspect an establishment?
- What are some problems you might find in a food establishment during a health inspection?
- What do you inspect during a health inspection?
- What do you look for in a health inspection?
- What happens when you get a complaint about a restaurant or a store?
- What if I see a health problem at a restaurant or food store in Lancaster City?
- What is the Food Safety Certification requirement?
- Who regulates Tattoo Businesses for health?
- How do I find out if my child has been exposed to lead?
- How does lead affect children?
- If a lead test is positive, what can I do?
- Is there lead-based paint in my home?
- What are some sources of lead in a child’s environment?
- What are some symptoms of lead poisoning?
- What is a lead test like?
- What is lead poisoning?
- What services does the City offer on lead?
- Why is it important to know about lead poisoning?
