(2) Applicability.

(a)   District Boundaries.

The /CTR Overlay district, beginning at its northwest boundary and proceeding east, is the area bounded by Poplar Street, 6th Street, West Girard Avenue, Frankford Avenue, North Delaware Avenue, Beach Street, East Columbia Avenue, the Delaware River, Reed Street, Front Street, Washington Avenue, Grays Ferry Avenue, Ellsworth Street, and the Schuylkill River, as shown on the /CTR Overlay district map for illustrative purposes only.

{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}

(b)   Area Boundaries.

The standards and regulations of this section apply to the areas within the /CTR Overlay district set forth as follows:

(.1)   Benjamin Franklin Parkway Area. 278

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway Area, beginning at its southwest boundary and proceeding east, is bounded by the Schuylkill River, John F. Kennedy Boulevard, North 23rd Street, Arch Street, North 22nd Street, Walden Street, North 21st Street, Cuthbert Street, North 19th Street, Arch Street, North 18th Street, Vine Street, Franklin Town Boulevard, North 17th Street, Brandywine Street, North 21st Street, Fairmount Avenue, North 22nd Street, and Aspen Street, following a line extending from the center line of Aspen Street west to the Schuylkill River.

(.2)   Broad Street Area.

The Broad Street Area consists of:

(.a)   South: Lots fronting on Broad Street between South Penn Square and Washington Avenue.

(.b)   North: Lots fronting on Broad Street between John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Poplar Street.

(.c)   Mid-North: Lots fronting on Broad Street between John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Spring Garden Street.

(.d)   Central: Lots fronting on Broad Street between South Street and Spring Garden Street.

(.e)   Mid-South: Lots zoned CMX-5 in the area bounded by Spruce Street, Juniper Street, Cypress Street, Watts Street, Pine Street and Broad Street. 279

(.3)   Center City Commercial Area.

The Center City Commercial Area consists of any lot fronting on or located within 200 ft. of any of the following streets:

(.a)   Chestnut Street between Front Street and the Schuylkill River.

(.b)   Walnut Street between Front Street and the Schuylkill River.

(.c)   Broad Street between South Penn Square and Washington Avenue.

(.d)   Market Street between Front Street and Fifth Street.

(.4)   City Hall Area.

The City Hall area is the area bounded by Arch Street, 16th Street, Chestnut Street, and 13th Street.

(.5)   City Hall Sign Area.

The City Hall sign area consists of City Hall, lots fronting on any street bounding City Hall, and lots fronting on Broad Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street.

(.6)   City Hall View Corridor, Northeast.

City Hall View Corridor, Northeast is the area not more than 260 ft. on either side of the line bearing north 59 degrees 51 minutes 20 seconds east, beginning at City Hall Tower, and within the area bounded by the south side of Spring Garden street to the north and the west side of 4th street to the east.

(.a)   Northeast 1: The portion of the City Hall View Corridor, Northeast within 100 ft. on either side of the line bearing north 59 degrees 51 minutes 20 seconds east as measured through the center line of City Hall Tower.

(.b)   Northeast 2: The portion of the City Hall View Corridor, Northeast that is more than 100 ft. from the line bearing north 59 degrees 51 minutes 20 seconds east as measured through the center line of City Hall Tower. 280

(.7)   City Hall View Corridor, Southeast.

City Hall View Corridor, Southeast is:

(.a)   Southeast 1: The area which lies between the line bearing south 54 degrees 45 minutes 29 seconds east and the line bearing south 53 degrees nine minutes 45 seconds east, and which is at least 7,165 ft. from that point on the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps designated as N240740, E2719920 on the Pennsylvania State Plane Coordinate South Zone Map.

(.b)   Southeast 2: The area which lies between the line bearing south 53 degrees nine minutes 45 seconds east and the line bearing south 48 degrees 49 minutes 59 seconds east, and which is at least 7,165 ft. from that point on the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps designated as N240740, E2719920 on the Pennsylvania State Plane Coordinate South Zone Map.

(.8)   Chestnut and Walnut Street Area.

