Code enforcement reports staff and inspection gains, outlines 2025 priorities after public comment on threatened demolitions

Director Daphne Talley told the committee that Code Enforcement increased field staffing and inspection activity in 2024, and she outlined priorities for 2025 including hiring, fleet procurement, code amendments and faster demolition processes.

Talley said the department increased staff levels and ended the year with 25 code enforcement officers after promotions and hiring; she reported a 40% increase in inspections when more officers were in the field and said inspections rose by “over 17,000” in 2024. The department received 14 new vehicles (12 Mavericks and 2 Durangos) and executed 49 demolitions, including seven multifamily dwellings and three commercial properties, Talley said. She added that the department issued 111 demolition orders and 41 clean‑and‑close orders in 2024 and awarded 70 abatement contracts to city contractors.

Project manager Tayaan English summarized the Safe and Secure Housing initiative: in 2024 Code Enforcement completed 24 collaborative apartment details, conducted 1,410 inspections during those details, and documented 2,406 code violations; several large complexes reached 100% compliance after outreach and enforcement, English said.

During public comment before the presentation, Eric Schulman, a property investor who identified himself as doing business in Atlanta for 30 years, said he bought a single‑family house that entered a code enforcement process and that the city had threatened demolition while he sought permits. Schulman said he discovered a $53,000 lien (referred to in his remarks as a “FIFA” or similar term in the transcript) on another property and asked for assistance to avoid an involuntary demolition and a large lien. Councilmembers and Talley responded: Talley said her staff would meet with the commenter to try to assist and emphasized the department’s willingness to work with owners who obtain permits.

Committee members asked follow‑up questions and requested written follow‑up: Councilmember Byron D. Amos asked for a list of recent neighborhood blitz properties in his district; Councilmember Isha Collins asked how many inspections are focused on multifamily properties (Talley answered 15–20% by their estimate, including properties with four units and up), and how code enforcement’s work intersects with a forthcoming “blight tax” task force (Talley said code enforcement will continue its existing process and will forward properties of interest to the blight task force for review). Talley agreed to follow up in writing on demolition scheduling for a daycare property cited by a councilmember; she said the department typically provides a demolition date once a contractor has a permit and confirmed the award to a city contractor was in progress.

Talley closed with top priorities for 2025: recruit qualified candidates to fill vacancies, secure fleet, amend the Atlanta housing and commercial code (chapter 162) related to vehicle hire, increase resolved complaints by 25%, accelerate the demolition process, execute demolition and clean‑close contracts, and continue the Safe and Secure Housing initiative with stakeholders.

What this means: The department reported measurable increases in capacity and enforcement activity in 2024 and set an agenda for accelerating compliance and demolition workflows in 2025. The committee requested more detailed follow‑up on specific properties brought up during public comment and on demolition timing.