Cool Spring / Tilton Neighborhood Association

Licenses and Inspections: Information and Phone Numbers

Commissioner Starkey Addressed Neighborhood Association

Mr. Jeff Starkey, Commissioner of Licenses and Inspections, was the guest speaker at the Association meeting on October 11, 2003. Mr. Strakey assumed the post of Commissioner in January, 2001, after serving as deputy commissioner for several years. The mission of the Department (L & I ) is to promote and protect the general welfare of all citizens of the City of Wilmington through aggressive enforcement of codes and regulations thorough reviews and monitoring of all building structures, business codes requirements, and providing guidance to ensure our City grows safely and wisely.

L & I itself is organized into six divisions (Housing, Building, Zoning, Planning, Building Permits, and Mechanical). When a complaint is received, a case number is issued. In order to make follow-up easier, make sure you get and write down the case number. You may also fill out a complaint form in person at the Department of Licenses and Inspections. The complaint is assigned to the appropriate division that makes an on-site inspection. If the property is found to be in violation, a citation is issued in 2-7 days and sent to the owner via certified mail. If no acknowledgment of receipt is received, L & I will physically post the citation on the property. If the problem isn’t corrected, a criminal citation is issued and court proceedings are initiated.

Mr. Starkey said that L & I has increased staffing and that the inspectors are required to be certified. They are trying to do more preventative and proactive work by doing housing sweeps on a block by block basis.

One of the most recent concerns for the Neighborhood Association is the poor treatment of people calling to report a complaint/violation. Several people have experienced intimidation on the phone or "harassment-type" citations imposed on the caller for a piece of paper in the yard or a little chipped paint. We brought this to Mr. Starkey’s attention and he will look into the matter. If you have any concerns about properties on your block that are in disrepair, contact Karen Torres at the Complaints Hotline at
571-4350 or 571-4351. If you have filed a complaint and there has been no action or if you are initimidated by an inspector, contact Mr. Jeff Starkey at 571-4354. Also report problems with inspectors to Clara Zahradnik at 652-8048. The Association will keep track of these incidents and discuss with Mr. Starkey.