Neighborhood Services Department has a variety of programs both city-wide and in targeted areas; we protect and sustain residential buildings, monitor nuisance businesses and respond to many types of concerns directly impacting where we all live, work and play. A list of related plans and reports are maintained.

Here are the key goals of the Neighborhood Services Department:

• The department is creating a team that will work within the community to ensure that the City is supporting active, vibrant neighborhoods by focusing on neighborhood improvements and engagement rather than solely on ticketing and enforcement.

• The department is collaborative and is reframing as a data-driven, collaborative team that serves as the liaison between neighborhood & community leaders and KCMO internal operations.

• We will coordinate with neighborhood & community leaders to address current concerns and anticipate future innovation. The goal is to triage concerns and solve issues on behalf of the community.

• Our staff will assist with connecting neighborhoods to resources, both city and non-city, and connect with cultural programs, to help them thrive.

Our programs include:

• Animal Health and Public Safety
• Neighborhood Preservation
• Regulated Industries, including licenses and permits for liquor and other similarly regulated businesses
• Neighborhood Support Services
• 311
• Bizcare

The Safe Harbor Program (authorized by Ordinance 180726) creates provisions for redevelopers allowing a reprieve from further City code violations on newly acquired residential properties for rehabilitation and reoccupation.

The following criteria must be met:

Eligibility

• Project must be for rehabilitation of residential property
• Applicant must have become owner of the property within 30 days of the date application is submitted
• Owner intends to rehabilitate the property within a reasonable period of time (see below)

Requirements

• Meet with assigned inspector within five (5) business days to develop a plan and timeline for repairs
• Comply with all requirements in the rehabilitation plan
• Consent to on-site inspections every 30 days (eligibility is dependent upon inspector approval and progress according to the timeline)
• Completion within 120 days (4 months) unless an extension is granted
• Unlawful entry issues must be addressed within 48 hours and property must be kept secure throughout the duration of the project
• All Chapter 48 (nuisance) violations must be addressed and abated for the duration of the project, unless otherwise allowed in the rehabilitation plan

If you meet these guidelines, please apply and request an inspection date via CompassKC (under Apply Permit/Plan, select Plan: Safe Harbor Rehabilitation) and include the following information:

• Name
• Applicant address
• Address of property being rehabilitated
• A rough description of the rehabilitation work anticipated
• Email address
• Contact phone number

Please attach a copy of the recorded Property Deed as proof of purchase. Contracts for Deed are not sufficient.