Skip to main content
Back to search resultsBill 140608

Amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code (The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code), Subcode A (The Philadelphia Administrative Code) and Subcode PM (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code), by amending requirements applicable to vacant premises, all under certain terms and conditions.

AI summary

The enacted ordinance amended Philadelphia’s property and building codes for vacant premises, effective January 1, 2015. It expanded the definition of a large vacant commercial or industrial property to include properties with more than 5,000 square feet, and required owners of vacant commercial properties and these larger properties to provide a bond, other security, or a deposit to cover potential City costs for correcting code violations or unsafe conditions. Failure to maintain the required security could lead to license suspension or denial after written notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

File details

Status
ENACTED
Introduced
June 19, 2014
Sponsors
Maria D. Quiñones-SánchezDennis M. O'BrienCurtis Jones, Jr.
View official record ↗

Full text

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

TITLE 4. THE PHILADELPHIA BUILDING

CONSTRUCTION AND OCCUPANCY CODE.

* * *

CHAPTER 4-200.0 TEXT OF SUBCODES.

* * *

SUBCODE “A” (THE PHILADELPHIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE)

* * *

A-601.3 Fines for Class III offenses: Notwithstanding subsection A-601.1, any person who violates any of the following provisions shall have committed a Class III offense and shall be subject to the fines set forth in subsection 1-109(3) of The Philadelphia Code:

* * *

18. PM-304.20.3; PM 304.21; PM-304.21.1 through 304.21.5

* * *

SUBCODE “PM” (THE PHILADELPHIA

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE)

* * *

SECTION PM-202 General Definitions

* * *

Large Vacant Commercial or Industrial Property ("LVCIP"): An LVCIP is any vacant property containing an improvement that has a commercial or industrial zoning designation, where the improvement area is greater than [15,000]

5,000

square feet.

* * *

TITLE 9. REGULATION OF BUSINESSES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS

* * *

CHAPTER 9-3900. PROPERTY LICENSES AND OWNER ACCOUNTABILITY.

* * *

§9-3902. Licensing.

* * *

(4) Vacant structures or lots. The owner of every vacant lot, vacant building or

vacant wharf, pier or dock shall obtain a license from the Department. Every person

applying for a license shall supply such information as the Department requires and shall pay an annual fee as set forth in the administrative code. The owner of any vacant commercial structure, or of any Large Vacant Commercial or Industrial Property as defined by §PM-202, shall post a bond or other security

or a deposit

in form approved by the LawDepartment and in an amount determined by the Department to be necessary to secure the City's potential cost of correcting Code violations or abating unsafe or imminently dangerous conditions as authorized by §PM-304.21.10, §PM-310.6, §PM-311.4, or any other provision of this code. If the City does incur such costs, the City may recover such costs from the posted bond or other security

or deposit

, in addition to pursuing any other remedy authorized by law. The bond or other security shall provide that it will not expire and the City need not release it upon transfer of the property unless and until a subsequent owner posts a comparable bond or other security

or deposit

. Failure to post the required security

or deposit

or to maintain such security may result in the suspension or denial of any license issued to the owner under this code, which license suspension(s) or denial(s) shall continue until the owner has posted the required security

or deposit

. No license shall be suspended under this provision until the owner has been provided written notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be effective January 1, 2015.

___________________________________

Explanation:

[Brackets] indicate matter deleted.

Italics

indicate new matter added.

End

File history

Sometimes city council's record keeping is not complete. This timeline reflects the information on the council's legistar website.
  1. Council actionMAYOR

    Signed

  2. Council actionCITY COUNCIL

    Read and ordered placed on next week's second reading calendar

    Council actionCITY COUNCIL

    Ordered placed on this day`s first reading calendar

    Council actionCITY COUNCIL

    Suspend the rules of the council

    Pass
  3. Council actionCommittee on Licenses and Inspections

    Reported favorably, rule suspension requested

    Council actionCommittee on Licenses and Inspections

    Amended

    Council actionCommittee on Licenses and Inspections

    Hearing held

    Council actionCommittee on Licenses and Inspections

    Hearing notices sent

  4. Council actionCommittee on Licenses and Inspections

    Cancellation of Scheduled Public Hearing

    Council actionCommittee on Licenses and Inspections

    Hearing notices sent

  5. Council actionCITY COUNCIL

    Introduced and Referred

    Pass