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This category includes uses involving the sale, lease, or rental of new or used goods to the ultimate consumer within an enclosed structure, unless otherwise specified, provided the sale, lease, or rental payment transaction may be conducted prior to receipt by the ultimate consumer at the retail sales establishment. The retail sales subcategories are
(a) Adult-Oriented Merchandise.
Any retail sales use or establishment having as twenty percent (20%) or more of its floor area or its stock-in-trade:
(.1) Books, magazines, videos, CD-ROMs, or other periodicals or visual production materials that are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing, or related to "specified sexual activities", or "specified anatomical areas"; or
(.2) Any devices, commonly known as sex toys, designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs.
(b) Building Supplies and Equipment.
Uses that sell or otherwise provide goods to repair, maintain, or visually enhance a structure or premises, including, but not limited to, hardware stores, paint and wallpaper supply stores, and garden supply stores.
Uses that sell or otherwise provide furniture, appliances, equipment, and similar consumer goods, large and small, functional and decorative, for use, entertainment, comfort, or aesthetics. This use subcategory shall include establishments that sell cigarettes and other lawful smoking tobacco products. The following are consumer goods specific use types:
Any retail that offers for sale or display of more than five percent of any display or window area of paraphernalia commonly related to the use of any drug or narcotic. Drug Paraphernalia sales are permitted as an accessory use within the Medical Marijuana Dispensaries. Paraphernalia commonly related to the use of any drug or narcotic includes, but is not limited to:
(.a) Bongs;
(.b) Dab rigs;
(.c) Decarboxylation machines;
(.d) Glass pipe (bowl);
(.e) Grinders;
(.f) Herbal infusers, electric;
(.g) Methoscope (love rose);
(.h) Pipe connections and hoses;
(.i) Pipe screens;
(.j) Tabletop vapes; or
(.k) Water pipes (bubblers).
(.2) Gun Shop.
Any retail sales business engaged in selling, leasing, purchasing, or lending of guns, firearms, or ammunition.
A person who holds a permit issued by the Department of Health of the Commonwealth pursuant to the Act of April 17, 2016, P.L. 84, No. 16, to dispense medical marijuana.
Uses that sell or otherwise provide food or beverages for off-premise consumption, including grocery stores and similar uses that provide incidental and accessory food and beverage service as part of their primary retail sales business. The following is a food, beverage, and groceries specific use type:
(.1) Farmer's Market.
An area for the sale of food crops and non-food crops (e.g., flowers) directly to consumers within an enclosed structure or outdoors on a lot.
(e) Pets and Pet Supplies.
Uses that sell or otherwise provide household pets and pet supplies.
(f) Sundries, Pharmaceuticals, and Convenience Sales.
Uses that sell or otherwise provide goods for personal grooming and for the day-to-day maintenance of personal health and well-being.
Any uses that qualify as Sundries, Pharmaceuticals, and Convenience Sales, excluding those carried out on a premises with respect to which a permit to conduct a pharmacy has been issued by the State Board of Pharmacy.
Uses that sell or otherwise provide goods to cover, protect, or visually enhance the human form. This use subcategory shall include establishments that sell jewelry, watches, and other related goods and may provide repair, custom fabrication, and cleaning, provided that such activity is clearly incidental to the principal use of the establishment.
Notes
| 609 | |
| 610 | Amended, Bill No. 130804 (approved December 18, 2013). |
| 611 | |
| 612 | Added, Bill No. 160919 (approved December 20, 2016). |
| 613 | |
| 613.1 | Added, Bill No. 241054 (approved January 15, 2025). |
| 614 | Amended, Bill No. 130804 (approved December 18, 2013). |
This category includes uses that provide for consumer or business services, for the repair and maintenance of a wide variety of products, and for entertainment. The commercial services subcategories are:
(a) Adult-Oriented Service.
Any of the following:
(.1) Adult Cabaret.
An adult club, eating and drinking establishment, theater, hall or similar place that may or may not serve alcoholic beverages and features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators or similar entertainers exhibiting specified anatomical areas or performing specified sexual activities, or dancing, performing or acting in a lewd, sexually erotic, exciting, or stimulating manner for patrons or viewers.
(.2) Adult Modeling or Photography Studio.
An establishment having twenty percent (20%) or more of its floor area or business distinguished or characterized by its emphasis on the drawing or photographing of persons exhibiting "specified anatomical areas" or performing "specified sexual activities".
