/NCO, Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District.
Philadelphia Code § 14-504
in effect§ 14-504. /NCO, Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District.
Notes
450 | Amended, Bill No. 190408 (approved July 24, 2019).
(1) Purposes.
The /NCO, Neighborhood Conservation Overlay district is intended to:
(a) Promote the public welfare of the City by encouraging conservation and preservation through the revitalization of the physical environment that is unique to a specific neighborhood;
(b) Provide a reasonable degree of control over the alteration and improvement of the exterior facades of existing buildings and the design of new construction to preserve the aesthetic fabric of these areas;
(c) Enhance the City's attractiveness as a place to live, work, and enjoy its cultural, social, and historical opportunities and also to foster a renewed feeling of pride in one's neighborhood;
(d) Complement the goals of the Commission and the Historical Commission as they seek to develop, revitalize, preserve, and conserve the many diverse and historic neighborhoods of the City; and
(e) Promote building improvements and maximize the economic, social, and educational value of neighborhood transformation.
(1.1) Permits.
(a) The regulations applicable to each /NCO district are divided into zoning regulations and design standards. Compliance with the provisions of the zoning regulations shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of a zoning permit. Compliance with the provisions of the design standards shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of a building permit.
(b) No zoning permit or building permit shall be issued for the demolition of a principal building located within an /NCO district unless a building permit has been issued for the construction, expansion, or alteration of a new or existing principal building on the same lot, unless either: 452
(.1) Such demolition is necessary to abate an imminently dangerous condition as determined by the Department of Licenses and Inspections; or
(.2) Such demolition is necessary to abate an unsafe condition impacting the right of way or any adjacent property as determined by the Department of Licenses and Inspections.
Notes
451 | Amended, Bill No. 190866 (approved December 30, 2019).
452 | Amended, Bill No. 220418 (approved November 30, 2022).
(2) Design Standards.
The design standards adopted as part of each /NCO district may address building and site design, but may not address the availability of permitted and special exception uses pursuant to Chapter 14-600 (Use Regulations), related to any of the following:
(a) Alterations to architectural features of existing buildings that are visible from a public street;
(b) The new construction or expansion of a building; and
(c) Construction of a new building or use of a vacant property after substantial demolition of an existing building on a property.
(3) Planning Commission Review.
(a) No building permit shall be issued to construct a building or alter the exterior of a building that is visible from a public street until the Commission has reviewed the application and confirmed that it complies with all regulations applicable to the applicable /NCO district area, subject to the review provisions set forth in (b).
(b) An applicant who is denied approval for a building permit by the Commission may, within thirty (30) days of such denial, request in writing a review by the Commission at a regularly scheduled public meeting, subject to the following standards:
(.1) Where error is alleged in the denial of a building permit application, the Commission shall determine whether the requirements of subsection (a) above and the design standards of the applicable /NCO district area are met and shall approve such application if it determines that the initial decision of the Commission was made in error.
(.2) Where the building permit application deviates from subsection (a) above and the design standards of the applicable /NCO district area, the Commission may approve a building permit application where an application satisfies both (.a) and (.b):
(.a) Prior to the meeting of the Commission, the applicant provides written notice of the request to all RCOs whose registered boundaries include the applicant's property. Such notice must include the date of the review, time and location of the Commission meeting where the application is to be reviewed, and the requested deviation from the design standards of the applicable /NCO district area.
(.b) The Commission determines that:
(.i) Strict conformity with the design standards of the applicable /NCO district area would result in an unreasonable hardship;
(.ii) The deviation from the design standards of the applicable /NCO district area would be reasonable due to special circumstances of the lot or lots in question, including the impact upon existing structures, materials, and uses; and
(.iii) The deviation from the design standards of the applicable /NCO district area may be approved without harming the purposes of the /NCO as set forth in § 14-504(1).
(.3) The Commission may approve only deviations from the requirements of subsection (a) above and the design standards of the applicable /NCO district area. The Commission may grant a deviation that is lesser than that requested by the applicant. The Commission shall not approve any deviation from the zoning regulations of the applicable /NCO district area, any other provision of this Zoning Code, or any variance or special exception granted by the Zoning Board.
(.4) The decision of the Commission to deny approval for a deviation from design standards of the applicable /NCO district area shall be subject to an appeal to the Board of License and Inspection Review, whose review shall be limited to determining whether the decision of the Commission was clearly erroneous.
(c) If the Commission does not make a written decision to approve or deny the building permit application within 30 days of the date that it receives an application, the Commission will be deemed to have approved the application without conditions.
(d) The Commission's decision shall not be subject to appeal separately from an appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment on the zoning permit application.
(e) A decision by the Commission to approve a building permit shall not be subject to appeal separately from an appeal to the Board of License and Inspection Review of L&I's issuance of the building permit.
Notes
453 | Amended, Bill No. 150264 (approved June 16, 2015); amended, Bill No. 200576 (approved January 20, 2021).
(4) Historic Designation.
(a) In the event any portion of an approved /NCO district is included in a historic district designated by the Historical Commission, or any property within an approved /NCO district is individually designated as historic pursuant to Chapter 14-1000 (Historic Preservation), all provisions of this § 14-504 (/NCO, Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District) shall be of no further force or effect for the portion of the /NCO included within the historic district or any property designated as historic, except as indicated in § 14-504(4)(b) below
(b) § 14-504(4)(a) above shall not apply to any property within the historic district that is not individually designated in the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places and upon which no building or structure (not including foundations, parking kiosks, storage sheds, fences, walls, and gates) exists at the time of designation of the historic district.
