The official Site of the Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission

Timeline

There is much work ahead to prepare a new zoning code that is fair, sensible and smart.

The Charter Amendment creating the Commission requires an open and public process and contains a timeline for the following key action steps:

The Zoning Code Commission has completed the first phase of its work, culminating in the publication of Draft Recommendations for a New Zoning Code and a Change Memo detailing revisions to the Draft Recommendations. The second phase of work, writing the new code, has begun.

The Zoning Code Commission will release a draft of the administration and procedures section of the code for public review in February 2010.

Appointment of the Commission
  • Appointments are required 60 days after the election results are certified
Preparation of the Preliminary Report
  • The Commission must meet at least 10 times and all meetings are open to the public
  • The Commission must hold at least two public hearings
  • A preliminary report is due by June 30, 2010 (City Council may extend this date by a two-thirds vote)
Public Review & Council Action on the Preliminary Report
  • Within 45 days after the preliminary report is released, City Council must convene public hearings to review the recommendations
  • City Council may make written recommendations to the Commission within 30 days after these hearings
Issuance of a Final Report
  • The Commission will issue a final report within 30 days after receipt of Council’s recommendations
Council Action on the Final Report
  • City Council must approve, reject or table the Commission’s final report within 60 days after it is issued or by the fifth Council meeting after its release, whichever is later