Portsmouth reports more than 11,000 code violations in 2025; department eyes new tech to speed case work

Portsmouth — Interim Permits and Inspections Director Mister Mike Miller told council that code enforcement remains active across the city and that new technology is slated to speed inspections and case management.

Miller said the department enforces Part 3 of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (maintenance code) and chapters 17 and 23 of the Code of Portsmouth related to housing conditions and nuisances. “We cited over well, over 11,000 violations” in 2025, Miller said, and described the department’s proactive structure: three team leaders supervise 14 neighborhood inspectors who patrol 70 areas on a weekly basis and attend civic-league meetings.

Miller explained common enforcement timelines: inspectors may issue a 30‑day notice for property maintenance violations, an additional 30 days if unresolved, 10‑day notices for certain violations (with a subsequent final notice) and up to 90 days for substantial structural repair plans. If owners do not comply, staff may abate (contract for cleanup) and place liens for recovery, or pursue demolition for derelict structures following certified notice and newspaper advertisement.

The director also reported SeeClickFix intake figures: 702 SeeClickFix cases were opened last year, 539 closed and the open backlog had fallen from 163 to 129 during presentation preparation. Miller said the city is implementing a new cloud‑based permitting and inspection system that will allow field tablets, reduce manual entry and produce better trending and dashboards for case-cycle times.

Councilmembers raised questions about distinctions between grass/shrubbery rules for occupied versus vacant properties, coordination with zoning for open storage or parking on lawns, towing of vehicles in commercial lots, and enforcement capacity. Miller and staff said they will continue to refine communication to residents about notices and correction steps and to work with the city attorney and courts when legal remedies are needed.