Notes
454 | Amended, Bill No. 200576 (approved January 20, 2021).
(5) Queen Village.
(a) District Boundaries.
The Queen Village /NCO district contains the area bounded by the north side of Washington Avenue, the properties on the north side of Bainbridge Street (inclusive), the east side of 6th Street and the west side of Front Street, except for any property within the South Street/Head House Square area set forth in § 14-502(2)(b)(.22), as shown on the following map for illustrative purposes only.
[image omitted; see the official code]
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
(b) Zoning Regulations for Residential and Residentially-Zoned Structures..
These regulations will apply to residentially-zoned properties, regardless of use, and to properties that are permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Building Setback Line.
Buildings with street frontage shall have no front setback, except that buildings with one street frontage of 20 ft. or more and buildings on corner lots may have front setbacks from all street frontages if a fence wall is constructed upon the property line where the setback is used, and the space between the fence wall and the building contains at least one tree as approved in the DPR plantings list.
(.2) Height Regulations.
On streets with a width of 21 ft. or less, including the cartway and sidewalks, new construction shall not exceed 22 ft. in height to a cornice line, before either:
(.a) Recessing on a plane, a minimum of 45 degrees, to the maximum height allowable in the underlying zoning district or any applicable zoning overlay district; or
(.b) Stepping back from the front property line eight ft. to a vertical wall that may extend to the maximum height allowable in the underlying zoning district or any applicable zoning overlay district.
(.3) Roof Decks.
Roof decks shall be setback at least eight ft. from the front property line, or a parapet at least 42 in. high shall be used to enclose the front of the deck.
(.4) Parking.
New curb cuts shall not exceed ten ft. in width for a single space, and 20 ft. for a double space.
(c) Zoning Regulations for Commercially-Zoned and Industrially-Zoned Structures.
The regulations of this § 14-504(5)(c) will apply to commercially-zoned or industrially-zoned properties other than properties permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Building Setback Line.
Buildings with street frontage shall not have front setbacks.
(d) Design Standards for Residential and Residentially-Zoned Structures.
These regulations will apply to residentially-zoned properties, regardless of use, and to properties that are permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Requirements for Both New Construction and Alterations.
(.a) Where street frontage of a new building exceeds 20 ft. on a single street or where an existing building is extended to exceed 20 ft. on a single street, the facade facing that street must be broken up by offset planes, roofline variations, or other architectural features including, but not limited to, bay windows or setbacks.
(.b) Residential buildings must have a habitable room on the front of the first floor. A habitable room shall be defined as in the Property Maintenance Code, Section PM-202.0.
(.c) New utility meters must be hidden from view from the street frontage.
(.2) Windows.
Windows along the street front of first floor habitable rooms shall comply with the following:
(.a) The height of the bottom windowsill shall be no more than four ft. six in. from the sidewalk;
(.b) The overall window height shall be at least four ft. from sill to head; and
(.c) The minimum aggregate width of the window, in linear feet, shall be at least thirty-three percent (33%) of the total linear frontage of the first floor.
(.3) Parking.
(.a) Vehicular entryways of private residence parking garages that front on any street shall only be permitted where there is a habitable room on the first floor and the window requirements for that habitable room are met.
(.b) Open-air parking spaces shall not be visible from the street frontage.
(.c) For new construction of two or more dwelling units within a row, parking spaces or private residence parking garages shall be placed directly adjacent to one another, except where the Commission determines it impracticable.
(.4) Materials.
(.a) Vinyl, stucco, or cement board siding may not be used on the front facade of a building, with the exception of garage doors, main doors, and fenestration.
(.b) Projecting bay windows that face a street may not be constructed of stucco.
(.c) Parking lots may not be constructed of asphalt or slab concrete paving materials.
(.d) If the rear of a structure is visible from a street, the material used must be consistent with the front facade of the building. 455
(.e) Railings for roof decks may be up to fifty percent (50%) opaque and may not be constructed of unfinished wood.
(.f) Fences may not be constructed of unfinished wood or chain link fencing materials.
(.g) A light illuminating the sidewalk must be installed adjacent to the front door of all newly constructed front facades. The illumination must be controlled via a timer.
(e) Design Standards for Commercially-Zoned and Industrially-Zoned Structures.
The regulations of this § 14-504(5)(e) will apply to commercially-zoned or industrially-zoned properties other than properties permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use. They apply to new construction and alterations.
(.1) Parking and Loading.
New off-street parking and loading areas shall not be visible from the primary street frontage.
(.2) Materials.
The materials used in the construction of a new structure or facade shall be of similar material to that used on the nearest residential structures fronting on the same street as the property under review.
Notes
455 | Amended, Bill No. 200576 (approved January 20, 2021).
(6) Overbrook Farms.
(a) Purpose.
The Overbrook Farms /NCO district is established in order to preserve and protect the area of the city within its boundaries. It is recognized that this section of the city, located primarily within the Overbrook Farms National Historic District, is a unique, mixed-use, neighborhood-oriented retail district containing residential uses and retail uses interspersed at street level with residential uses on upper floors. There is a need to establish special sign and building controls to protect the unique character of the district, foster the preservation of buildings in accordance with its special character, and encourage new development that is compatible with this character.
(b) Applicability.
The requirements of this Overbrook Farms /NCO district apply to all lots within the boundaries shown on the following map.
[image omitted; see the official code]
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
(c) Zoning Regulations. 456
(.1) Use.
