Skip to content

Weekly recap

This week in Council

October 25 to October 31, 2024

10 introduced4 became law0 failed or vetoed

Coming up: public hearings

Committees hear testimony before voting. Open any bill and tap the bell to get a reminder the day before.

Monday, November 9, 2:00 PM · Committee on Streets and Services

Transportation·In CommitteeHearing Nov 9

City Council Introduces Bill to Convert Dupont Street to Two-Way Traffic from Baker to Smick.

City Council votes to make Dupont Street a two-way street from Baker Street to Smick Street, starting from the westernmost portion of Baker Street.

250099

→
Transportation·In CommitteeHearing Nov 9

Eighth Councilmanic district imposes time limits on parking of large vehicles on public streets.

Eighth Councilmanic district restricts parking of large vehicles, including boats and RVs, to no more than 3 hours on public streets unless posted otherwise, citing public safety concerns.

260765

→
Zoning & Development·In CommitteeHearing Nov 9

Drexel Institute of Technology seeks permission to install street tree planters along 3001 Chestnut Street.

Drexel Institute of Technology is seeking permission to install 28 street tree planters along its property line at 3001 Chestnut Street, with 4 planters encroaching onto Ludlow Street.

260761

→
Environment·In CommitteeHearing Nov 9

Homeowners exempt from fines for missed trash collection days when city fails to collect on time

Homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief if the city misses trash collection days, as a new bill would exempt them from fines for missed pickups. The proposed change would cancel fines and provide refunds for payments already made.

260698

→
Transportation·In CommitteeHearing Nov 9

City to vacate Hartwell Lane and reserve water main and public utility right of way

Hartwell Lane is set to be vacated and a right of way reserved for water main and public utility purposes, with the city to accept a grant under certain terms and conditions.

260801

→
Zoning & Development·In CommitteeHearing Nov 9

Property owner seeks permission to install 17 concrete planters along Walnut Street sidewalks

Property owner seeks permission to install 17 concrete planters along Walnut Street sidewalks, including 7 on the east curbline of South 19th Street. The planters will be located near the property line of 1849 Walnut Street.

260797

→
Community & Neighborhoods·In CommitteeHearing Nov 9

Civic Center Boulevard to be Renamed Roberts Way at Two Intersections Near Osler Circle

Osler Circle near Civic Center Boulevard and Curie Boulevard is set to be renamed Roberts Way at two intersections, according to a bill sponsored by Councilmembers Gauthier and Landau.

260831

→
Zoning & Development·In CommitteeHearing Nov 9

South Philly Italian Kitchen owner seeks permit for sidewalk café at 2655 South 18th Street location.

South Philly Italian Kitchen owner seeks permit for sidewalk café at 2655 South 18th Street location, with plans for 12 tables and 36 seats, pending compliance with city regulations.

260830

→
Transportation·In CommitteeHearing Nov 9

Boats and large vehicles can be towed or immobilized after 30 days of street parking.

Philadelphia's streets will soon have new towing rules, allowing large vehicles, boats, and vending carts to be towed or immobilized after 30 days of street parking, as Councilmember Squilla introduces new regulations.

260854

→

Tuesday, November 17, 10:00 AM · Committee on Rules

Zoning & Development·In Committee

Philadelphia Code Amended to Impose Use Restrictions Within Fifth District Overlay District

Philadelphia's zoning regulations are getting a makeover in the Fifth District Overlay District, imposing new use restrictions on specific areas. Certain types of buildings and activities will be allowed in designated areas.

260764

→
Business & Commerce·In Committee

Philadelphia Business Hours Restricted in Fifth District Neighborhoods

Philadelphia businesses in the Fifth District and surrounding areas will be restricted from opening between 11pm and 6am due to an amended ordinance. New streets affected by the restriction include N. 29th Street from W. Dauphin to W. Huntingdon.

260697

→
Environment·In Committee

Philadelphia Tightens Rules on Removing Heritage Trees from City Streets

Philadelphia's rules for removing heritage trees from city streets are about to get stricter, making it harder to remove these trees without meeting specific conditions or replacing them. Heritage trees must now be documented in a landscape plan and can only be removed with special permission.

260689

→
Zoning & Development·In Committee

Philadelphia's Zoning Laws to Get Overhaul of Retail Sales Use Categories Definitions

Philadelphia's zoning laws are getting an update, with changes to how grocery stores and pharmacies are classified under the retail sales use category definitions. The changes will be reflected in use tables throughout the city's zoning code.

