Housing Inspection, Sanitation & Nuisance Enforcement
The Housing Inspection, Sanitation and Nuisance Enforcement section is also responsible for enforcing the local ordinances and regulations that deal with refuse collection and recycling. Inspectors patrol the rubbish collection routes to ensure compliance with the local codes.
The Nuisance Enforcement Program is a cooperative program between Housing Inspection and the Department of Public Works & Parks. They cooperatively enforce the City of Worcester yellow trash bag curbside collection regulations as well as the Nuisance Ordinance. The Nuisance Ordinance intent is to eliminate nuisances such as dilapidated buildings, overgrowth, debris, trash, stagnant pools of water and properties having defective weather protection that cause and contribute to the blight within neighborhoods and commercial areas of the city, and adversely affects the property values for adjacent and surrounding properties.
The Property Review Team (PRT) was created by City Manager Michael V. O'Brien as a multi-department team to focus on problem properties, potential problem properties and lodging houses that are affecting the quality of life of citizens. Members include a Police Department representative, a Fire Department representative and a Housing Enforcement Inspector. The team conducts proactive neighborhood sweeps to educate and enforce all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