(.a) On RSA-3-zoned lots fronting on 63rd Street, office and financial services uses, except for personal credit establishments, are permitted in addition to uses allowed by the underlying zoning.
(.b) No multi-family use is permitted in any single family zoning classification.
(d) Design Standards. 457
The Overbrook Farms design standards of this subsection apply to all properties within Overbrook Farms /NCO district except for those properties with frontage on City Avenue between Drexel Road and Overbrook Avenue.
(.1) Building Standards.
(.a) Original materials, including storefronts, windows, walls, cornices, bays, and roofs of buildings, shall be repaired or replaced with materials or details similar to the original materials.
(.b) The design of new buildings shall be consistent with the character defining features of the Overbrook Farms National Historic District, in terms of massing, vertical and horizontal articulation, proportion of window openings to wall area, and building materials.
Notes
456 | Amended, Bill No. 210361 (approved July 15, 2021).
457 | Subsection (6)(d)(.2) deleted, Bill No. 120430-A (approved January 14, 2013).
(7) Central Roxborough.
(a) Purpose.
The Central Roxborough/NCO intends to protect the existing walkable character of the frontages in the Central Roxborough section of Philadelphia. Walkability serves the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens by providing human-scaled design, interesting and pedestrian friendly facades, and "eyes on the street", all in close proximity to useful commercial destinations, parks, and transit.
These blocks and streets were selected for their relatively intact historic pattern. The design of new buildings should be consistent with the character-defining features of this overlay district, in terms of massing, vertical and horizontal articulation, fenestration proportions, and building materials.
(b) Applicability. 458.1
The Central Roxborough/NCO applies to properties in the area generally bounded by Gates Street (both sides), Ridge Avenue, Hermitage Street, Manayunk Avenue (both sides), Green Lane (both sides), Dexter Street (both sides), Lyceum Avenue, Manayunk Avenue (both sides), Roxborough Avenue (both sides), Ridge Avenue, Dupont Street (both sides), Lawnton Street, Green Lane, Jannette Street, Monastery Avenue, and Henry Avenue, except for the parcels located in the /RAN Ridge Avenue Neighborhoods Overlay district, as shown on the following map for illustrative purposes only.
[image omitted; see the official code]
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
(c) Zoning Regulations for Residential and Residentially-Zoned Structures. 459
These regulations shall apply to residentially-zoned properties and to properties permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Building Setback Line.
The front setback shall be no further from the street than the furthest front facade of the principal building on any abutting lots on the same blockface and shall be located no closer to the primary street than the closest front facade of the principal building on any such abutting lots. If all such abutting lots are vacant, then the setback range shall be based on the building that is closest to the subject property and on the same blockface. Where there are not a sufficient number of lots that meet these criteria to establish a front setback, the front setback shall adhere to the standards set by the underlying zoning district.
(.2) Building Height.
If at least one abutting lot on either side of a house contains only two stories of habitable space, the stories above the second story of the house shall be set back an additional eight ft. from the minimum required setback; except this requirement shall not apply to corner lots.
(.3) Porches.
Porches are permitted on all blocks and may be located in the required front setback. Porches shall be required if at least one of the immediately abutting lots contains a porch. Porches shall be a minimum of 5 ft. in depth, as measured from the front wall of the enclosed main structure, out toward the front property line.
(.4) Parking.
(.a) Parking in the front yard shall be prohibited.
(.b) Vehicular entryways of private residence parking garages that front on any street shall be prohibited.
(.c) Curb cut width shall be limited to 12 ft.
(d) Design Standards for Residential and Residentially-Zoned Structures.
These regulations shall apply to residentially-zoned properties and to properties permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Building Standards.
The principal building shall have a habitable room on the front of the first floor with at least one window facing the street. A habitable room shall be defined as in the Property Maintenance Code, Section PM-202.0.
(.2) New utility meters and HVAC equipment located on frontages shall be screened with landscaping, fences, or walls. Any other utility structures and their conduits facing a frontage shall be painted to match the wall or otherwise have their visibility minimized. This provision shall not apply to satellite dishes less than one meter in diameter or window air conditioning units.
(.3) Flush mounted windows shall be prohibited. Sills shall project from the wall a minimum of one inch.
(.4) Impervious Surface Coverage. 460
The impervious coverage for front yards shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the area of the front yard.
(.5) Materials.
(.a) For new construction, the following front building facade materials shall be prohibited: vinyl siding, aluminum siding, and synthetic stucco.
(.b) Retaining walls and garden walls located along a street frontage shall not be constructed of concrete masonry units (CMUs) unless capped and covered with stone, cultured stone, stucco, or brick.
(.c) Fences or fence walls located along a street frontage shall be iron, stone, cultured stone, stucco, brick, painted wood, or finished wood. Chain link and vinyl fences are prohibited on frontages.
(.d) Windows in masonry, brick, brick veneer, or stone veneer walls, with or without stucco veneer, shall be inset a minimum of three inches.
(e) Design Standards for Commercial Structures. 461
These regulations shall apply to commercially-zoned or residentially-zoned properties used for retail sales or an eating and drinking establishment.
(.1) The front entrance shall have a zero-step entry at the front door.
(.2) Street frontage shall have minimum fifty percent (50%) clear glass on the facade between the area 2 ft. and 10 ft. above the sidewalk. This shall apply to the first 10 ft. horizontally from the corner of each facade of a corner property, and to the entirety of the width of a mid-block property.
(.3) Awnings, if provided, shall be a minimum of 3 ft. in depth, as measured from the front facade of the building to the curb line.
