/VDO, Fifth District Overlay District.
Philadelphia Code § 14-529
in effect§ 14-529. /VDO, Fifth District Overlay District.
Notes
574 | Added, Bill No. 210078-A (approved April 28, 2021).
(1) Applicability.
The Fifth District Overlay District applies to lots located within District No. 5, as defined in Section 20-501 (Boundaries of Districts).
(2) Minimum Lot Area.
(a) In the CMX-2 district, the number of permitted dwelling units is as follows, provided that, whenever the calculation of permitted number of dwelling units results in a fraction of a dwelling unit, then the number of permitted dwelling units shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number:
(.1) A maximum of two dwelling units are permitted for lots less than 1,440 sq. ft. in area;
(.2) A maximum of three dwelling units are permitted for lots that are 1,440 sq. ft. to 1,919 sq. ft. in area; and a minimum of 480 sq. ft. of lot area is required per dwelling unit for the lot area in excess of 1,919 sq. ft.
Notes
574.1 | Amended, Bill No. 250432 (approved June 13, 2025).
(3) Accessory Dwelling Units.
Accessory dwelling units shall not be permitted in the RSA-5 and CMX-1 zoning districts, except within buildings or structures that meet the conditions of § 14-604(11)(d)(.1) (Historic Structures).
(4) Reserved.
Notes
575 | Added, Bill No. 210667 (approved November 17, 2021); deleted, Bill No. 250432 (approved June 13, 2025).
(5) Reserved.
Notes
576 | Added, Bill No. 220414 (approved September 13, 2022). For effective date provisions, see note 165. Deleted, Bill No. 240244 (approved May 22, 2024).
(6) Neighborhood Overlay Subareas.
(a) Brewerytown-Sharswood/Celestial Community.
(.1) Applicability.
The Brewerytown-Sharswood District Subarea shall consist of all residentially-zoned lots within the boundaries of Cecil B Moore Avenue, 25th Street, Ridge Avenue, 19th Street, Poplar Street, Poplar Drive, Girard Avenue, 33rd Street, Oxford Street and Conrail Right-of-Way.
(.2) Height Regulation.
(.a) The maximum height shall be equal to the height of the tallest building located on any abutting lot.
(.b) If there is no abutting lot, no building on any abutting lot, or the tallest building located on any abutting lot has a height greater than 35 ft., the maximum height shall be 35 ft. or a height equal to the majority of the buildings existing within that block.
(.3) Roof Decks.
Roof decks and roof deck access structures shall be prohibited.
Notes
577 | Added, Bill No. 230574-A (became law November 30, 2023).
(7) Use Regulations.
Roof decks for non-residential uses are permitted within the area bounded by Callowhill Street, 19th Street, Wood Street, 18th Street, Vine Street, and 20th Street.
Notes
578 | Added, Bill No. 230770 (approved December 20, 2023). Enrolled bill numbered this as subsection (6); renumbered by Code editor.
(8) Supplemental Use Regulations.
(a) Commercial Review Areas.
Notwithstanding the principal uses allowed within the Commercial Review Area, the following uses shall require a Special Exception:
(.1) Retail Sale of Consumer Goods:
(.a) on W. Girard Avenue, both sides from W. College Avenue to 29th Street;
(.b) on W. Fairmount Avenue, both sides, from W. Broad Street to 24th Street;
(.c) Broad Street, both sides from Spring Garden Street to Poplar Street;
(.d) Ridge Avenue between Broad Street and W. Girard Avenue.
Notes
578.1 | Added, Bill No. 250988 (approved February 24, 2026), effective April 25, 2026.
(9) Building Requirements to Prevent Vacant Lots.
No building permits shall be issued for the demolition of a principal building located within the /VDO, Fifth District Overlay District unless a building permit has been issued for the construction or expansion of a new or existing principal building on the same lot.
(a) This § 14-529(9) shall not apply if such a demolition is necessary to abate an imminently dangerous condition as determined by the Department of Licenses and Inspections; or 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.
(b) This § 14-529(9) shall not apply to parcels zoned CMX-3, CMX-4 and CMX-5.
Notes
578.2 | Added, Bill No. 250917-A (approved March 25, 2026). Enrolled bill numbered this as subsection (8); 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/0-0-0-291843Fetched: 10/27/2026