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PHILADELPHIA HOME RULE CHARTER
THE PHILADELPHIA CODE
TITLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
TITLE 2. CITY-COUNTY CONSOLIDATION
TITLE 3. AIR MANAGEMENT CODE
TITLE 4. THE PHILADELPHIA BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND OCCUPANCY CODE
TITLE 4.1. ELECTRICAL CODE
TITLE 4.2. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
TITLE 5. FIRE PREVENTION CODE
TITLE 6. HEALTH CODE
TITLE 7. HOUSING CODE
TITLE 8. PLUMBING CODE
TITLE 9. REGULATION OF BUSINESSES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
TITLE 10. REGULATION OF INDIVIDUAL CONDUCT AND ACTIVITY
TITLE 11. STREETS
TITLE 12. TRAFFIC CODE
CHAPTER 12-100. GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 12-200. ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER 12-300. SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS UPON USE OF VEHICLES AROUND WHEELCHAIR LIFT EQUIPPED VEHICLES
CHAPTER 12-400. RIGHT-OF-WAY REGULATIONS AND PENALTIES
CHAPTER 12-500. TURNING REGULATIONS AND PENALTIES
CHAPTER 12-600. STREET DIRECTION REGULATIONS AND PENALTIES
CHAPTER 12-700. BICYCLE LANES
CHAPTER 12-800. BICYCLE REGULATIONS AND PENALTIES
CHAPTER 12-900. PARKING REGULATIONS AND PENALTIES
CHAPTER 12-1000. PARKING METER REGULATIONS AND PENALTIES
CHAPTER 12-1100. MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS AND PENALTIES
§ 12-1101. Load Restrictions Upon Vehicles Using Certain Streets.
§ 12-1102. Designation of Restricted Street.
§ 12-1103. Use of Certain Streets by Commercial Vehicles.
§ 12-1104. Restrictions Upon Use of Streets by Certain Vehicles.
§ 12-1105. Railroad Trains and Street Cars Not to Block Streets.
§ 12-1106. Operating a Vehicle or Street Car Through Funeral or Other Procession.
§ 12-1107. Participants in a Procession.
§ 12-1108. Funeral Processions To Be Identified.
§ 12-1109. Permits Required for Parades, Processions and Assemblages.
§ 12-1110. Vehicles Shall Not Be Driven on a Sidewalk.
§ 12-1111. Restricted Access Highways.
§ 12-1112. Passing Street Car on Left.
§ 12-1113. Street Car Stops.
§ 12-1114. Unlawful Riding on Vehicles.
§ 12-1115. Riding on Motorcycles or Motor-Driven Cycles.
§ 12-1116. Clinging to Moving Vehicles.
§ 12-1117. Physically Handicapped and Disabled or Severely Disabled Veteran Parking.
§ 12-1118. Soliciting Rides or Business.
§ 12-1119. Soliciting the Watching of Cars.
§ 12-1120. Abandoned Vehicles.
§ 12-1121. Electrical Work Not To Be Performed Without Approval.
§ 12-1122. Use of Audio Headphones While Operating Motor Vehicles.
§ 12-1123. Audible Motor Vehicle Alarms.
§ 12-1124. Use of Certain Streets by Mobile and Motor Homes.
§ 12-1125. Operation of Motor Vehicles on a Portion of South Street Prohibited During Certain Hours.
§ 12-1126. Sound Reproduction Devices.
§ 12-1127. Excessive Idling of and Noise from Motor Vehicles.
§ 12-1128. Commercial Vehicles to Display Name, Address and Telephone Number of Owner.
§ 12-1129. Penalty.
§ 12-1130. Vehicle Seizures.
§ 12-1131. Electric Vehicle Parking.
§ 12-1132. Prohibiting Use of Mobile Telephones by Persons Operating Vehicles.
§ 12-1133. Off-Road Vehicles.
§ 12-1134. Opening and Closing Vehicle Doors.
§ 12-1135. Prohibited Parking or Maintaining of Semitrailers and Truck Tractors at Residential Properties.
§ 12-1136. Nuisance Vehicles.
§ 12-1137. License Plate Flipping Device - Unlawful Conduct.
CHAPTER 12-1200. TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES
CHAPTER 12-1300. ENFORCEMENT AND OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 12-1400. PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE FOR VIOLATIONS
CHAPTER 12-1500. EFFECT OF TITLE
CHAPTER 12-1600. SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS UPON USE OF VEHICLES IN AREAS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE FAIRMOUNT PARK COMMISSION
CHAPTER 12-1700. ACHIEVING DRIVING EQUALITY
CHAPTERS 12-1800 TO 12-2300. RESERVED
CHAPTER 12-2400. TOWING AND IMMOBILIZING OF PARKED OR ABANDONED VEHICLES
CHAPTER 12-2500. SNOW EMERGENCIES
CHAPTER 12-2600. CHESTNUT STREET TRANSITWAY
CHAPTER 12-2700. PERMIT PARKING DISTRICTS
CHAPTER 12-2800. ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION OF PARKING VIOLATIONS
CHAPTER 12-2900. CONTRACTOR PARKING
CHAPTER 12-3000. USE OF AN AUTOMATED RED LIGHT ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM TO PREVENT RED LIGHT VIOLATIONS
CHAPTER 12-3100. SELLING, LEASING, OR RESERVING OF PARKING SPACES ON PUBLIC STREETS PROHIBITED
CHAPTER 12-3200. FEE FOR LOCAL USE
CHAPTER 12-3300. SELF-PROPELLED MOBILITY DEVICES
CHAPTER 12-3400. USE OF AN AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM TO IMPROVE SAFETY
CHAPTER 12-3500. PERSONAL DELIVERY DEVICES
CHAPTER 12-3600. CAMERA-BASED ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM FOR PARKING, STOPPING, AND STANDING VIOLATIONS THAT INTERFERE WITH MASS TRANSIT
TITLE 13. WATER AND SEWER
TITLE 14. ZONING AND PLANNING
TITLE 15. PARKS AND RECREATION
TITLE 16. PUBLIC PROPERTY
TITLE 17. CONTRACTS AND PROCUREMENT
TITLE 18. COMMERCE AND AVIATION
TITLE 19. FINANCE, TAXES AND COLLECTIONS
TITLE 20. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
TITLE 21. MISCELLANEOUS
TITLE 22. PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT CODE
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§ 12-1124. Use of Certain Streets by Mobile and Motor Homes. 170
   (1)   The parking of Mobile and Motor Homes as defined in The Vehicle Code of the Commonwealth shall be restricted as provided by ordinance of City Council.