Notes
458 | Added, Bill No. 140864 (approved December 19, 2014).
458.1 | Amended, Bill No. 240421 (approved September 4, 2024).
459 | Amended, Bill No. 161003-A (approved May 8, 2017).
460 | Amended, Bill No. 200576 (approved January 20, 2021).
461 | Amended, Bill No. 161003-A (approved May 8, 2017).
(7.1) Chestnut Hill Lower East.
(a) Applicability.
The East Mermaid Lane/NCO applies to RSA-3-zoned properties in the area bounded by the SEPTA Chestnut Hill East Line, Cresheim Valley Drive, Germantown Avenue, Winston Road, Moreland Avenue, Devon Street, Ardleigh Street, and Springfield Avenue, as shown on the following map for illustrative purposes only.
[image omitted; see the official code]
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
(b) Zoning Regulations for Residential Structures.
(.1) Building Setback Line.
The front facade of a building shall be no farther from the street than the farthest front facade of the principal building on either of the two immediately abutting lots on the same block face and shall be located no closer to the primary street than the closest front facade of the principal building on either of the two immediately abutting lots on the same block face. If both immediately abutting lots on the same block face are vacant, then the setback range shall be based on the building that is closest to the subject property. Where all lots on the block face are vacant, the front setback shall adhere to the standards set by the underlying zoning district.
(.2) Building Height and Massing.
(.a) The principal building’s roof shall be sloped with a minimum pitch of 18 degrees above horizontal, except for buildings that incorporate a mansard roof at the top floor.
(.b) If at least one abutting lot on either side of a building contains only two stories of habitable space, the stories above the second story of the building shall:
(i) Be set back an additional 8 ft. from the minimum required setback; or
(ii) Incorporate a front facade mansard roof and a maximum dormer width of 7 ft. Dormers shall be aligned on-center with second story windows below.
(.c) In no instance shall the maximum height of a building be greater than any building on an abutting lot with the same frontage that contains three stories of habitable space.
(.3) Porches.
(.a) Porches shall be required if:
(i) At least one of the immediately abutting lots on the same block face contains a porch in the area between the front facade of the principal building and the front lot line;
(ii) The closest structure on the same block face contains a porch in the area between the front facade of the principal building and the front lot line; or
(iii) Two structures on the same block face are of an equal distance to the lot and at least one such structure contains a porch in the area between the front facade of the principal building and the front lot line.
(.b) If a porch is located in the area between the front facade of the principal building and the front lot line on one or more immediately abutting lots on the same street frontage, porches must match the depths, widths, setback depth, and roof heights of at least one of such porch.
(.c) Porches shall be a minimum of 6 ft. in depth, measured as the distance from the front facade of the principal building to the front lot line.
(.4) Parking.
(.a) Garages and carports attached to or included within the principal building shall be prohibited unless they can be accessed from a shared driveway, alley, or rear street.
(.b) Curb cut width shall be limited to 12 feet.
(.5) Roof Decks.
Roof decks and roof deck access structures shall be prohibited.
(c) Design Standards for Residential Structures.
(.1) Building Standards.
(.a) The principal building shall have a habitable room on the front of the first floor with at least one entryway and one window facing the street. A habitable room shall be defined as in the Property Maintenance Code, Section PM-202.
(.b) The design of new buildings shall be consistent with the character defining features of the Chestnut Hill National Historic District, in terms of massing, vertical and horizontal articulation, proportion of window openings to wall area, and building materials.
(.2) Utilities.
New utility meters and HVAC equipment shall be screened with landscaping, fences, or walls. Any other utility structures and their conduits shall be painted to match the wall or otherwise have their visibility minimized. This provision shall not apply to satellite dishes less than one meter in diameter or window air conditioning units.
(.3) Fenestration.
(.a) Flush mounted windows shall be prohibited on any facade that is visible from a public street. Windows must be inset from the exterior wall a minimum of two inches. Sills must project from the wall a minimum of two inches.
(.b) All windows on any facade that is visible from a public street shall be operable.
(.c) Shutters shall be operable. Permanently affixed shutters shall be prohibited.
(.4) Screening of Refuse Enclosures.
Refuse enclosures visible from a public right-of-way shall be screened with landscaping, fences or walls. Such enclosures shall be painted to match the wall of the residential building or otherwise have their visibility minimized.
(.5) Impervious Surface Coverage and Landscaping.
(.a) At least fifteen percent (15%) of the front yard shall be planted with trees, shrubs, perennials, or groundcover.
(.6) Porches.
(.a) Existing porches at the front of a building shall not be enclosed to make interior living space, unless enclosed with at least eighty percent (80%) of the facade consisting of transparent glass.
(.b) Accessible or visitable units are exempt from the requirements of this subsection (.6).
(.7) Materials.
(.a) Any newly constructed facade that is visible from a public street shall be entirely composed of one or more of the following materials:
(i) Wissahickon Schist stone or stone veneer,
(ii) Clay-based, non-colored, non-glazed brick
(iii) Limestone
(iv) Cast stone
(v) Traditional cementitious stucco
(vi) Painted wood
(vii) Wood shingles
(viii) Wood siding
(.b) Vinyl, aluminum siding, concrete masonry units, unpainted pressure-treated wood, and membrane roofing are expressly prohibited as finish materials on facades and porches that are visible from a public street.
(.c) Retaining walls and garden walls located along a street frontage shall not be constructed of concrete masonry units (CMUs) unless capped and covered with Wissahickon Schist stone or stone veneer, brick, or traditional cementitious stucco.
