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Philadelphia Overview
The Philadelphia Code
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
TITLE 13. WATER AND SEWER
TITLE 14. ZONING AND PLANNING
PREFACE: BILL NO. 110845
CHAPTER 14-100. GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 14-200. DEFINITIONS
CHAPTER 14-300. ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURES
CHAPTER 14-400. BASE ZONING DISTRICTS
CHAPTER 14-500. OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICTS
§ 14-501. General.
§ 14-502. /CTR, Center City Overlay District.
§ 14-503. /NCA, Neighborhood Commercial Area Overlay District.
§ 14-504. /NCO, Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District.
§ 14-505. /ENV, Environmental Preservation Overlay District.
§ 14-506. /NCP, North Central Philadelphia Overlay District.
§ 14-507. /CDO, Central Delaware Riverfront Overlay District.
§ 14-508. /DRC, Delaware River Conservation Overlay District.
§ 14-509. /CAO, City Avenue Overlay District.
§ 14-510. /WWO, Wissahickon Watershed Overlay District.
§ 14-511. /AHC, Airport Hazard Control Overlay District.
§ 14-512. /ANC, Airport Noise Compatibility Overlay District.
§ 14-513. /TOD, Transit-Oriented Development Overlay District.
§ 14-514. /FNE, Far Northeast Overlay District.
§ 14-515. /NE, Northeast Overlay District.
§ 14-516. /WST, West Overlay District.
§ 14-517. /UED, Urban Experiential Display Overlay Control District.
§ 14-518. /WWA, West Washington Avenue Overlay District.
§ 14-519. /ECO, East Callowhill Overlay District.
§ 14-520. /NDO, Ninth District Overlay District.
§ 14-521. /STM, St. Mary's Master Plan Overlay.
§ 14-522. /WAH, Warrington Affordable Housing Overlay District.
§ 14-523. /IMA, Industrial and Manufacturing Area Overlay District.
§ 14-524. /FDO, Fourth District Overlay District.
§ 14-525. /SNM, South Ninth Street Market Overlay District.
§ 14-526. /AME, American Street Overlay District.
§ 14-527. /SMH, South Philadelphia Municipal Hub Overlay District.
§ 14-528. /TSO, 30th Street Overlay District.
§ 14-529. /VDO, Fifth District Overlay District.
§ 14-530. /EDO, Eighth District Overlay District.
§ 14-531 /HHC, Heliport Hazard Control Overlay District.
§ 14-532. /GAO, Girard Avenue Overlay District.
§ 14-533. /MIN, Mixed Income Neighborhoods Overlay District.
§ 14-534. /AHP, Affordable Housing Preservation Overlay District.
§ 14-535. /YOD, Yorktown Neighborhood Overlay District.
§ 14-536. /NHO, Nehemiah Homes Overlay District.
§ 14-537. /NBO, Nelson Brown People's Village Overlay District.
§ 14-538. /CGC, Cobbs Creek Golf Course Overlay District.
§ 14-539. /EOD, East Poplar Overlay District.
§ 14-540. /NIS, Narcotics Injection Sites Overlay District.
§ 14-541. /RAN, Ridge Avenue Neighborhoods Overlay District.
§ 14-542. /PAK, Packer Avenue Overlay District.
§ 14-543. /PCH, Philadelphia Chinatown Overlay District.
CHAPTER 14-600. USE REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 14-700. DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
CHAPTER 14-800. PARKING AND LOADING
CHAPTER 14-900. SIGNS
CHAPTER 14-1000. HISTORIC PRESERVATION
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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(2)   Use Regulations.
In addition to the uses allowed in the underlying zoning district, the following uses are permitted:
(a)   Assembly and entertainment;
(b)   Non-accessory surface parking; and
(c)   Roof decks for non-residential use.
(3)   Expiration.
The provisions of this § 14-542, /PAK, Packer Avenue Overlay District, shall expire if a zoning permit has not been issued in connection with the area designated CMX-3 in the District within two years of the effective date of this Section.
§ 14-543. /PCH, Philadelphia Chinatown Overlay District.  599.3