 

Notes

170
   Added, 1984 Ordinances, p. 717.
§ 12-1125. Operation of Motor Vehicles on a Portion of South Street Prohibited During Certain Hours.  171
   (1)   The operation of motor vehicles on South street between Broad street and Front street is prohibited from midnight to 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights except for the period from December 1st to March 1st. The Streets Department and the Police Department are authorized to enforce these provisions by appropriate regulations and procedures.

 

Notes

171
   Added, 1991 Ordinances, p. 33.
§ 12-1126. Sound Reproduction Devices. 172
   (1)   No person, while driving, parked or in control of any vehicle, shall operate a radio, tape player or any other type of sound reproduction device, in any area within the City at a sound level which produces a sound audible at a distance of greater than twenty-five feet from the location of such radio, tape player or other sound reproduction device, unless such device is being used in connection with the holding of a public assembly for which a permit or license has been issued by the City.

 

Notes

172
   Added, 1993 Ordinances, p. 131; amended, 1993 Ordinances, p. 790.
§ 12-1127. Excessive Idling of and Noise from Motor Vehicles. 173
   (1)   No person shall cause or permit the engine of a motor vehicle to idle for longer than three minutes while parking, stopping or standing, except this prohibition shall not apply to:
      (a)   any vehicle if the ambient outside temperature is less than twenty degrees Fahrenheit (20°F);
      (b)   an Authorized Emergency Vehicle, including Public Utility vehicles engaged in emergency repair work and maintenance;
      (c)   vehicles engaged in road repairs performed by or on behalf of a governmental entity;
      (d)   vehicles which are being serviced; for which idling is part of that service;
      (e)   vehicles that must idle to operate auxiliary equipment, including, but not limited to, pumps, compressors and refrigeration units, but excluding vehicle heaters and air conditioners;
      (f)   vehicles enroute to a destination but stopped by traffic congestion; or
      (g)   a bus or truck idling at any terminal point along an established route (such a bus or truck is subject to the provisions of subsection 12-1127(2)).
   (2)   No person shall cause or permit the engine of a bus or truck to idle for longer than five (5) minutes while parking, stopping or standing at any terminal point along an established route, except that this prohibition shall not apply to:
      (a)   any bus or truck when the ambient temperature is forty degrees Fahrenheit (40°F) or less;
      (b)   a bus or truck enroute to a destination but stopped by traffic congestion; or
      (c)   a bus that pursuant to law must maintain a specific temperature for passenger comfort, provided that such a bus may idle in excess of five (5) minutes only to the minimum extent necessary to comply with such law.
   (3)   No person, while driving, parked or in control of a motor vehicle within any of the areas listed below, shall cause or allow noise, produced in any manner or form, to come from the motor vehicle at a sound level that is plainly audible at a distance greater than one hundred feet from the vehicle, unless such noise is being created in connection with the holding of a public assembly, parade or procession for which a permit or license has been issued by the City. This prohibition shall apply within the following areas: 174
      (a)   South Street District, which for purposes of this Section is defined as the area bounded by Lombard street on the north, Front street on the east, Bainbridge street on the south, and Eleventh street on the west.
      (b)   The Delaware River Entertainment District, which for purposes of this Section is defined as the area bounded by Berks street on the north, the Delaware River on the east, Oregon avenue on the south, and Second street on the west.
   (4)   Unless the violation is caused by a Nuisance Vehicle and is subject to penalties pursuant to Section 12-1136, any person who violates subsection 12-1127(3), after having received notice of a prior violation, shall be guilty of a separate offense of Repeat Violation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 12-1128, the penalty for committing the offense of Repeat Violation shall be a fine of not more than three hundred dollars ($300), or imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, or both. A person shall be guilty of a Repeat Violation regardless of whether the second or subsequent violation occurs before or after a judicial finding of a first or previous violation. Each violation, after the first, shall constitute a separate Repeat Violation offense. 175

