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City Council Moves to Lift Restrictive Covenants Blocking Grocery Stores Across Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Official:Amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," to add a new chapter limiting the use of a restrictive covenant or usage restriction that prohibits a purchaser of property from using the property as a grocery store, all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Bass

Introduced: September 8, 2016

: Committee on Rules

business public health zoning

No one voted on this bill

This bill was introduced in the 2016–2019 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 aims to limit restrictive covenants that prevent property owners from opening grocery stores in their neighborhoods. It is intended to address food deserts and provide more access to affordable healthy food.

What This Bill Does

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

Prohibits the use of restrictive covenants or usage restrictions that prevent property owners from opening a grocery store on their property.
Exempts certain types of properties from the prohibition, but does not specify which types.
Imposes certain terms and conditions on the use of property as a grocery store, but does not specify what those terms and conditions are.
Amends Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, which regulates businesses, trades, and professions, by adding a new chapter regarding restrictive covenants related to the use of property for retail food sales.