(.d) Fences or fence walls located along a street frontage shall be iron, Wissahickon Schist stone or stone veneer, stucco, brick, painted wood, or finished wood. Chain link and vinyl fences are prohibited on frontages.
(.e) Windows in masonry, brick, brick veneer, or stone veneer walls, with or without stucco veneer, shall be inset a minimum of three inches. Windows with snap-on mullions or grids shall be prohibited.
(.f) Window trim, shutters, bay windows, porch columns/trim/railings and cornices details shall be made of composite materials or wood that is finished with stain or paint.
(.g) New porches or decks erected in the front yard shall not be constructed of unpainted, pressure treated wood.
Notes
461.1 | Added, Bill No. 240336 (became law September 5, 2024). Enrolled bill numbered this as subsection (7); renumbered by Code editor.
(8) Ridge Park Roxborough.
(a) Applicability.
The Ridge Park Roxborough/NCO applies to properties in the area generally bounded by Ridge Avenue, Paoli Avenue, Silverwood Street, Parker Avenue (including, for the first 1,357 ft. from Silverwood Street, both sides of Parker Avenue), Smick Street, Fountain Street, Fowler Street, Hermitage Street, Wilde Street, Leverington Street, Silverwood Street, Hermitage Street, Manayunk Avenue (extended), Gates Street, Pechin Street, and Fountain Street, except for the parcels with frontage upon Ridge Avenue, as shown on the following map for illustrative purposes only.
[image omitted; see the official code]
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
(b) Zoning Regulations for Residential and Residentially-Zoned Structures.
These regulations shall apply to residentially-zoned properties and to properties permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Building Setback Line.
The front setback shall be no further from the street than the furthest front facade of the principal building on any abutting lots on the same blockface and shall be located no closer to the primary street than the closest front facade of the principal building on any such abutting lots. If all such abutting lots are vacant, then the setback range shall be based on the building that is closest to the subject property and on the same blockface. Where there are not a sufficient number of lots that meet these criteria to establish a front setback, the front setback shall adhere to the standards set by the underlying zoning district.
(.2) Building Height.
If at least one abutting lot on either side of a residential building contains only two stories of habitable space, the stories above the second story of the building shall be set back an additional 8 ft. from the minimum required setback; except this requirement shall not apply to corner lots.
(.3) Porches.
Porches are permitted on all blocks and may be located in the required front setback. Porches shall be required if at least one of the immediately abutting lots contains a porch. Porches shall be a minimum of 5 ft. in depth, as measured from the front facade of the enclosed main structure, out toward the front property line.
(.4) Parking.
(.a) Parking in the front yard shall be prohibited. 463
(.b) Vehicular entryways of private residence parking garages that front on any street shall be prohibited.
(.c) Curb cut width shall be limited to 12 ft.
(c) Design Standards for Residential and Residentially-Zoned Structures.
These regulations shall apply to residentially-zoned properties and to properties permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Residential buildings shall have a habitable room on the front of the first floor with at least one window facing the street. A habitable room shall be defined as in the Property Maintenance Code, Section PM-202.0.
(.2) New utility meters and HVAC equipment located on frontages shall be screened with landscaping, fences, or walls. Any other utility structures and their conduits facing a frontage shall be painted to match the wall or otherwise have their visibility minimized. This provision shall not apply to satellite dishes less than one meter in diameter or window air conditioning units.
(.3) Flush mounted windows shall be prohibited along street frontages. Sills shall project from the wall a minimum of one inch.
(.4) Impervious Surface Coverage. 464
The impervious coverage for front yards shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the area of the front yard.
(.5) Materials.
(.a) For new construction, the following front building facade materials shall be prohibited: vinyl siding, aluminum siding, and synthetic stucco.
(.b) Retaining walls and garden walls located along a street frontage shall not be constructed of concrete masonry units (CMUs) unless capped and covered with stone, cultured stone, stucco, or brick.
(.c) Fences or fence walls located along a street frontage shall be iron, stone, cultured stone, stucco, brick, painted wood, or finished wood. Chain link and vinyl fences are prohibited on frontages.
(.d) Windows in masonry, brick, brick veneer, or stone veneer walls, with or without stucco veneer, shall be inset a minimum of three inches.
Notes
462 | Added, Bill No. 150858 (approved December 23, 2015); amended, Bill No. 161003-A (approved May 8, 2017).
463 | Amended, Bill No. 170006 (approved May 1, 2017).
464 | Amended, Bill No. 200576 (approved January 20, 2021).
(9) Powelton Village.
(a) Applicability.
The Powelton Village /NCO applies to the properties bounded by 35th Street, Spring Garden Street, 31st Street, Powelton Avenue, 32nd Street, Summer Street, Natrona Street, Powelton Avenue, 34th Street, and Lancaster Avenue, as shown on the following map ("Zone 1") for illustrative purposes only; and to the properties bounded by 39th Street, Spring Garden Street, 35th Street, Lancaster Avenue, 36th Street, Warren Street, 37th Street, Lancaster Avenue, Powelton Avenue, 38th Street, and Lancaster Avenue, as shown on the following map ("Zone 2") for illustrative purposes only.
[image omitted; see the official code]
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
[image omitted; see the official code]
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
(b) Zoning Regulations for Residential and Residentially-Zoned Structures.
These regulations shall apply to residentially-zoned properties and to properties permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Building Setback Line.
