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260533Signed Into Law

Council Proposes Tougher Rules for Sidewalk Cafes in Philly Amid Enforcement Concerns

Localmedium impact · 5/10substantive260533

Council Proposes Tougher Rules for Sidewalk Cafes in Philly Amid Enforcement Concerns

Official:Amending Section 9-208 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Cafés," to revise remedies and provide for enforcement of sidewalk cafés provisions, all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Squilla

Introduced: May 14, 2026

Signed: June 11, 2026

: Committee on Streets and Services

sidewalk cafesbusiness regulationspublic safety

Status: Signed into Law, step 4 of 4

Introduced
In Committee
Passed Council
Signed into LawNow

Plain-Language Summary

This bill updates rules for sidewalk cafes in Philadelphia, including penalties for non-compliance and a special enforcement rule for the First Council District.

What This Bill Does

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

Establishes a fine of $300 per day for non-compliance with sidewalk café provisions, except in the First Council District where a lower fine applies.
Creates a new category of offense called "Repeat Violation" for individuals who commit multiple violations of sidewalk café provisions, with each subsequent violation constituting a separate offense.
Provides for a reduced fine of $75 per quarter for violations in the First Council District, under certain conditions related to the application and review process.
Imposes a requirement for restaurants in the First Council District to submit an application for a sidewalk café by June 1, 2026, as a condition for the reduced fine.

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Philadelphia Context

Public Safety

Police districts: 21
Homicides (2023): 406
Sworn police officers: 6,200
Fire stations: 62
Police Dept FY2025 budget: $885 million

Philadelphia Police Dept 2023 Annual Report

City Budget

Total FY2025 operating budget: $6.3 billion
General Fund: $5.6 billion
Police Dept: $885 million
Human Services: $520 million
Fire Dept: $298 million

City of Philadelphia FY2025 Operating Budget

Philadelphia Overview

Population: 1,576,251
Median household income: $52,649
Poverty rate: 21.8%
Unemployment rate: 6.2%
Adults with bachelor's degree: 32.4%

U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2022

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