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Council proposes stricter rules on tree encroachment on Philadelphia properties

Official:Amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code,” by amending Subcode “PM” (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code), to add restrictions and remedies regarding encroaching trees, under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Phillips

Introduced: September 28, 2023

housing maintenance trees

No one voted on this bill

This bill was introduced in the 2020–2023 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 rules to prevent trees from encroaching on neighboring properties and allows the city to take action if a property owner doesn't fix the issue.

What This Bill Does

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

Adds a new provision to the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code (PM) that prohibits property owners from allowing trees on their property to overhang or rest on neighboring properties under certain conditions.
Requires property owners to take action to abate encroaching trees within 60 days of receiving a notice of violation from the Department.
Authorizes the Department to prune or remove encroaching trees if the property owner fails to abate the issue, and the property owner is liable for the costs of such work.
Exempts Street Trees from the provisions of this ordinance, as defined in Section 15-203 of The Philadelphia Code.