The Chestnut and Walnut Street Area consists of lots fronting on Chestnut or Walnut Street between Front Street and the Schuylkill River and is further subdelineated as follows:

(.a)   East: The portion of the Chestnut and Walnut Street Area that is east of 7th Street.

(.b)   West: The portion of the Chestnut and Walnut Street Area that is west of 7th Street.

(.9)   Chinatown Area.

The Chinatown area is the area bounded by Vine Street, the west edge of the Center City Commuter Connection Tunnel east of Ninth Street, Arch Street, and 11th Street; and lots with frontage on Camac Street between Vine Street and Race Street. The Chinatown area is further subdelineated as follows:

(.a)   North: The portion of the Chinatown Area that is north of the rear lot lines of lots fronting on the north side of Arch Street between 9th Street and 10th Street, and north of Appletree Street between 10th Street and 11th Street.

(.b)   South: The portion of the Chinatown Area that is bounded by Race Street, the westerly edge of the Center City Commuter Connection Tunnel east of 9th Street, Arch Street, and 11th Street.

(.10)   Convention Center Area.

The Convention Center Area consists of lots fronting on Broad Street between Race Street and Arch Street.

(.11)   Independence Hall Area.

The Independence Hall Area consists of Independence Mall and Independence National Historic Park, as defined by the U.S. National Park Service and shown on the following map for illustrative purposes only, and lots adjacent to the boundaries of the Independence Mall and Independence National Historic Park.

{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}

(.12)   John F. Kennedy Boulevard Area.

The John F. Kennedy Boulevard Area consists of lots fronting on John F. Kennedy Boulevard between 15th Street and the Schuylkill River.

(.13)   Locust Street Area.

The Locust Street Area consists of lots fronting on Locust Street between Front Street and the Schuylkill River.

(.14)   Logan Square Area.

The Logan Square area consists of Logan Square and lots fronting on any street bounding Logan Square.

(.15)   Market Street Area.

The Market Street Area consists of lots fronting on Market Street between Front Street and the Schuylkill River and is further subdelineated as follows:

(.a)   East: The portion of the Market Street Area between Front Street and 5th Street.

(.b)   West: The portion of the Market Street Area between 15th Street and the Schuylkill River. 281

(.16)   Minimum Building Height Area.

The Minimum Building Height Area consists of lots on the south side of any of the following streets:

(.a)   John F. Kennedy Boulevard between 15th Street and the Schuylkill River.

(.b)   Market Street between Front Street and the Schuylkill River.

(.c)   Sansom Street between Front Street and the Schuylkill River, except within 130 ft. east of the east side of Broad Street or within 130 ft. west of the west side of Broad Street.

(.d)   Locust Street between Front Street and the Schuylkill River, except within 100 ft. east of the east side of Broad Street or within 230 ft. west of the west side of Broad Street. 282

(.e)   Spruce Street between Front Street and the Schuylkill River, except within 100 ft. east of the east side of Broad Street or within 230 ft. west of the west side of Broad Street.

(.17)   Old City Residential Area.

The Old City Residential area is bounded by Spring Garden Street, 2nd Street, Callowhill Street, 6th Street, Vine Street, 5th Street, Independence Mall East, Walnut Street, Front Street, a line extending from the north street line of Market Street to the Delaware Expressway, the Delaware Expressway, Wood Street and Christopher Columbus Boulevard. The Old City Residential area is further subdelineated as follows:  283

(.a)   Central: the area bounded by Wood Street, 6th Street, Vine Street, the east street line of 5th Street, the north property line of all properties fronting on the north side of Market Street, and the Delaware Expressway.

(.b)   Bridge Approach: the area bounded by 3rd Street, New Street, the west side of I-95, and Race Street. 284

(.c)   Core: the area bounded by the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the Delaware Expressway, Race Street, Front Street, Walnut Street, Independence Mall East, and 5th Street. 284.1

(.18)   Parking Garage Ground Floor Use Control Area.

