Skip to content

Weekly recap

This week in Council

September 12 to September 18, 2025

8 introduced0 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

→

Newly introduced

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

Public Safety·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 16, 2025

Speed cameras allowed on designated state routes in Philadelphia to improve public safety

Residents who live near I-76 and I-95 can expect a new layer of traffic enforcement as city officials plan to install automated speed cameras on 13 high-crash corridors. Drivers caught speeding will face fines starting at $100.

250770

→
Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 30, 2025

Philadelphia Retailers Start Charging for Single-Use Plastic Bags Under New City Law Requirement

As of today, Philly shoppers will be hit with an extra cost when asking for plastic bags at checkout - a move aimed at reducing waste and encouraging reusable bags among residents.

250773

→
Environment·IntroducedIntroduced Sep 18, 2025

Philly Contractors Hired to Collect Garbage Must Use Recycling Facilities Not Incinerators Anymore

Philadelphia contractors hired by the city must now use recycling facilities instead of incinerators when disposing of collected trash. The change aims to reduce waste sent to incinerators under new city regulations.

250768

→
City Government·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 16, 2025

Landlords Must Give Tenants Voter Registration Info Upon Request Starting This Fall Season

Philadelphia tenants can expect a new tool for civic engagement as city council passes legislation making it mandatory for landlords to share voter registration information with residents upon request.

250774

→
Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 16, 2025

Kensington Avenue Business Gets Green Light to Expand onto Sidewalk for Outdoor Dining Area

Philadelphia's Restaurant Row gets a facelift as Council passes measure allowing 12 more restaurants on South Street to spill out onto sidewalks for expanded outdoor seating areas. A proposed ordinance would let local barbershops keep their doors open until midnight, giving late-night revelers and early risers alike access to haircuts after dark.

250772

→
Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Mar 12, 2026

Zoning Board Members in Line for Pay Hikes Under New Council Proposal

Philadelphia's zoning officials could see their pay nearly double under a new proposal that would raise salaries to $130,000 annually, sparking concerns about conflict of interest and developer influence.

250769

→
City Government·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 30, 2025

City Council Moves to Reverse Zoning Change for Island Avenue Commercial Strip Again

Small business owners on Island Avenue are breathing a sigh of relief as City Council votes to revisit contentious zoning changes that threatened the livelihoods of long-time merchants and residents.

250767

→
Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 11, 2025

Kensington Avenue Property Owners Get Green Light for Sidewalk Intruding Building Expansion

Property owners along Kensington Avenue will soon have more flexibility to expand their businesses, thanks to a new city council ordinance that greenlights the construction of "tuck-in" buildings that project onto adjacent sidewalks.

250771-A

→