 

Notes

599.3
   Added, Bill No. 241062-A (approved December 23, 2024). Enrolled bill numbered this as § 14-542; renumbered by Code editor.
(1)   Purpose.
The /PCH, Philadelphia Chinatown Overlay District, is established in order to preserve and protect the existing character of the Chinatown neighborhood.
(2)    Applicability.
The standards and regulations of the /PCH, Philadelphia Chinatown district, apply to all properties within CMX-3, CMX-4, CMX-5, and RMX-3 zoning districts located within the area bounded by Vine Street, Ninth Street, Cuthbert Street (Extended), 11th Street, Race Street, and 13th Street.
(3)   Use Regulations.
(a)   Prohibited Uses.
The following uses shall be prohibited within this overlay:
(.1)   Adult-Oriented Services;
(.2)   Assembly and Entertainment;
(.3)   Smoking Lounges;
(.4)   Amusement Arcades;
(.5)   Fortune Telling Service; and
(.6)   Vehicle and Vehicular Equipment Sales and Service.
(b)   Inclusionary Housing.
(.1)   Developments that meet the definition of a Residential Housing Project under § 14-533(2) (Definition of Residential Housing Project) (excepting the limitation on location stated in § 14-533(2)(a)), must include on-site affordable dwelling units consistent with and subject to the requirements necessary to earn a floor area bonus at the Moderate Income level of affordability pursuant to § 14-702(7) (Mixed Income Housing), provided that no such bonus shall be earned for the provision of such units. Dwelling units constructed or with respect to which a zoning permit has been issued prior to the establishment of this Philadelphia Chinatown Overlay District shall not be included in any calculation pursuant to § 14-702(7)(b).
(.2)   Any development that meets either of the following conditions will not be required to meet the requirements of subsection (.1), above:
(.a)   The Department of Planning and Development has certified that fifty-one percent (51%) or more units will meet the definition of “Affordable Housing Property” under § 7-202(1); or
(.b)   The Residential Housing Project is otherwise subject to a recorded instrument such that average monthly costs for all rental units may not exceed the standards described under § 14-702(7)(a)(.1)(.a).
(4)   Development Standards.
(a)   Retail and Commercial Space Controls.
Eating and Drinking Establishment uses may not occupy more than 3,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area.
(b)   Building Heights.
(.1)   The minimum building height shall be 25 feet.
(.2)   For properties that are in CMX-3, CMX-4, and RMX-3 zoning districts, the maximum building height shall be 65 feet unless additional building height has been earned pursuant to § 14-702 (Floor Area, Height, and Dwelling Unit Density Bonuses), subject to the provisions of subsection (c), below.
(c)   Bonus Eligibility.
(.1)   No Floor Area or height bonuses may be earned except for those earned by meeting the requirements of § 14-702(7) (Mixed Income Housing).
(.2)   A property may earn one or more bonuses pursuant to the provisions of § 14-702(7) (Mixed Income Housing) only by exceeding the requirements of § 14-543(3)(b) (Inclusionary Housing), above. Any unit used to satisfy the requirements of § 14-543(3)(b) may not be used to earn a bonus under § 14-702(7).
(.3)   Notwithstanding the provisions of § 14-702(7)(c)(.1), properties in the /PCH, Philadelphia Chinatown Overlay District may take advantage of Mixed-Income Housing bonuses multiple times and may earn bonuses under both the low-income and moderate-income standards.
(.4)   A property that earns a floor-area bonus pursuant to § 14-702 (Floor Area, Height, and Dwelling Unit Density Bonuses) shall also earn the equivalent height bonus pursuant to that Section. However, the affordable housing units provided may only be used to earn a single set of floor area and height bonuses.
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