The Parking Garage Ground Floor Use Control Area consists of (a) any lot with frontage on Arch Street, John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Market Street, Chestnut Street, Sansom Street, Walnut Street, Locust Street, Spruce Street, Pine Street, Lombard Street, or South Street between Front Street and the Schuylkill River; and (b) any lot with frontage on Broad Street between South Penn Square and Washington Avenue.

(.19)   Parkway Buffer Area.  284.2

The Parkway Buffer area is:

(.a)   Northwest: any lot where any portion of the lot is located within the boundary lines of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (as indicated on the City Plan) or Logan Square and within 200 ft. of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (as indicated on the City Plan) or Logan Square, between Fairmount Park and 18th Street.

(.b)   Southeast: any lot where any portion of the lot is located within the boundary lines of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (as indicated on the City Plan) and within 200 ft. of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (as indicated on the City Plan) between Broad Street and 18th Street.

(.20)   Residential Parking Control Area.

The Residential Parking Control Area is the portion of the /CTR Overlay district that is south of Chestnut Street.

(.21)   Rittenhouse Square.

The Rittenhouse Square area is the area within 425 ft. of the street frontages of Rittenhouse Square. 285

(.22)   South Street/Head House Square Area.

The South Street/Head House Square area consists of all lots within the area depicted on the South Street/Head House Square Area map and is further subdelineated as follows:

(.a)   Central: The portion of South Street/Head House Square Area that fronts on South Street.

{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}

(.23)   Southwark National Historic District.

The Southwark National Historic District boundaries are: beginning at the southwest corner of Front and Lombard Streets and continuing south along the west side of Front Street to Catherine Street; then east on Catherine Street to the rear property lines of the houses on the east side of Front Street (from Catherine Street to Queen Street); then south along these property lines to the rear property lines of the houses on the north side of Queen Street; then extending along these lines east to Delaware Avenue; then south along Delaware Avenue to Washington Avenue; then west along Washington Avenue to the Northwest corner of 5th Street and Washington Avenue; then north along the west side of 5th Street (including all those buildings located on the west side of 5th Street) to the southwest corner of 5th Street and Lombard Street; then east along the south of Lombard Street (including all those buildings or the south side of Lombard Street) to the southwest corner of Front and Lombard Streets, the place of beginning, being that area which is designated as a historical area on the National Register of Historic Places on the 19th of May, 1972.

(.24)   Spruce Street Area.

The Spruce Street Area consists of lots fronting on Spruce Street between Front Street and the Schuylkill River and is further subdelineated as follows:

(.a)   East: The portion of the Spruce Street Area between Front Street and Broad Street.

(.25)   Vine Street Area.

The Vine Street Area is bounded by Spring Garden Street (extended); the Schuylkill River; Race Street (extended); and the Delaware River.

(.26)   Washington Square.

The Washington Square area is the area within 150 ft. of the street frontages of Washington Square.

(.27)   South Street West. 286

The South Street West area is bounded by South Street, 15th Street, Kater Street, and 16th Street.

(.28)   Market Street East Retail Area. 287

The Market Street East Retail Area is:

(.a)   North: The area bounded by Market Street, 8th Street, Filbert Street, and 11th Street.

(.b)   South: The area bounded by Market Street, 12th Street, Ludlow Street (extended), and 11th Street.

(.29)   Center City Commercial District Control Area. 288

The Center City Commercial District Control Area shall include all lots within the area bounded by the south side of Spring Garden Street (excluding lots with street frontages on the south side of Spring Garden Street from Broad Street to the Schuylkill River), the Delaware River, both sides of South Street (extended), and the Schuylkill River.

(.30)   Center City Residential District Control Area. 289

The Center City Residential District Control Area shall include all lots within the area bounded by the south side of Spring Garden Street (excluding lots with street frontages on the south side of Spring Garden Street from Broad Street to the Schuylkill River), the Delaware River, Washington Avenue (extended), and the Schuylkill River.

(.31)   Rittenhouse Square Residential Area. 290

The Rittenhouse Square Residential Area includes all properties on both sides of the street known as Rittenhouse Square (located between Spruce Street and Locust Street) between 20th street and 21st street.