 

Notes

173
   Added, 1993 Ordinances, p. 1196; amended, Bill No. 960747 (approved April 30, 1997).
174
   Added, Bill No. 960747 (approved April 30, 1997); amended, Bill No. 230415-A (approved September 13, 2023).
175
   Added, Bill No. 960747 (approved April 30, 1997); amended, Bill No. 230415-A (approved September 13, 2023).
§ 12-1128. Commercial Vehicles to Display Name, Address and Telephone Number of Owner. 176
   (1)   The term Commercial Vehicle shall mean any vehicle used, constructed or equipped for the transportation of goods, wares, merchandise, tools or equipment in trade, commerce, repair or service work.
   (2)   Every commercial vehicle operating on the streets of the City shall at all times display permanently on both sides of the commercial vehicle in letters and numerals not less than three inches in height the name and address of the owner, and the type of business for which the vehicle is used. The name, address and telephone number of the owner and the type of business for which the Commercial Vehicle is used shall be printed on the vehicle or contained on signs affixed to the vehicle. 177
      (a)   These provisions shall not apply to the following vehicles:
         (.1)   Public Utility vehicles which have a clearly identifiable prominently displayed company logo.
         (.2)   Commercial vehicles which have markings that comply with the Federal Motor Carrier regulations, 49 C.F.R. § 390.21.

 

Notes

176
   Added, 1994 Ordinances, p. 748. Enrolled bill numbered this as Section 12-1126 in error; renumbered by Code editor. Section 3 of the Ordinance provides that it takes effect in 90 days.
177
   Amended, Bill No. 1194 (approved December 28, 1995), 1995 Ordinances, p. 1413.
§ 12-1129. Penalty. 178
   (1)   Any person violating the provisions of Sections 12-1101, 12-1114, 12-1115, 12-1116, 12-1119, 12-1121, and 12-1122 shall, upon summary conviction before a magistrate, pay a fine of fifty dollars ($50) together with costs of prosecution; except that persons violating Section 12-1118 shall pay a fine of three dollars ($3.00) together with costs of prosecution; except further, that persons violating any other provision of this Chapter (other than Sections 12-1113(3), 12-1120, 12-1123, 12-1124, 12-1126, 12-1127 and 12-1128) shall pay a fine of ten dollars ($10) together with costs of prosecution.
   (2)   Any person violating any of the provisions of Sections 12-1113(3), 12-1120, 12-1123, 12-1124, 12-1126, 12-1127(1), 12-1127(2), 12-1127(3) and 12-1128 shall be liable for payment of fines, costs and additional fees prescribed and assessed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 12-2800 of this Title.

 

Notes

178
   Amended, 1966 Ordinances, p. 1165; amended, 1976 Ordinances, p. 879; amended, 1982 Ordinances, p. 1656; amended, 1989 Ordinances, p. 72; renumbered, 1991 Ordinances, p. 33; amended and renumbered, 1993 Ordinances, p. 790; amended and renumbered, 1993 Ordinances, p. 1196; amended and renumbered, 1994 Ordinances, p. 748; amended, Bill No. 518 (approved March 29, 1995), 1995 Ordinances, p. 156; amended, Bill No. 758 (approved July 24, 1995), 1995 Ordinances, p. 1081; amended, Bill No. 960747 (approved April 30, 1997). Bill No. 960747 numbered this as Section 12-1128; renumbered by Code editor.
§ 12-1130. Vehicle Seizures. 179
   (1)   Any police officer who discovers a vehicle upon any street of the City which is not registered as required under 75 Pa. C.S. § 1301, or which does not display a registration plate as required by 75 Pa. C.S. § 1332, or whose driver is not licensed as required by 75 Pa. C.S. § 1501 or which is not covered by financial responsibility as required by 75 Pa. C.S. § 1786, may seize or otherwise immobilize the vehicle to render it inoperable.
   (2)   Except as otherwise set forth in this Section, the procedures set forth in Chapter 12-2400 shall apply to the seizure or immobilization of a vehicle pursuant to this Section.
   (3)   When an impounded vehicle is returned to its owner, or any person on behalf of the owner, such person shall sign a receipt for the vehicle after furnishing satisfactory evidence of the person's identity, ownership of the vehicle (or agency on behalf of the owner), valid driver's license, registration and valid financial responsibility.

 

Notes

179
   Added, Bill No. 970 (approved May 1, 1995), 1995 Ordinances, p. 531. Enrolled bill numbered this as Section 12-1126; renumbered by Code editor. Section 3 of the Ordinance provides that this Section takes effect 90 days after the effective date of any legislation amending the Vehicle Code to permit the City to seize vehicles. See Act of July 2, 1996, P.L. 535, No. 93, § 5, 75 Pa. C.S. § 6309.2, as amended.
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