Legislation

City Council Vows to Revamp Newsstand Regulations Allowing Wider Merchandise Selection Amid New Signage Restrictions

Small business owners celebrate as City Hall eases restrictions on what newsstands can sell, but warns vendors to remove oversized signs from sidewalks or face fines starting next month.

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City Closes Loophole on E-Cigarettes in Philly Businesses Where Kids Can Browse

New Limits on Parking Placards to Hit Low-Income Residents Hardest: City Council Votes to Raise Cost of Resident Permits

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Philadelphia Updates Parking and Commercial Rules for Properties with Multiple Street Frontages

Philadelphia Property Owners Will Soon Have More Flexibility to Use Their Alleys as Outdoor Spaces After Council Votes to Relax Zoning Restrictions on Accessory Structures The new law will allow homeowners to build larger decks, patios, or other outdoor features without needing a variance.

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Property Owners and Business Leaders Face Liability for Human Trafficking on Their Properties

This bill makes it a crime for property owners and business leaders to knowingly allow human trafficking on their properties or in their businesses.

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Retailers Ordered To Accept Cash Payments Under New City Ordinance Amid Growing Concerns Over Payment Discrimination

This bill makes it illegal for retail businesses in Philadelphia to refuse cash payments, with some exceptions.

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Council sought to curb opioid overprescription with new Pharmaceutical Sales and Marketing Practices law.

Pharmaceutical giants will soon be forced to reveal who's peddling pills in Philly streets as City Council votes on a new law cracking down on opioid profiteers and their sales tactics.

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Council Introduces Bill to Regulate Massage Therapy Businesses in Philadelphia

Councilmembers Greenlee and Reynolds Brown introduce bill to license and register all massage therapists and businesses in Philadelphia, updating laws on prohibited conduct, fees, and penalties. The goal is to curb illicit massage businesses tied to sex trade and human trafficking.

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City Council Passes Zoning Code Update, Clarifies Definitions of Ground Cover, Streams and Swales

Homeowners on the city's 13 zoning overlay districts will have to reapply for permits after new regulations redefine what constitutes a "stream" in order to prevent overdevelopment.

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Philadelphia's Wage Theft Law Strengthened With New Penalties and Complaint Procedures Established

Local business owners are now facing increased penalties and fines if caught underpaying or cheating employees out of wages, with the city cracking down on widespread wage theft that has drained millions from workers' pockets annually.

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Lifeguards Scarce at Philly Beaches This Summer as Council Mandates Warning Signs Amid Safety Fears

This bill requires public bathing establishments in Philadelphia to post warning signs when there is no lifeguard on duty, and also warns non-swimmers and children under 14 of the need for adult supervision.

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City to Levy Fee on Property Deals to Fund Wrecking of Blighted Buildings Across Philly

Philadelphia's demolition fund gets a boost as City Council passes bill imposing fee on property deals to tear down blighted buildings, aiming to revitalize neighborhoods through economic development.

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City Council Restores Exemption for Certain Contracts with Advocate Group for Children in Peril

Contractors working with vulnerable kids may face higher scrutiny after City Council votes to scrap a key exemption, potentially upending decades-long relationships with groups like the Support Center for Child Advocates.

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Law Department Given Authority to Standardize City Code Appearance and Formatting

Philadelphia Small Business Owners Urge Council to Repeal Parking Meter Fee Hike, Calling it a "Death Sentence" for Local Shops. The proposed fee increase would bring in an estimated $30 million annually, but opponents claim it will strangle small businesses along commercial corridors.

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Tow Trucks Must Meet New Requirements Under Revised Philadelphia Code.

This bill updates Philadelphia's towing regulations to clarify requirements for using a rotational tow system and adds penalties for violating these rules.

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Council Votes to Overhaul Zoning Laws in Bid to Streamline Development Process Throughout City

This bill amends Philadelphia's Zoning and Planning Code to revise and clarify certain provisions and make technical changes.

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Philadelphia Employers Barred from Asking Job Applicants About Past Salary History

New Law Requires Philly Businesses to Pay Tipped Workers Minimum Wage of $15 by End of 2026, Boosting Thousands of Low-Income Employees' Earnings.

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Newsstands Expand Offerings in Philly with Bill Allowing Sales of Snacks Drinks and More

Philadelphia Businesses Could Be Forced to Pay $15 Minimum Wage After Council Approves Living Wage Measure for City Contractors; thousands of workers would see a significant pay bump. Philadelphia's Parking Regs Get Overhaul with New Bill Requiring Cashless Payment Systems at Meters; drivers will have new options, but some are concerned about the added fees and technology requirements.

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Council Votes to Toughen Benefits for Low-Wage Workers in New Wage Law Rewrite

Tens of thousands of low-wage workers could soon see their benefits boost under a rewritten wage law set for council approval. Thousands more would also get access to paid sick days under the proposed changes.

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Council Proposes Stricter Rules for Hoverboard Riders Under 12 as Safety Concerns Mount in City Streets

A new proposal would require parents of younger riders to face fines if their child is caught driving a hoverboard without proper safety gear in Philadelphia's streets, sparking debate over liability and responsibility. The city saw over 100 reported hoverboard injuries last year alone.

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City Contracts with Advocates to Represent Children in Courtroom Battles Daily

Low-income families on Philly's South Side could soon have a stronger voice in court thanks to a proposed law requiring city-funded lawyers for kids involved in contentious custody battles. The move aims to ensure vulnerable youth receive fair representation.

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