Target 11 exclusive: Head of city code enforcement cited for code violation

PITTSBURGH — The head of the city of Pittsburgh’s code enforcement was cited for a code violation in her own home.

Maura Kennedy is the director of Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections. However, she doesn’t make any excuses for herself.

She told Target 11’s Rick Earle that she will correct the violation at her century-old Stanton Heights home to ensure it meets standards.

The home is under renovation. In August, inspectors issued a citation because the fence was leaning. According to online records, inspectors returned on Sept. 12 and the fence had not been fixed. The returned again in October and the fence was still in disrepair.

The case is now scheduled for a court hearing.

“I got my violation in the mail just like everyone else,” Kennedy said. “There’s truly one system and one code that everyone follows.”

Kennedy said the city wants people investing in older homes and reinvigorating neighborhoods and admits when it came to her home, she couldn’t fix everything at once.

“Sometimes these homes have a lot of significant problems,” she said. “That was the case here.”

Kennedy said she and her partner, who owns the home, are in the process of hiring a structural engineer to determine the best course of action. She said they’ve spent a lot of money over the past two years renovating the home.

“I think there is one process for everyone, where there’s a standard permitting process or standard violation process. It’s unrealistic to think that somebody who buys a 120-year-old house is going to repair it all tomorrow.”

Since Kennedy’s partner owns the home, she will be responsible for appearing in court next month to respond to the code violation.

Cox Media Group