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Philadelphia Council Moves to Shield Historic Landmarks from Removal by Requiring Permits and Fair Compensation Now

Official:Amending Section 14-2007 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Historic Buildings, Structures, Sites, Objects and Districts," by providing for designation of City Treasures, prohibiting removal of City Treasures without first obtaining a Removal Permit, and providing for opportunities for fair compensation to prevent removals that would constitute a material loss to the historic, cultural or artistic fabric of the City, all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Reynolds Brown

Introduced: January 23, 2007

: Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs

city treasurescultural heritagehistoric preservation

No one voted on this bill

This bill was introduced in the 2004–2007 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 proposes a new law to protect and preserve historically significant buildings, structures, and objects in Philadelphia by creating 'City Treasures' designation, requiring removal permits, and providing for fair compensation.

What This Bill Does

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

Designates "City Treasures" - creates a new category of historically significant buildings, structures, and objects that are to be protected and preserved.
Prohibits removal of City Treasures without a Removal Permit - requires anyone who wants to remove a City Treasure to first obtain a permit from the City.
Requires fair compensation for removal of City Treasures - allows for fair compensation to be paid to the City or the owner of a City Treasure if it is removed, to prevent material loss to the historic, cultural, or artistic fabric of the City.
Allows for removal of City Treasures for public viewing or benefit - permits the removal of City Treasures if they are to be maintained for public viewing or benefit within the boundaries of the City.