(.3) Adult Motion Picture Theater.
An enclosed building primarily used for presenting material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons.
(.4) Adult Spa or Health Club.
A spa or health club having twenty percent (20%) or more of its floor area or business distinguished or characterized by its emphasis on persons exhibiting "specified anatomical areas" or performing "specified sexual activities".
(.5) Adult Massage Shop.
An establishment having a source of income or compensation derived from the practice of any method of pressure on or friction against, or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating, or stimulation of, external parts of the human body with the hands or with the aid of any mechanical, electric apparatus or appliances with or without such supplementary aids as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powders, creams, lotion, ointment, or other similar preparations commonly used in the practice of massage, under such circumstances that it is reasonably expected that the person to whom the treatment is provided or some third person on his or her behalf will pay money or give any other consideration or gratuity. The term "massage shop" does not include any establishment operated by a medical practitioner, professional physical therapist, or massage therapist licensed by the state.
Uses that provide for the treatment, care, maintenance, or keeping of animals. The following is an animal services specific use type:
(.1) Boarding and Other Services.
Boarding facilities for horses and similar animals, including public and commercial stables as defined by Section 10-100 616 of The Philadelphia Code (Animals); animal shelters; kennel services for dogs, cats and small animals, including boarding kennels, and pet resorts/hotels; dog training centers; animal hospitals; household pet crematory services; or taxidermy services.
Uses that provide gathering places for participant or spectator recreation, entertainment, or other assembly activities. Assembly and entertainment uses may provide incidental food or beverage service for on- or off-premise consumption. Smoking or vaping of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or other substances is not permitted in assembly and entertainment uses. The following are assembly and entertainment specific use types:
A licensed gaming facility as authorized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pursuant to 4 Pa. C.S. Part II, the "Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act". A "casino" may also be referred to as a "licensed gaming facility".
An establishment where 50 or more people congregate primarily for entertainment purposes. Entertainment purposes include but are not limited to: dancing in temporary or permanent standing areas free of tables, chairs, or other obstructions to allow for dancing; live or recorded music; bottle service that has the sale of any full bottle of liquor or spirits for on-premises consumption; or promoted events that may or may not require an admission fee or minimum purchase.
This use subcategory does not include dance studios and related establishments providing instructional dance classes; performances incidental to restaurant, hotel, or retail uses; and Event Assembly Facilities.
An enclosed building where patrons gather to view motion pictures. This specific use type shall not include adult motion picture theaters.
An establishment that accommodates private functions and that may or may not include kitchen facilities. The principal purpose of Event Assembly Facilities is to serve food and beverages to groups that have reserved the space in advance for civic, educational, political, religious, or social activities that may include banquets, meetings, weddings, and other similar functions, for the individual or group and any guests to which the general public is not admitted. This does not include events for which a general admission fee or other monetary donations for entrance are collected except for bona fide non-profit organizations and political campaigns using the facility for fundraising purposes.
(d) Building Services.
Uses that provide maintenance and repair services for all structural and mechanical elements of structures, as well as the exterior spaces of a premise. Typical uses include janitorial, landscape maintenance, exterminator, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, window cleaning, and similar services.
(e) Business Support.
Uses that provide personnel services, printing, copying, photographic services, or communication services to businesses or consumers. Typical uses include employment agencies, copy and print shops, telephone answering services, and photo developing labs.
Uses that prepare or serve food or beverages for on- or off-premise consumption. Establishments that meet the definition of a use classified in the eating and drinking establishments use subcategory and that also include occasional live entertainment may be classified as eating and drinking establishment uses, provided that any establishment that meets the definition of a nightclub and public entertainment venue use must be classified and regulated as a nightclub and public entertainment venue (See § 14-601(7)(c)(.2) (Nightclubs and Public Entertainment Venues)). The following are eating and drinking establishment specific use types:
An eating and drinking establishment that does not meet the definition of a take-out restaurant (see § 14-601(7)(f)(.2)) or smoking lounge (see § 14-601(7)(f)(.4)), that offers seating and carry out food and beverage service, and that is primarily engaged in the sale of prepared food, non- alcoholic beverages, cold refreshments, or frozen desserts. Prepared food shops include establishments known as sandwich shops, delis, coffee shops, and ice cream shops. A prepared food shop has all of the following characteristics:
(.a) Includes customer seating on the lot. The number of seats shall be greater than 3 but shall not exceed 20 seats; and
(.b) Does not utilize commercial cooking appliances that have requirements for exhausting air contaminants.