(.32)   Society Hill Area. 291

The Society Hill Area is bounded by Walnut Street, 8th Street, Lombard Street, and the Delaware River. The Society Hill Area is further subdelineated as follows:

(.a)   Northeast: The area bounded by Walnut Street, 4th Street, Willings Alley, 3rd Street, Thomas Paine Place, Dock Street and 2nd Street.

(.33)   West Chestnut Street Area. 291.1

The West Chestnut Street Area shall consist of all lots with at least 80 ft. of street frontage on the south side of Chestnut Street and street frontage on the north side of Ionic Street, beginning at the corner of 20th Street and following a line running westwardly along Chestnut Street a distance of 205 ft.

(.34)   Mid-Walnut Street Area. 291.2

The Mid-Walnut Street Area shall apply to all properties zoned CMX-5 that front on the north side of Walnut Street (extending west 135 feet from the northwest corner curb line of 11th and Walnut Streets) and front on the west side of 11th Street (extending north 70 feet from the northwest corner curb line of 11th and Walnut Streets).

(c)   Additional Regulations Elsewhere.

The bulk and massing controls of § 14-701(5) (CMX-4 and CMX-5 Bulk and Massing Controls) may apply to certain CMX-4 and CMX-5-zoned lots located in the /CTR Overlay district.

(d)   /CTR Summary Table.

Table 14-502-1, below, summarizes the standards and regulations of this § 14-502 (/CTR, Center City Overlay District). In the event of conflict between the provisions of Table 14-502-1 and the text of this Zoning Code, the text shall govern. 292

Table 14-502-1: /CTR Summary Table 293

{For printable PDF version, click HERE}

Area	Height Controls	Setback/ Build-To Controls	Supplemental Use Controls	Parking & Loading Controls	Sign Controls	Special Review Controls	Bulk and Massing Controls
Benjamin Franklin Parkway Area	§ 14-502(3)(d)			§ 14-502(6)(a)			§ 14-502(9)(e)
Broad Street Area
South			§ 14-502(5)	§ 14-502(6)(a); § 14-502(6)(f)		§ 14-502(8)(a)
North			§ 14-502(5)
Mid-North	§ 14-502(3)(k)			§ 14-502(6)(b)
Central		§ 14-502(4)(a)		§ 14-502(6)(e)
Mid-South			§ 14-502(5)	§ 14-502(6)(i)
Center City Commercial Area					§ 14-502(7)(b)
Center City Commercial District Control Area	§ 14-502(3)(l)		§ 14-502(5)				§ 14-502(9)(c)
Center City Residential District Control Area		§ 14-502(4)(c)
City Hall Area	§ 14-502(3)(a)
City Hall Sign Area					§ 14-502(7)(k)
City Hall View Corridor, Northeast	§ 14-502(3)(b)
City Hall View Corridor, Southeast	§ 14-502(3)(c)
Chestnut and Walnut Street Area	§ 14-502(3)(k)	§ 14-502(4)(a)		§ 14-502(6)(a); § 14-502(6)(f)		§ 14-502(8)(a)
East			§ 14-502(5)
West			§ 14-502(5)
Chinatown Area			§ 14-502(5)	§ 14-502(6)(f)
North	§ 14-502(3)(i)
South					§ 14-502(7)(i)
Convention Center Area					§ 14-502(7)(a)
Independence Hall Area	§ 14-502(3)(g)	§ 14-502(4)(b)			§ 14-502(7)(g)	§ 14-502(8)(b)
John F. Kennedy Boulevard Area		§ 14-502(4)(a)
Locust Street Area		§ 14-502(4)(a)		§ 14-502(6)(a)
Logan Square Area					§ 14-502(7)(l)
Market Street Area				§ 14-502(6)(a); § 14-502(6)(e)
East			§ 14-502(5)			§ 14-502(8)(a)
West		§ 14-502(4)(a)
Market Street East Retail Area
North					§ 14-502(7)(m)
South					§ 14-502(7)(n)
Mid-Walnut Street Area	§ 14-502(3)(o)			§ 14-502(6)(m)			§ 14-502(9)(g)
Minimum Building Height Area	§ 14-502(3)(j)
Old City Residential Area			§ 14-502(5)	§ 14-502(6)(f)
Central	§ 14-502(3)(h)
Bridge Approach							§ 14-502(9)(a)
Core				§ 14-502(6)(n)
Parking Garage Ground Floor Use Control Area				§ 14-502(6)(d)
Parkway Buffer				§ 14-502(6)(f)	§ 14-502(7)(c)	§ 14-502(8)(b)
Northwest	§ 14-502(3)(e)
Southeast	§ 14-502(3)(f)
Residential Parking Control Area				§ 14-502(6)(c)
Rittenhouse Square					§ 14-502(7)(j)
Society Hill	§ 14-502(3)		§ 14-502(5)	§ 14-502(6)	§ 14-502(7)	§ 14-502(8)
South Street/Head House Square			§ 14-502(5)		294
Central		§ 14-502(4)(a)		§ 14-502(6)(a)
South Street West				§ 14-502(6)(h)			§ 14-502(9)(b)
Southwark National Historic District					§ 14-502(7)(h)
Spruce Street Area		§ 14-502(4)(a)
East				§ 14-502(6)(a)
Vine Street Area					§ 14-502(7)(e)
Washington Square					§ 14-502(7)(f)
West Chestnut Street Area				§ 14-502(6)(l)		§ 14-502(8)(a)	§ 14-502(9)(f)

