This week in Council

Drexel University Given Approval to Build Steps and Planters on JFK Boulevard

Drexel University is allowed to build and maintain steps and planters at their location on JFK Blvd in Philadelphia.

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City Signs Sublease Deal for South Philly Office Space Used by Multiple Municipal Call Centers

The City Council authorized a sublease agreement between the city and the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to use office space at 2800 S.

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Philadelphia Imposes $5 Fee on Non-Exempt Vehicles to Fund Street Maintenance and Safety Improvements

Low-Income Seniors Face Eviction Crisis as City Council Weighs Measure to Raise Rent Control Threshold, Capping Annual Increases at 3% A proposal to increase rent control limits would shield more low-income seniors from massive rent hikes, but landlords argue it would drive up costs and stifle development.

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New Residential Buildings in Philadelphia Must Install Food Waste Grinders Under New Law

Residents of Philadelphia's newly constructed homes will be forced to adopt a high-tech approach to reducing their trash starting next week, as a new law mandating food waste grinders takes effect.

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City Inspectors Gain Access to Vacant Properties as Council Passes New Maintenance Code Reform

This bill requires vacant property owners to allow City inspections upon reasonable notice, with certain terms and conditions.

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Construction Underway on Sewers for East Gravers Lane and Abington Avenue Neighborhoods to Address Unsanitary Conditions

Filth and flooding are taking a toll on residents along East Gravers Lane and Abington Avenue, but a long-awaited sewer system upgrade is finally underway to bring relief to the beleaguered neighborhoods.

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Parking Regulations Set for Philadelphia Neighborhood Along Major Thoroughfares

This bill establishes parking regulations in specific areas of Philadelphia, including time limits and days of enforcement.

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South Philly Neighborhoods Set to Undergo Zoning Changes Along Famed Bustling Streets

A proposed zoning overhaul is sparking debate in South Philly, where a historic stretch of businesses along Passyunk Avenue could see significant changes as owners adapt to new parking requirements and density limits.

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City Council Advances Plan to Redraw Zoning Maps in Bustling Callowhill Neighborhood

This bill changes the zoning designation for a specific area of Philadelphia bounded by Spring Garden Street, 9th Street, Callowhill Street, Franklin Street, Vine Street Expressway, Vine Street, and Broad Street.

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Council introduced 2-hour parking restrictions on select Philadelphia streets.

This bill establishes two-hour parking regulations on specific streets in Philadelphia, including Bainbridge, 18th, Carlisle, and Carpenter Streets.

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New Parking Rules Go Into Effect In Several South Philly Neighborhoods Today

Parking rules change in several South Philly neighborhoods today, with new two-hour limits on streets including Catharine Street and Broad Street.

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Council Okays 2 Million Dollar Transfer To Boost Energy Efficiency in City's Affordable Housing Units

Low-income Philadelphians could see lower utility bills as city council votes to pour $2 million into energy-efficient retrofits for 1,000 at-risk homes. The program will prioritize properties in disrepair, keeping families safe from mold, lead, and heat-related hazards.

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City Invests Millions in Upgrades for Public Schools and Properties Across Philadelphia

City Council approves millions in upgrades for public schools and city-owned properties across Philadelphia. The bill allows for improvements to properties with a useful life of at least five years owned by the city, school district, or related agencies.

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Council proposed Zoning Amendment for Rittenhouse Square Residential Area with Certain Terms and Conditions

Philadelphia Homeowners Face Hefty Fines for Unpermitted Airbnb Rentals Under Proposed Council Measure A measure before City Council would impose fines of up to $10,000 on homeowners who rent out their properties without permission, hitting a major cash cow in the city's short-term rental market hard.

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City Mandates Stricter Rules for Home Inspectors in Philly, Citing Need for Standardized Practices

Philadelphia's Housing Code Overhaul Seeks to Protect Tenants from Slumlords; Proposed law increases fines for landlords who fail to register rental properties, aiming to root out unscrupulous operators.

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Permit Holders Must Notify Neighbors Before Issuing As-Of-Right Building Permits in Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Philadelphia homeowners who plan to build anew could soon have to get permission from their neighbors, under a new proposal that aims to curb neighborhood disruptions and preserve character.

