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Council proposes ban on new accessory uses at properties with existing variances

Official:Amending Chapter 14-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning Board Of Adjustment," to prohibit accessory uses in connection with a principal use authorized by variance, under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember O'Neill

Introduced: December 11, 2008

: Committee on Rules

housing land use zoning

No one voted on this bill

This bill was introduced in the 2008–2011 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 amends the Zoning Board of Adjustment rules to prohibit accessory uses (like a backyard deck) from being added to properties that have been granted variances. This means that homeowners who get special permission for something on their property can't add additional features without getting further approval.

What This Bill Does

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

The bill prohibits accessory uses (like a backyard deck) from being added to properties that have been granted variances.
This means that homeowners who get special permission for something on their property (e.g. a variance for a larger building) cannot add additional features (e.g. a deck) without getting further approval.
The bill restricts the types of accessory uses that can be added to a property with a variance, limiting them to "necessary public utility facilities accessory to the principal use".
The Zoning Board of Adjustment has the power to determine whether an accessory use is allowed, subject to certain terms and conditions.