An eating and drinking establishment that does not meet the definition of a smoking lounge (see § 14-601(7)(f)(.4)) and that has any one or more of the following characteristics:
(.a) a drive-through or walk-up window;
(.b) a service counter where all customers pay for their ordered items before consumption and all food and beverages are served on disposable ware for consumption, except that cafeterias primarily engaged in serving food and beverages for on-premise consumption are considered sit-down restaurants if take-out service is clearly incidental to the principal use;
(.c) fewer than 4 seats; or 625
(.d) no public restrooms.
An eating and drinking establishment that does not meet the definition of a take-out restaurant (see § 14-601(7)(f)(.2)), prepared food shop (see § 14-601(7)(f)(.1)), or smoking lounge (see § 14-601(7)(f)(.4)), including establishments that primarily engage in cooking food on the premises and selling it to customers primarily for on-premise consumption.
An eating and drinking establishment where the smoking of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or other substances is permitted. Examples of smoking lounges include, but are not limited to, cigar lounges, hookah lounges, vape lounges, tobacco clubs, tobacco bars, etc.
(g) Financial Services.
Uses related to the exchange, lending, borrowing, and safe-keeping of money. The following specific use type is sometimes regulated differently than the financial services use subcategory:
(.1) Personal Credit Establishment.
Any one or more of the following:
(.a) Check Cashing Establishment.
An establishment that (1) is not a bank or financial institution subject to federal or state regulation; and (2) that charges either a flat fee or a fee based on a percentage of the face value of a check to be cashed or processed by such establishment; and (3) provides such services to the public.
(.b) Pawnshop.
An establishment that is engaged to any extent in any of the following business or activities:
(i) the lending of money on the deposit or pledge of personal property, other than chosen in action, securities or written evidence of indebtedness;
(ii) the purchase of personal property either from an individual, another pawn business or any other business with an expressed or implied agreement or understanding to offer the property for sale to the public, and if that sale is unsuccessful, then to sell it back to the previous owner at a subsequent time at a stipulated price or negotiated price;
(iii) the purchase of precious metals with the intent to melt down, provided that such activity is not clearly incidental to the principal use of the establishment; or
(iv) the lending of money upon personal property, goods, wares, or merchandise pledge, stored or deposited as collateral security.
(.c) Payday Lender.
Any person or entity that is substantially in the business of negotiating, arranging, aiding, or assisting a consumer in procuring payday loans.
(h) Funeral and Mortuary Services.
Uses that provide services related to the death of a human, including funeral homes, mortuaries, crematoriums, and similar uses.
Uses that provide maintenance, cleaning, and repair services for consumer goods. Typical uses include dry cleaning shops, tailors, shoe repair, vacuum repair shops, electronics repair shops, and similar establishments.
(j) Marina.
Facilities that provide moorage, launching, storage, supplies, and a variety of services for recreational and commercial watercraft. Marinas are differentiated from docks and moorages by their larger scale, the provision of significant landside services, or the use of a solid breakwater.
(k) Parking, Non-Accessory.
Parking that is not provided to comply with minimum off-street parking requirements and that is not provided exclusively to serve occupants of or visitors to a particular use, but rather is available to the public at-large. A parking facility that provides both accessory and non-accessory parking shall be classified as non-accessory parking if it leases twenty-five percent (25%) or more of its spaces to non-occupants of or persons other than visitors to a particular use. The following are non- accessory parking specific use types:
(.1) Surface Parking, Non-Accessory.
A non-accessory parking lot.
(.2) Structured Parking, Non-Accessory.
A non-accessory parking garage.
Uses that provide a variety of services associated with grooming, instruction, and the maintenance of fitness, health, and well-being. The following are personal services specific use types:
Provision of any of the following procedures: body piercing, tattooing, branding, or scarification. This definition does not include practices that are considered medical procedures by the Pennsylvania Medical Board.
(.2) Fortune Telling Service.
An establishment engaged in or that professes to foretell future or past events or that is engaged in the practice of palmistry (the art or practice of reading a person's character or future from the lines on the palms of hands).
(m) Radio, Television, and Recording Services.
Uses that provide for audio or video production, recording, or broadcasting.