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City Takes Charge in Water Main Breaks, Assigning Duties to Water Department, Shielding Homeowners' Rights

New Protections for Small Businesses: Council Bill Would Extend Tax Breaks to Microenterprises in Eligible Neighborhoods, Helping Owners Like Maria Rodriguez Keep Her Family-Owned Bodega Afloat.

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Public Businesses Must Display Gender-Neutral Signage for Single-Occupancy Bathrooms Under New Law

Starting Friday, Philadelphia's 3,000 plus small businesses must post "All Restrooms" or "Gender Neutral Bathroom" signs in their lone unisex stalls as part of a new city ordinance aimed at promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all customers.

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Mobile Food Vendors Cleared to Operate on Wissahickon Avenue After Long Stance Against Sidewalk Sales

This bill allows mobile food vendors to operate on the west side of the 5000 block of Wissahickon Avenue under certain terms and conditions.

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Minors Prohibited from Soliciting Contributions on City Roadways, Tougher Penalties for Permitters

Under proposed new rules, parents and guardians of minors caught panhandling on Philly roads could face fines up to $1,000, while the minors themselves might get counseling instead of arrest.

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Council sought to increase penalties for damaged or unused newsstand boxes on city streets.

Newsstands face tougher penalties: Publishers who put up damaged or unused boxes may now face fines of up to $500 under new rules taking effect today.

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Council proposed five-patch parking regulations for Philadelphia streets.

Parking restrictions are set for five Philadelphia neighborhoods under a new bill that establishes two-hour limits from 8am to 6:30pm, Monday through Friday, with some exceptions. Neighboring residents and visitors will be affected by the new regulations in St. Albans, Packer Avenue, Emily Street, Hicks Street, and Carlisle Street areas.

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City Council OKs Stop Signs on Accident-Prone Millbrook and Kipling Streets Corner

This bill authorizes the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of Millbrook Road and Kipling Lane to improve traffic safety.

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City Council Approves All-Way Stop Signs for Hazardous Claridge and Faunce Intersection

This bill installs all-way stop signs at the intersection of Claridge Street and Faunce Street to improve traffic safety.

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Claridge Street Drivers Face New Stop Signs as City Installs All-Way Safety Measures Across Neighborhood Intersection

Philadelphia drivers will soon need to hit the brakes at every corner of a busy neighborhood intersection, with city officials installing all-way stop signs on Claridge Street to prevent accidents and near-misses. The change affects hundreds of commuters who travel through the area daily, including students and workers heading to nearby schools and offices.

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Terrace Street Parking Limit Reduced to 315 Feet North of Dawson Street

This bill revises parking restrictions on Terrace Street between Dawson Street and a point 315 feet north of it.

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Trucks Banned from Parking on Fox Street in Philadelphia Neighborhood

Resident Complaints Spark Change: Philadelphia City Council Passes Measure Banning Trucks from Parking on Bustling Roosevelt Boulevard Blocks, Aimed at Easing Traffic Congestion and Improving Safety for Pedestrians.

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Newsboxes Banned at Busy Intersection Near Drexel University Campus

Drexel students and neighbors breathe a sigh of relief as City Council votes to clear clutter from iconic corner, ending decades-long debate over unsightly newsstands that hog sidewalk space.

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Council Proposed Plan for 'Urban Topiary' on N 3rd Street in Philadelphia's Elfreth's Alley Neighborhood

Jeffery Tubbs has been authorized by City Council to build and maintain a honeysuckle-covered "urban topiary" on North Third Street in Philadelphia. The structure will require permits from various city departments before construction can begin.

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Newsstand Owner Gets Greenlight to Install Conduits for Electricity and Phone Service at Busy Broad and Vine Intersection

This bill allows a newsstand owner to install conduits for electricity and phone service on the southwest corner of Broad and Vine street.

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City Council Approves Oxford Street Area Redistricting to Update Street Names and Boundaries

Neighborhood residents will soon see changes to the streets they've grown up with as Council votes to update Oxford Street's borders, renaming several side streets to ease confusion among locals and visitors alike. The redesign aims to simplify navigation for emergency services.

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City Hall Mandates Recording of Survey Plans and Plats Amid Push for Transparency in Development Process

Long-sought changes to Philly's development rules could boost transparency as city planners unveil plan to record survey plans and building blueprints in a public database, sparking hope for more accessible information on new construction projects.

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