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Weekly recap

This week in Council

September 19 to September 25, 2025

12 introduced1 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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'.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Became law

Newly introduced

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

Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 11, 2025

City Moves Forward with Ambitious Plan to Expand Green Space Along Popular Waterways

The City of Philadelphia has authorized the Commissioner of Public Property to buy land along the Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek for public recreational purposes. The land acquisition is aimed at expanding green space in areas with popular waterways.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 30, 2025

City Council Proposes Zoning Overhaul for Northwest Philly Neighborhood Boundaries

This bill changes the zoning designations of certain areas in Philadelphia, bounded by Ardleigh Street, East Sedgwick Street, and the SEPTA Chestnut Hill East Line.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 30, 2025

City Council Pushes Developers to Prioritize Affordable Units in New Philly Condo Projects

Developers of new Philly condo projects will soon be forced to set aside a larger percentage of units as affordable housing, under new regulations aimed at increasing accessibility for low-income residents. Council Members Unveil Plan to Ban Facial Recognition Tech on City Property, Raising Concerns about Public Safety and Surveillance.

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Zoning & Development·IntroducedIntroduced Sep 25, 2025

Council Introduces Bill to Acquire Land for Public Parks Between Vine Street and Fairmount Avenue

City Council bill would allow the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire land in Fishtown for public parks, expanding recreational space in the neighborhood. The proposed development would be bounded by Vine Street, Fairmount Avenue, 8th Street, and 12th Street.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 11, 2025

Pharmacies Get Green Light to Stay Open Late to Fill Critical Medical Needs

Philadelphia's 70,000 low-income residents with chronic illnesses will soon have a more reliable way to get life-saving medications after midnight, thanks to extended pharmacy hours in the city.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 11, 2025

New Zoning District Created to Balance University Growth with Community Needs

Philadelphia's university neighborhoods are getting a new zoning overlay district to balance community needs with university growth. The University-Community Overlay District will create specific rules for development in areas surrounding colleges.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 30, 2025

Philadelphia Council Tightens Zoning Strings on 4th District Neighborhood Properties

This bill clarifies allowed uses for properties in Philadelphia's Fourth District Overlay District, making changes to how these properties can be used under certain terms and conditions.

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Public Safety·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 30, 2025

Philadelphia Bans Sale of Drug Paraphernalia in Industrial Areas

This bill prohibits selling drug paraphernalia in certain industrial areas of Philadelphia.

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Community & Neighborhoods·Signed Into LawSigned Dec 11, 2025

South Philadelphia Property Owners Permitted to Build Overhanging Structures with Certain Restrictions

Washington Avenue merchants are celebrating after City Council voted to relax parking space restrictions along the busy corridor, but some residents are warning of increased congestion and safety risks for pedestrians.

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Zoning & Development·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 30, 2025

City Council Moves to Simplify Complex Zoning Rules for Homeowners and Developers Alike

Homeowners in rowhouses and two-family homes may soon be exempt from restrictive zoning regulations, while developers could face fewer hurdles to build new townhomes under a proposed rewrite of the city's building codes.

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Business & Commerce·Signed Into LawSigned May 7, 2026

Fairmount Avenue Restaurant Wins Approval to Expand Outdoor Seating Permits

Restaurant at 1811 Fairmount Ave wins approval for two-table sidewalk café with eight seats, encroaching five feet onto Shirley Street. Councilmember Young sponsored the permit allowing MQZ LLC's outdoor expansion.

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City Government·Signed Into LawSigned Oct 30, 2025

Philadelphia's Zoning and Planning Laws Simplified with Technical Amendments Signed into Law

This bill makes technical amendments to Philadelphia's zoning and planning laws, clarifying existing provisions and removing expired language.

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