Uses that provide temporary lodging for fewer than 30 days where rents are charged by the day or by the week or portion thereof and may also provide food or entertainment primarily to visitors and tourists.
Uses that prepare food only to be sold or served off-site, provided the use does not meet the definition of an industrial use.
Notes
| 615 | Amended, Bill No. 120917-AA (approved April 2, 2013). |
| 616 | Editor's note: Defined terms are located in Section 10-101. |
| 617 | |
| 618 | |
| 619 | Amended, Bill No. 230764 (approved December 20, 2023). |
| 620 | Added, Bill No. 130804 (approved December 18, 2013). |
| 621 | Added, Bill No. 230764 (approved December 20, 2023). |
| 622 | Amended, Bill No. 230764 (approved December 20, 2023). |
| 623 | |
| 624 | Amended, Bill No. 190601-A (approved December 30, 2019). |
| 625 | Amended, Bill No. 180346-A (approved July 18, 2018). |
| 626 | Amended, Bill No. 190601-A (approved December 30, 2019). |
| 627 | Added, Bill No. 190601-A (approved December 30, 2019). |
| 628 | |
| 629 | Amended, Bill No. 130764 (approved December 18, 2013). |
| 630 | Amended, Bill No. 180346-A (approved July 18, 2018). |
| 631 | |
| 632 | Added, Bill No. 130804 (approved December 18, 2013). |
This category includes uses that provide for the sale, rental, maintenance, or repair of new or used vehicles and equipment. The vehicle and vehicular equipment sales and services subcategories are:
Uses, excluding vehicle paint finishing shops, that repair, install, or maintain the mechanical components or the bodies of large trucks, mass transit vehicles, large construction or agricultural equipment, aircraft, or commercial boats. Truck stops and associated fueling facilities are included in this commercial vehicle repair and maintenance use category.
(b) Commercial Vehicle Sales and Rentals.
Uses that provide for the sale or rental of large trucks, mass transit vehicles, large construction or agricultural equipment, aircraft, commercial boats, or other similar vehicles.
Uses engaged in retail sales of personal or commercial vehicle fuels.
(d) Personal Vehicle Repair and Maintenance.
Uses, excluding vehicle paint finishing shops, that repair, install, or maintain the mechanical components or the bodies of autos, small trucks or vans, motorcycles, motor homes, or recreational vehicles including recreational boats or that wash, clean, or otherwise protect the exterior or interior surfaces of these vehicles.
Uses that provide for the sale or rental of new or used autos, small trucks or vans, trailers, motorcycles, motor homes, or recreational vehicles including recreational boats. Typical examples include automobile dealers, auto malls, car rental agencies, and moving equipment rental establishments.
(f) Vehicle Equipment and Supplies Sales and Rentals.
Uses related to the sale, lease, or rental of new or used parts, tools, or supplies for the purpose of repairing or maintaining vehicles, including distribution of products from the same premises that sells, leases, or rents vehicles.
(g) Vehicle Paint Finishing Shop.
Uses that apply paint to the exterior or interior surfaces of vehicles by spraying, dipping, flow- coating, or other similar means.
Notes
| 633 | |
| 634 | Amended, Bill No. 150264 (approved June 16, 2015). |
| 635 |
This category includes uses that provide and distribute goods in large quantities, principally to retail sales, commercial services, or industrial establishments. Long-term and short-term storage of supplies, equipment, commercial goods, recyclable materials and personal items is included. The wholesale, distribution, storage subcategories are:
(a) Equipment and Materials Storage Yards and Buildings.
Uses related to outdoor or indoor bulk storage of equipment, products, or materials, whether or not stored in containers.
(b) Moving and Storage Facilities.
Uses engaged in the moving of household or office furniture, appliances, and equipment from one location to another, including the temporary storage of those same items. Typical uses include moving companies and self-service and mini-storage warehouses.
(c) Warehouse.
Uses that do not meet the definition of a moving and storage facility but that are engaged in long- term and short-term storage of goods, typically in containers such as boxes, barrels, or drums, within a completely-enclosed building.
Uses engaged in the wholesale sales, bulk storage and distribution of goods. Such uses may also include incidental retail sales. Wholesale showrooms are also included in this use subcategory.
