Localmedium impact · 5/10substantive030645

City Limits Large Retail Stores Selling Food, Cosmetics and Personal Care Items Across Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Official:Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code relating to "Zoning and Planning," by amending Chapter 14-1600, entitled "Miscellaneous," by adding a new Section 14-1628, entitled "Zoning and Construction Permits for Retail Stores," all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Mariano

Introduced: October 2, 2003

: Committee on Rules

business planning zoning

No one voted on this bill

This bill was introduced in the 2000–2003 Council term and when that term ran out. The public record shows no committee vote and no floor vote at any stage, so no member of Council ever went on record for or against it.

That is not unusual here. Of the 8,465 bills introduced between 2000 and 2025, 1,624 lapsed without a single recorded vote. Ninety percent of bills that became law carry a roll call. Three percent of lapsed bills do. How this works.

Plain-Language Summary

This bill adds a new section to Philadelphia's Zoning Code that limits the size and scope of retail stores selling food, cosmetics, and personal care items. Specifically, it prohibits permits for any store over 180,000 square feet in these categories, unless the store meets certain conditions.

What This Bill Does

AI-written. Every figure is checked against the bill text.

Prohibition on permits for retail stores over 180,000 square feet: The bill prohibits issuing permits for any retail store or shopping facility selling food, cosmetics, and personal care items if the facility is anticipated or projected to exceed 180,000 square feet.
Conditions for exceptions: The bill implies that there may be certain conditions under which a store over 180,000 square feet can be permitted, but these conditions are not specified in the provided text.
Scope of affected businesses: The bill specifically targets retail stores and shopping facilities that sell nontaxable food merchandise and/or cosmetics, soaps, non-prescription drugs, and toiletries. 4.