Where a new building is attached to an existing structure, the setback of the primary facade of the new structure shall match the setback of the primary facade of the existing adjacent structure, unless a greater setback is required by the Zoning Code.
(.2) Building Height.
Notwithstanding other sections of the Zoning Code, the height of a new structure shall be limited to three stories, and 35 ft.
(.3) Porches.
Where a new building is attached to an existing structure that includes a porch, the new structure shall also include a porch. The new porch must match the existing depth, roofline, and floorline of the existing adjacent porch.
(c) Design Standards for Residential and Residentially-Zoned Structures.
These regulations shall apply to residentially-zoned properties and to properties permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Fenestration.
(.a) For all new construction, windows along the street frontage of the first floor shall:
(i) have an overall window height of at least 5 ft. from sill to head, and;
(ii) have a minimum aggregate width, in linear feet, of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total linear frontage of the first floor.
(.b) Where a building permit is required, replacement windows on existing structures facing a public right-of-way shall maintain at least ninety percent (90%) of the glazing for the windows that they replace.
(.c) Where a building permit is required, flush mounted windows shall be prohibited for all facades or portions of facades with masonry exteriors. In such facades, windows shall be inset a minimum of two inches from the exterior face. For all other facade materials, windows must either be recessed a minimum of two inches from the exterior face or they must include a head and sill or window surround of a contrasting material projecting from the adjacent exterior face of the facade by at least one inch.
(.2) Utilities.
New utility meters and HVAC equipment located on frontages shall be screened with landscaping, fences, or walls. Any other utility structures and their conduits facing a frontage shall be painted to match the wall or otherwise have their visibility minimized. This provision shall not apply to satellite dishes less than one meter in diameter or window air conditioning units.
(.3) Impervious Coverage.
The impervious coverage for front and rear yards shall not exceed fifty percent (50%). Open, roofed porches shall be excluded from this calculation.
(.4) Screening of Refuse Containers.
It is encouraged that new multifamily buildings provide interior trash storage areas, or exterior screened enclosures attached permanently to the building and installed into the ground so that waste receptacles are not visible from the public right-of-way. Such storage areas and enclosures shall not be permitted in the required front setback of a property or within the public right-of- way.
(.5) Cornices.
New semi-detached buildings shall include a cornice where the existing, attached structure includes a cornice. The depth, height and alignment of the new cornice shall match that of the existing, adjacent structure.
(.6) Porches. 466
(.a) Existing porches at the front of a building shall not be enclosed to make interior living space, unless enclosed with at least eighty percent (80%) of facade consisting of transparent glass.
(.b) Accessible or visitable units are exempt from the requirements of this subsection (.6).
(.7) Materials.
(.a) For new construction, the following building facade materials shall be prohibited on any facade that is visible from a public right-of-way – vinyl siding, horizontal aluminum siding, highly textured stucco, exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS), and concrete masonry units (CMU).
(.b) Retaining walls and garden walls located along a street frontage shall not be constructed of concrete masonry units (CMUs) unless capped and covered with stone, cultured stone, stucco, or brick.
(.c) Fences or fence walls located along a street frontage shall not be constructed of chain link or concrete masonry units (CMU).
(.d) New porches or decks erected in the front yard shall not be constructed of unpainted, pressure treated wood.
(.e) Projecting bay windows that face a street may not be constructed of stucco.
(d) Design Standards for Commercial Structures.
These regulations shall apply to commercially-zoned properties, unless covered by subsection (c).
(.1) Building Facades.
For all new construction and for all facade alterations that require a building permit, where a street frontage of a new building or building subject to facade alteration exceeds 20 ft. on a single street, the facade facing that street shall be broken up by at least one offset plane making up at least fifteen percent (15%) of that facade. Architectural features including, but not limited to, bay windows, cornices, recesses, overhangs, and any other variations in planes with a minimum dimension of at least 18 in., from the primary facade plane, may be used to meet this requirement.
(.2) Fenestration.
(.a) For new construction, windows of first floor habitable space, as defined in the Property Maintenance Code, Section PM-202, that face a street frontage shall:
(i) have an overall window height of at least 6 ft. from sill to head, and;
(ii) at the primary facade, have a minimum aggregate width in linear feet of at least sixty- six percent (66%) of the total linear frontage of the first floor.
(.3) Utilities.
New utility meters and HVAC equipment located on frontages shall be screened with landscaping, fences, or walls. Any other utility structures and their conduits facing a frontage shall be painted to match the wall or otherwise have their visibility minimized. This provision shall not apply to satellite dishes less than one meter in diameter or window air conditioning units.
(.4) Materials.
For new construction, the following front building facade materials shall be prohibited – vinyl siding, horizontal aluminum siding, highly textured stucco, exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS), and concrete masonry units (CMU).
Notes
465 | Added, Bill No. 170399 (approved July 11, 2017).
466 | Enrolled bill deleted former subsection (.a) but failed to renumber subsequent subsections; renumbered by Code editor.
(10) Wissahickon.
(a) Purpose.
The Wissahickon /NCO intends to protect the existing walkable and aesthetic character of the Wissahickon section of Philadelphia. Walkability serves the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens by providing human-scaled design, interesting and pedestrian friendly facades, and "eyes on the street", all in close proximity to useful commercial destinations, parks, and transit.
These blocks and streets were selected for their relatively intact historic pattern. The design of new buildings should be consistent with the character-defining features of this overlay district in terms of massing, vertical and horizontal articulation, fenestration proportions, and building materials.