260688

→
Zoning & Development·Introduced

Zoning Designations Changed in Area Bounded by Lehigh Avenue and Aramingo Avenue Streets

Councilmember Squilla's zoning bill changes designations in a neighborhood bounded by Lehigh Avenue, Belgrade Street, Aramingo Avenue, and Miller Street, altering uses and development in the area as shown on Maps 'A' and 'B'.

260800

→
Zoning & Development·In Committee

Zoning designations changing in area bounded by Rubicam Street, Ashmead Street, Wakefield Street, and Bringhurst Street.

Zoning changes are coming to a specific area of Philadelphia bounded by Rubicam Street, Ashmead Street, Wakefield Street, and Bringhurst Street, as authorized by Councilmember Bass.

260855

→
Zoning & Development·In Committee

Retailers must meet specific standards and be located in certain districts for tobacco sales.

Philadelphia's zoning code is set to change, requiring tobacco retailers to meet specific standards and be located in certain districts. The new rules aim to regulate tobacco sales throughout the city.

260851

→
Zoning & Development·In Committee

City Council Expands Center City Business Uses in Old City Residential Area, Core

Businesses like restaurants and tattoo parlors will now be allowed in Old City's residential area without special permission, as long as they meet certain conditions.

260896

→
Business & Commerce·In Committee

Old City Special Services District Approves 7-Year Plan for Business Improvements and Services

Councilmember Squilla's bill approves a 7-year plan for the Old City Special Services District, outlining estimated costs and assessment methods for business improvements and services in the area.

260895

→

Became law

Newly introduced

Most bills go to a committee next, which must hold a public hearing before Council can vote.

Public Safety·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 5, 2024

Speed Cameras Installed on State Route 13 in Philadelphia

Speed Cameras to Roll Out on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia as Council Passes Measure to Install Automated Enforcement Along High-Risk Stretch of State Route 1; Fines Start at $100 for Speeders.

241030

→
Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 12, 2024

City Purchases 20 Acres Along Schuylkill River for New Parks and Bike Path Extension

The City is buying land along the Schuylkill River for parks and transportation projects.

241029

→
Community & Neighborhoods·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 5, 2024

Philadelphia's Permit Parking Districts Undergo Changes to Boundaries and Requirements

This bill makes changes to permit parking districts in Philadelphia, adjusting boundaries and creating new areas where residents will need a permit to park.

241028

→
Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 5, 2024

Civic Center Property Owners Get Reprieve from Deadline to Upgrade Drainage Systems

Property owners along the 15th Street corridor are breathing a temporary sigh of relief as city council votes to delay enforcement of new drainage standards, giving them more time to upgrade aging infrastructure.

241026

→
Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 12, 2024

City Secures Office Space Expansion Next to Municipal Building Headquarters

Philadelphia's City Hall is set for a physical expansion as city officials seek to occupy nearly 10,000 square feet of adjacent office space in a long-term lease deal with the Philly Muni Authority. The new digs will house over 100 municipal employees currently working in cramped quarters within City Hall itself.

241031

→
Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 5, 2024

Company to Build Over City Property at 4116-18 Chester Ave for Private Use

This bill allows a private company to install and maintain an encroachment (like a small structure or wall) on their property at 4116-18 Chester Ave in Philadelphia.

241027

→
Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 12, 2024

Philadelphia Housing Authority Gets Access to Small West Philly Land Parcel

This bill allows the Philadelphia Housing Authority to acquire a small parcel of land in West Philly for possible future development.

241025

→
Budget & Finance·Signed Into LawSigned Jun 12, 2025

Citibank and Republic First Bank Stripped of City Treasurer's Deposit Privileges

A proposed law would boot two major banks from the city's roster of authorized depositories, potentially leaving millions in municipal funds scattered elsewhere if a new bank is not quickly added to the list.

241024

→
Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 19, 2024

City Secures Leased Office Space on Walnut Street to Expand Municipal Services Operations

The City is leasing a portion of a commercial property at 2401 Walnut Street for city use.

241022

→
Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 19, 2024

City Locks onto New Office Space at Vacant South Broad Street Building Amid Downtown Revitalization Push

A vacant office space on South Broad Street may soon get a new tenant as the city eyes leasing part of the property to house various departments, potentially displacing a local non-profit that has been operating there for years.

241023

→