Notes
| 636 | Amended, Bill No. 120654 (approved December 11, 2012). |
| 637 |
This category includes uses that produce goods from extracted and raw materials or from recyclable or previously prepared materials, including the design, storage, and handling of these products and the materials from which they are produced. The industrial subcategories are:
Spaces used by artists for the creation of art or the practice of their artistic endeavors, as well as uses that produce consumer goods, food, beverages, or wearing apparel or accessories by hand manufacturing, involving the use of hand tools and small-scale, light mechanical equipment in a completely enclosed building with no outdoor operations, storage or regular commercial truck parking/loading. This subcategory has no discernible external impacts in terms of noise, vibration, odor, hours of operation, or traffic.
(b) Limited Industrial.
Uses that process, fabricate, assemble, treat, or package finished parts or products without the use of explosive or petroleum materials. This subcategory does not include the assembly of large equipment and machinery and has very limited external impacts in terms of noise, vibration, odor, hours of operation, and traffic.
(c) General Industrial.
Uses that process, fabricate, assemble, or treat materials for the production of large equipment and machines as well as industrial uses that because of their scale or method of operation regularly produce odors, dust, noise, vibration, truck traffic or other external impacts that are detectable beyond the property lines of the subject property.
(d) Intensive Industrial.
Industrial uses that regularly use hazardous chemicals or procedures or produce hazardous byproducts, including the following: manufacturing of acetylene, cement, lime, gypsum or plaster-of-paris, chlorine, corrosive acid or fertilizer, insecticides, disinfectants, poisons, explosives, paint, lacquer, varnish, petroleum products, coal products, plastic and synthetic resins, and radioactive materials. This subcategory also includes petrochemical tank farms, gasification plants, smelting, animal slaughtering, oil refining, asphalt and concrete plants, and tanneries. Intensive industrial uses have high potential for external impacts on the surrounding area in terms of noise, vibration, odor, hours of operation, and traffic.
(e) Junk and Salvage Yards and Buildings.
An area or building where waste or scrap materials are bought, sold, exchanged, stored, baled, packed, disassembled, or handled for reclamation, disposal or other like purposes, including but not limited to scrap iron and other metals, paper, rags, rubber tires, and bottles. A junk or salvage yard or building includes an auto wrecking yard or building.
Uses such as docks, wharves, piers, and related facilities, used in connection with the transfer, storage-in-transit and incidental processing of commercial cargo from or to waterborne craft, including, but not limited to, pipelines and conveyors that transfer equipment or materials to or from the Delaware River or the Schuylkill River.
(g) Mining/Quarrying.
The extraction of mineral or aggregate resources from the ground for off-site use. Examples include quarrying or dredging for sand, gravel or other aggregate materials; and mining.
(h) Research and Development.
Uses engaged in scientific research and testing leading to the development of new products and processes.
(i) Trucking and Transportation Terminals.
Uses engaged in the dispatching and long-term or short-term storage of large vehicles. Minor repair and maintenance of vehicles stored on the premises is also included.
A person who holds a permit issued by the Department of Health of the Commonwealth pursuant to the Act of April 17, 2016, P.L. 84, No. 16, to grow and process medical marijuana.
Notes
| 638 | |
| 639 | Amended, Bill No. 120654 (approved December 11, 2012). |
| 640 | Added, Bill No. 160919 (approved December 20, 2016). |
This category includes uses such as gardens, farms, and orchards that involve the raising and harvesting of food and non-food crops and the raising of farm animals. The urban agriculture subcategories are:
(a) Animal Husbandry.
(b) Community Garden.
An area managed and maintained by a group of individuals to grow and harvest food crops or non- food crops (e.g., flowers) for personal or group consumption, for donation, or for sale that is incidental in nature. A community garden area may be divided into separate garden plots or orchard areas for cultivation by one or more individuals or may be farmed collectively by members of the group. A community garden may include common areas (e.g., hand tool storage sheds) maintained and used by the group. Community gardens may be principal or accessory uses and may be located on a roof or within a building.
(c) Market or Community-Supported Farm.
An area managed and maintained by an individual or group of individuals to grow and harvest food crops or non-food crops (e.g., flowers) for sale or distribution that is not incidental in nature. Market farms may be principal or accessory uses and may be located on a roof or within a building.
(d) Horticulture Nurseries and Greenhouses.
A principal use involving propagation and growth of plants in containers or in the ground for wholesale or retail sales and distribution.
Notes
| 641 | Enrolled bill read "10-101(8)"; cross-reference corrected by Code editor. See Bill No. 110210-A (approved May 25, 2011). |
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