(b) Applicability. 467.1
The Wissahickon /NCO applies to properties in the area bounded by Henry Avenue, Hermit Street, Ridge Avenue, and the Wissahickon Creek, except for the parcels located in the /RAN Ridge Avenue Neighborhoods Overlay district, as shown on the following map for illustrative purposes only.
[image omitted; see the official code]
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
(c) Zoning Regulations for Residential and Residentially-Zoned Structures.
These regulations shall apply to residentially-zoned properties and to properties permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Building Setback line.
The front setback shall be no further from the street than the furthest front facade of the principal building on any abutting lots on the same blockface and shall be located no closer to the primary street than the closest front facade of the principal building on any such abutting lots. If all such abutting lots are vacant, then the setback range shall be based on the building that is closest to the subject property and on the same blockface. Where there are not a sufficient number of lots that meet these criteria to establish a front setback, the front setback shall adhere to the standards set by the underlying zoning district.
(.2) Building Height.
(.a) If at least one abutting lot on either side of a house contains only two stories of habitable space, the stories above the second story of the house shall:
(i) Be set back an additional eight ft. from the minimum required setback; or
(ii) Incorporate a front facade mansard roof with a minimum slope of 15 degrees measured from the vertical plane of the front facade and a maximum dormer width of 7 ft., aligned on-center with second story windows below.
(.b) In no instance shall the maximum height of a house be greater than any house on an abutting lot with the same frontage that contains three stories of habitable space.
(.3) Porches.
Porches are permitted on all blocks and may be located in the required front setback. Porches shall be required if at least one of the immediately abutting lots with the same frontage contains a porch. Porches shall be a minimum of 5 ft. in depth, as measured from the front wall of the enclosed main structure, out toward the front property line.
(.4) Parking.
(.a) Parking in the front yard shall be prohibited.
(.b) Vehicular entryways of private residence parking garages that front on any street shall be prohibited, except when all immediately abutting lots with the same frontage contain existing structures with such vehicular entryways. In such instances, a vehicular entryway of a private residence parking garage that fronts on a street shall be permitted, provided it complies with all other applicable standards of this Zoning Code.
(.c) Curb cut width shall be limited to 12 ft.
(d) Design Standards for Residential and Residentially-Zoned Structures.
These regulations shall apply to residentially-zoned properties and to properties permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) The principal building shall have a habitable room on the front of the first floor with at least one entryway and one window facing the street. A habitable room shall be defined as in the Property Maintenance Code, Section PM-202.0.
(.2) New utility meters and HVAC equipment located on frontages shall be screened with landscaping, fences, or walls. Any other utility structures and their conduits facing a frontage shall be painted to match the wall or otherwise have their visibility minimized. This provision shall not apply to satellite dishes less than one meter in diameter or window air conditioning units.
(.3) Flush mounted windows shall be prohibited. Sills shall project from the wall a minimum of two inches.
(.4) Impervious Surface Coverage and Landscaping.
(.a) At least seventy percent (70%) of the front yard shall be covered with pervious planted material. 468
(.b) A street tree is required, in accordance with requirements of the Streets Department and the Department of Parks and Recreation.
(.5) Materials.
(.a) For new construction, the following front facade materials shall be prohibited: vinyl siding, aluminum siding, fiber cement siding, stone veneer, metal panels, and synthetic stucco.
(.b) Retaining walls and garden walls located along a street frontage shall not be constructed of concrete masonry units (CMUs) unless capped and covered with stone, cultured stone, stucco, or brick.
(.c) Fences or fence walls located along a street frontage shall be iron, stone, cultured stone, stucco, brick, painted wood, or finished wood. Chain link and vinyl fences are prohibited on frontages.
(.d) Windows in masonry, brick, brick veneer, or stone veneer walls, with or without stucco veneer, shall be inset a minimum of three inches.
(e) Design Standards for Commercial Structures. 469
These regulations shall apply to commercially-zoned or residentially-zoned properties used for commercial purposes.
(.1) Store frontages shall have a zero-step entry at the front door.
(.2) Store frontages shall have minimum fifty percent (50%) clear glass on the facade between the area 2 ft. and 10 ft. above the sidewalk.
(.3) Awnings on store frontages, if provided, shall be a minimum of 3 ft. in depth, as measured from the front facade of the building to the curb line.
Notes
467 | Added, Bill No. 180509 (approved July 18, 2018). Enrolled bill numbered this as (7); renumbered by Code editor.
467.1 | Amended, Bill No. 240421 (approved September 4, 2024).
468 | Amended, Bill No. 200576 (approved January 20, 2021).
469 | Enrolled bill numbered this as (c); renumbered by Code editor.
(11) Strawberry Mansion.
(a) Purpose.
The Strawberry Mansion /NCO is intended to maintain the predominantly two- and three-story rowhome neighborhood character and architectural heritage of the Strawberry Mansion section of Philadelphia. The design of the new buildings shall be consistent with the character defining features of this overlay district, in terms of height, massing, rooflines or cornices, vertical and horizontal articulation, porch construction, fenestration proportions, and building materials.
(b) Applicability. 471
The Strawberry Mansion /NCO applies to all lots in the area bounded by Lehigh Avenue, 29th Street, Dauphin Street, and 33rd Street, as shown on the following map ("Zone 1") for illustrative purposes only; to all lots in the area bounded by Dauphin Street, 29th Street, Norris Street, and 33rd Street, as shown on the following map ("Zone 2") for illustrative purposes only; to all lots in the area bounded by Norris Street, 29th Street, Sedgley Avenue, Montgomery Avenue, Conrail Right-of-Way, Oxford Street, and 33rd Street, as shown on the following map ("Zone 3") for illustrative purposes only; to all lots in the area bounded by 29th Street, York Street, and Sedgley Avenue ("Zone 4"); and to all lots bounded by Lehigh Avenue, Sedgley Avenue, York Street and 29th Street ("Zone 5").
