Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is zoning?
Zoning seeks to protect public health, safety and welfare by regulating the use of land and controlling the type, size and height of buildings. Some goals of early zoning codes were to prevent overcrowding and limit incompatible uses. Goals of modern zoning codes include transit-oriented development, pedestrian-friendly commercial corridors, and preservation of the historic fabric of neighborhoods.
Q. What is the Zoning Code?
The zoning code is the law that regulates land use, and the height and size (or bulk) of structures. The code contains land use classifications, such as residential, commercial and industrial; and, zoning controls that govern the size and height of structures. The Philadelphia Zoning Code is available online here.
Q. When was Philadelphia's Zoning Code written?
Philadelphia’s first zoning code was enacted in 1933. In the post WWII era of the early 1950s, changes in lifestyles and housing preferences combined with the increasing use and reliance on the automobile, the 1933 code no longer met the City’s needs and development trends. So, in the mid 1950s, the Mayor established a task force to make recommendations to modernize the Code. And, a new zoning code took effect in 1962. That was the last update.
Q. What are the Zoning Maps?
Every parcel of land in the City has a zoning classification such as residential, commercial, and industrial. Presently, there are 55 different zoning classifications. The Zoning Maps depict the zoning classification for each parcel. You can view the City’s Zoning Maps at http://citymaps.phila.gov/zoning/.
Q. How and when were Philadelphia's Zoning Maps created?
When the City’s first zoning code was adopted in 1933, a zoning map was also created of the entire City. The original zoning maps for Philadelphia were a project of the Depression-era Works Progress Administration, and were created based on a land use survey of existing conditions. Thus, rather than providing a comprehensive plan to guide development, the City’s original zoning maps simply reflected the current land use patterns that had evolved.
Q. What is the process for changing the Zoning Maps?
In brief, to change the zoning map an ordinance must be approved by City Council and signed by the Mayor. However, there is a community-based process that the Planning Commission has developed over the years to insure neighborhood involvement in any remapping effort. For more information on remapping, review the Zoning Remapping Primer on this site, or read “Zoning Remapping in Philadelphia,” a publication of the City Planning Commission, at http://www.philaplanning.org/plans/zoning.pdf.
Q. Why do we need to reform the Zoning Code?
Similar to Philadelphia’s experience in the early 1950’s that led to the first major revision of the zoning code, the City has experienced significant change in the past 50 years. Population changes, a shift from heavy manufacturing to high tech companies, a residential boom, and changing lifestyles make the current code out-dated. In addition, piecemeal amendments over the years have resulted in a code that is overly complex, burdensome and unpredictable. It’s time for another comprehensive revision.
Q. What is happening with zoning reform in other cities?
According to a 1999 report prepared by the Metropolitan Planning Council, 22 of the 50 largest cities had undertaken zoning reform in the past five years. Philadelphia is clearly behind the curve as our city and neighborhoods struggle with a complex, confusing, and out-of-date zoning code. To learn more about zoning reform efforts in other cities go to the Issues & Information section on this site.
Q. What is being proposed for Philadelphia?
City Council unanimously approved a proposed amendment to the Home Rule Charter that calls for the establishment of a Zoning Code Commission, and the voters overwhelmingly approved this referendum in the May 2007 Primary. Therefore, the Zoning Code Commission will undertake a comprehensive analysis of the zoning code and submit a report to the Mayor and City Council with their recommendations on zoning reform.
Q. Who will be on the Zoning Code Commission?
The Commission is comprised of 31 members: three City officials with responsibility for zoning matters; three members of City Council; five representatives of various Chambers of Commerce; ten persons with experience in land use matters, five appointed by the Mayor and five by the Council President; and ten community leaders, one appointed by each district councilmember. For more details see the Zoning Code Commission section on this site.
Q. What is the timeline for zoning reform?
Within 60 days after certification of the election results of the May 2007 primary, the Zoning Code Commission members will be appointed. The Commission should issue a preliminary report by June 30, 2008. Over the next six months, City Council will hold hearings on the preliminary report, and the Commission will prepare and submit a final report for Council to approve or disapprove. Thus, the City could have a new zoning code by January 2009.
Q. What is the role of citizens in this process?
The charter amendment envisions a very public process so that citizens can stay informed and participate fully in the process. The meetings of the Zoning Code Commission are open to the public, and the Commission must meet at least ten times during the year. The Commission must hold at least two public hearings. Also, City Council must hold public hearings on the preliminary report, and Council’s action on the final report will be a public vote.
Q. Will zoning reform affect the Zoning Board of Adjustment?
No, the zoning code reform effort will not change the role or procedures surrounding the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Q. Will zoning reform change the variance process?
No, zoning code reform would not change the well-established procedures for variances. Property owners will still have to post the hearing notice and show a hardship that justifies the granting of a variance. How a new code could impact on the number and frequency of variance requests is impossible to predict at this stage.
Q. What will happen to my neighborhood? Will it be re-mapped?
The goal of zoning reform is to fix what is broken with the code, and to preserve what is best about our City and our neighborhoods. Changes to the zoning maps will only occur where needed, and will be done using the community-driven process described above. (For more detailed information about remapping see the Zoning Remapping Primer.)
Q. How can I stay informed?
Continue to monitor zoningmatters.org for updates. Let your district councilmember know that zoning matters to you and your neighborhood, and request that they keep you informed. Follow the work of the Zoning Code Commission, attend their public meetings, and stay involved in the process.