(1) General.

(a)   Districts.

(.1)   List.

The City's Industrial and Industrial Mixed-Use zoning districts are listed in Table 14-403-1, below. When this Zoning Code refers to "Industrial" zoning districts, it is referring to all of these districts as of the effective date of this Zoning Code.

Table 14-403-1: Industrial and Industrial Mixed-Use Districts

{For printable PDF version, click HERE}

Map Symbol	District Name	Previously Known As
IRMX	Industrial Residential Mixed-Use	NA (new district)
ICMX	Industrial Commercial Mixed-Use	L-4
		L-5
I-1	Light Industrial	L-1
		L-2
		L-3
I-2	Medium Industrial	G-1
		G-2
		Food Distribution Center
I-3	Heavy Industrial	LR
I-P	Port Industrial	Port Industrial

 

(.2)   Map Symbols.

(.a)   The Industrial district map symbols are intended to provide a general, relative indication of the range of uses and activities allowed within the respective districts. "I" is used to indicate a zoning district primarily intended to accommodate industrial uses. "IRMX" is used to indicate a zoning district that mixes industrial and other nonresidential use as well as residential development. "ICMX" is used to indicate a zoning district that mixes commercial and industrial.  298

(.b)   The numeral following the dash in the Industrial district map symbols is a relative indicator of the density/intensity or use, with a "1" indicating the lowest intensity/use option.

(b)   Purposes.

(.1)   Philadelphia's Industrial zoning districts are primarily intended to accommodate manufacturing, warehousing, wholesale, and industrial uses. The district regulations are intended to:

(.a)   promote the economic viability of utilities, construction, manufacturing, goods movement and warehousing, resource production, research and development, equipment and facility services, and other industrial uses;

(.b)   encourage employment growth; and

(.c)   limit the encroachment of unplanned residential and other non-industrial development within active industrial areas.

(.2)   In the event of a conflict between any provision of this § 14-403 (Industrial and Industrial Mixed-Use Districts) and any other provision of this Zoning Code, the latter shall govern.

(c)   Descriptions.

(.1)   IRMX, Industrial Residential Mixed-Use District.

The IRMX, Industrial Residential Mixed-Use district is primarily intended to accommodate a mix of very low-impact industrial uses, including artists and artisan industrial, and residential and neighborhood-oriented commercial uses.

(.2)   ICMX, Industrial Commercial Mixed-Use District. 299

The ICMX, Industrial Commercial Mixed-Use district is primarily intended to accommodate commercial and low-impact industrial uses. The district may serve as a buffer between Industrial districts and Commercial and Residential Districts.

(.3)   I-1, Light Industrial District.

The I-1, Light Industrial district is primarily intended to accommodate low-impact employment- generating land uses, such as light industrial, assembly, fabrication, offices, research and development, small-scale wholesaling, local distribution, and similar activities that generate few adverse operational impacts (e.g., noise, traffic).

(.4)   I-2, Medium Industrial District.

The I-2, Medium Industrial district is primarily intended to accommodate light industrial uses, moderate-impact uses, and employment activities such as manufacturing, distribution, processing, industrial parks, and other activities that may generate noise, odor, vibration, after hours activities, or traffic impacts well beyond the subject property lines.

(.5)   I-3, Heavy Industrial District.

The I-3, Heavy Industrial district is primarily intended to accommodate intensive, high-impact uses, including extractive industries, petroleum processing, storage, terminals, tanks, pipes, and other activities generating high levels of noise, odor, or vibration, and often requiring empty "slack" space within the site.

(.6)   I-P, Port Industrial District.

The I-P, Port Industrial district is primarily intended to accommodate marine-related industrial uses such as docks, wharves, piers, transit sheds, and related facilities used in connection with the transfer, storage-in-transit, and incidental processing of cargo from or to waterborne craft.

 

Notes

298	Amended, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021).
299	Amended, Bill No. 161003-A (approved May 8, 2017).

(2) Allowed Uses.

Principal uses are allowed in Industrial districts in accordance with Table 14-602-3. Uses classified as accessory uses are not regulated by the use table. Accessory uses are permitted in conjunction with allowed principal uses, provided they comply with all applicable regulations of § 14-603 (Use-Specific Standards) and § 14-604 (Accessory Uses and Structures).

(3) Dimensional Standards.

Dimensional standards that apply in Industrial districts are set forth in § 14-701 (Dimensional Standards).

(4) Multiple Principal Uses and Buildings.

Multiple principal uses and buildings are allowed on a single lot in all Industrial districts.

§ 14-404. SP-INS, Institutional (Special Purpose) District.

(1) Purpose.

The SP-INS, Institutional (Special Purpose) district is intended to encourage the development of institutional uses, commercially-related facilities to service the institutional complex and area, and certain other nonresidential uses in accordance with an approved master plan, subject to certain limitations on the type of use and certain requirements for total area, gross floor area, percentage of land coverage, setbacks, off-street parking, off-street loading spaces, and signs.

(2) Use Regulations.

Uses are allowed in SP-INS districts in accordance with Table 14-602-4. Multiple principal uses and principal structures are allowed on a single lot in the SP-INS district.

(3) Area Regulations.

(a)   District Area and Boundaries.

An SP-INS district must contain at least five acres of contiguous land area.

(b)   Gross Floor Area.

The gross floor area of all buildings may not exceed four hundred percent (400%) of the total area of the SP-INS district, exclusive of streets.

(c)   Occupied Area.

Not more than seventy percent (70%) of the SP-INS district area, exclusive of streets, may be occupied by buildings.

(d)   Yards. 300

No front, side, or rear yards are required in this district, provided that, if an SP-INS-zoned lot is adjacent to a lot in a Residential district, the minimum required front setback for a building or portion of a building located on the SP-INS lot shall be the minimum front setback required in the most restrictive adjacent Residential district.

 

Notes

300	Amended, Bill No. 130060 (approved April 2, 2013); amended, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021).

(4) Height and Massing Regulations.

(a)   There are no height or massing regulations in this district, except as provided in § 14-404(4)(b) below.

(b)   If an SP-INS-zoned lot is adjacent to a lot in a Residential district, the maximum permitted building height for a portion of a building in the SP-INS district located within 50 ft. of that residential lot line shall be 20 ft. greater than the maximum permitted building height in the most restrictive Residential district adjacent to that portion of the lot. 301

 

Notes

301	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013).