[image omitted; see the official code]
{For printable PDF version of image, click HERE}
(c) Zoning Regulations for Residential and Residentially-Zoned Structures.
These regulations shall apply to residentially-zoned properties, regardless of use, and to properties permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Building Height.
(.a) On lots with frontage on at least one street with a width greater than or equal to 50 ft. and less than 75 ft., the height of any new structure shall not exceed 35 ft.
(.b) On lots with no frontage on streets with a width greater than or equal to 50 ft., the height of any new structure shall not exceed 25 ft.
(.2) Porches.
(.a) Porches are permitted and may be located in the required front setback. Porches shall be required if at least one of the immediately abutting lots with the same street frontage contains a porch in the area between the front facade of the primary structure and the front lot line; if the closest structure on the same street frontage contains a porch in the area between the front facade of the primary structure and the front lot line; or if two structures on the same street frontage are of an equal distance to the lot and at least one such structure contains a porch in the area between the front facade of the primary structure and the front lot line.
(.b) If a porch is located in the area between the front facade of the primary structure and the front lot line on one or more immediately abutting lot on the same street frontage, porches must match the depths, widths, setback depth, and roof heights of at least one of such porch.
(.c) Porches shall be a minimum of 6 ft. in depth, measured as the distance from the front facade of the primary structure to the front lot line.
(.3) Roof Decks.
Roof decks and roof deck access structures shall be prohibited.
(.4) Height and Density Bonuses.
Height and density bonuses and dwelling unit density bonus shall not be available to properties within the Strawberry Mansion /NCO.
(.5) Facade Design. 472
(.a) Building frontages that are more than 20 ft. wide must be broken up by offset planes, roofline variations, or other architectural features that may include bay windows.
(.b) Bay windows, whether used to satisfy subsection (.6)(.a) above or otherwise, shall be substantially consistent with the predominant design of bay windows that exist on the block face including, but not limited to, form, proportions of glazed area, and exterior materials.
(.c) Bay windows shall be prohibited on block faces wherein no existing structures include bay windows, except that bay windows shall be permitted on any building frontage that exceeds 20 ft. in width.
(.6) Front Entrances. 473
(.a) The vertical distance between the sidewalk and the bottom of the door threshold of the front entrance shall be no greater than that of the same measurement on any principal building that includes a front entrance on the same block face and that is located on an adjacent lot, not including any structures for which that measurement is less than one foot.
(.b) If there is no principal building that includes a front entrance on the same block face and that is located on an adjacent lot, then the vertical distance between the sidewalk and the bottom of the door threshold of the front entrance shall be no greater than that of the closest building that includes a front entrance on the same block face, not including any structures for which that measurement is less than one foot. If there is no such building, then there shall be no maximum vertical distance between the sidewalk and the bottom of the door threshold of the front entrance.
(d) Design Standards for Residential and Residential-Zoned Structures.
These regulations will apply to residential-zoned properties, regardless of use, and to properties that are permitted by L&I for exclusive residential use.
(.1) Materials.
(.a) For new construction or additions, including the construction of projecting bay or box windows, the following materials shall be prohibited on any facade that is visible from a public right-of-way: vinyl; stucco; horizontal aluminum; exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS); or concrete masonry units (CMU).
(.b) If the property is bounded by two or more streets, the facade materials along each street frontage shall be the same.
(.c) Fences and fence walls shall not be constructed of unfinished wood, vinyl, chain link, or concrete masonry units.
(.d) Retaining walls and garden walls located along a street frontage shall not be constructed of concrete masonry units unless capped and covered with stone, cultured stone, stucco, or brick.
(.e) Porches erected in the front yard shall not be constructed of unpainted, pressure treated wood or concrete masonry units.
(.2) Porch enclosures.
Porches at the front of the building shall not be enclosed to make interior living space, unless enclosed with at least eighty percent (80%) of the facade consisting of transparent glass.
(.3) Utilities.
New utility meters, HVAC equipment, located along building frontages shall be screened with landscaping, fences, or walls. Any other utility structures and their conduits facing a frontage shall be painted to match the wall or otherwise have their visibility minimized. This provision shall not apply to satellite dishes less than one meter in diameter or window air conditioning units.
(.4) Screening of Trash and Recycling Enclosures.
Trash and recycling enclosures visible from a public right-of-way shall be screened with landscaping, fences, or walls. Such enclosures shall be painted to match the wall of the residential building or otherwise have their visibility minimized.
(.5) Sheds.
Accessory storage sheds located in the front yard shall be screened with landscaping, fences, or walls.
Notes
470 | Added, Bill No. 200613 (approved January 27, 2021). Enrolled bill numbered this as (1); renumbered by Code editor.
471 | Amended, Bill No. 210668 (approved November 17, 2021); amended, Bill No. 220913 (approved January 10, 2023).
472 | Added, Bill No. 220913 (approved January 10, 2023). Enrolled bill numbered this as subsection (.6); renumbered by Code editor.
473 | Added, Bill No. 220913 (approved January 10, 2023). Enrolled bill numbered this as subsection (.7); renumbered by Code editor.
Source: City of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-290585Fetched: 10/27/2026