 

 

Notes

278	Amended, Bill No. 140009 (approved March 31, 2014).
279	Added, Bill No. 160096 (approved May 10, 2016).
280	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013).
281	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013).
282	Amended, Bill No. 120774-A (approved January 14, 2013).
283	Amended, Bill No. 160526 (approved June 28, 2016); amended, Bill No. 210829 (approved March 23, 2022).
284	Added, Bill No. 130255-A (approved June 25, 2013).
284.1	Added, Bill No. 210829 (approved March 23, 2022).
284.2	Amended, Bill No. 220418 (approved November 30, 2022); amended, Bill No. 230770 (approved December 20, 2023).
285	Amended, Bill No. 170498 (approved August 1, 2017).
286	Added, Bill No. 140857 (approved December 19, 2014).
287	Added, Bill No. 150379 (approved June 18, 2015); amended, Bill No. 180911 (approved January 3, 2019).
288	Added, Bill No. 140519-AAA (approved October 27, 2015). Enrolled bill numbered this as (.28); renumbered by Code editor.
289	Added, Bill No. 140519-AAA (approved October 27, 2015). Enrolled bill numbered this as (.29); renumbered by Code editor.
290	Added, Bill No. 160073 (became law May 19, 2016).
291	Added, Bill No. 160718 (became law May 4, 2017); amended, Bill No. 200094 (became law October 22, 2020).
291.1	Added, Bill No. 200348 (approved May 11, 2021).
291.2	Added, Bill No. 210362 (approved June 23, 2021).
292	Amended, Bill No. 150766 (approved December 8, 2015).
293	Amended, Bill No. 130255-A (approved June 25, 2013); amended, Bill No. 140857 (approved December 19, 2014); amended, Bill No. 150264 (approved June 16, 2015); amended, Bill No. 150379 (approved June 18, 2015); amended, Bill No. 140519-AAA (approved October 27, 2015); amended, Bill No. 160096 (approved May 10, 2016); amended, Bill No. 160718 (became law May 4, 2017); amended, Bill No. 180911 (approved January 3, 2019); amended, Bill No. 200094 (became law October 22, 2020); amended, Bill No. 210075 (approved March 29, 2021); amended, Bill No. 200348 (approved May 11, 2021); amended, Bill No. 210362 (approved June 23, 2021); amended, Bill No. 210829 (approved March 23, 2022).
294	Table referenced § 14-502(7)(d), but that provision was repealed by Bill No. 120430-A; deleted by Code editor.