USE OF AN AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM TO IMPROVE SAFETY

Philadelphia Code tit. 12, ch. 12-3400

in effect

Philadelphia Code § 12-3401 Definitions.

§ 12-3401. Definitions. (1) Automated Speed Enforcement System. An electronic traffic sensor system that: is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; is able to automatically detect vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit with a type of speed timing device; and produces a recorded image which shows: (a) a clear and legible identification of the vehicle's license plate; (b) location; and (c) date and time. (2) The Vehicle Code. Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. (3) Recorded Image. An image recorded on a photograph, a digital image or any other image-capture technology.

Philadelphia Code § 12-3402 Speed Limit Violations Using Automated Enforcement.

§ 12-3402. Speed Limit Violations Using Automated Enforcement. The owner of a vehicle that is recorded by an automated speed enforcement system exceeding the posted speed limit established under Section 3362 of the Vehicle Code (relating to maximum speed limits) or under Section 3365(b) (relating to special speed limitations) by 11 miles per hour or more at a location designated and equipped pursuant to this Chapter is in violation of this Chapter and Section 3370 of the Vehicle Code (relating to automated speed enforcement on designated highways) or Section 3371 of the Vehicle Code (relating to automated speed enforcement in designated school zones), and subject to the fines and penalties established herein. Notes 461.1 | Amended, Bill No. 240434 (approved June 18, 2024); amended, Bill No. 250148 (approved May 7, 2025).

Philadelphia Code § 12-3403 Locations at Which an Automated System May Be Installed.

§ 12-3403. Locations at Which an Automated System May Be Installed. (1) An automated speed enforcement system may be used to enforce this Chapter on the following corridors: (a) U.S. Route 1 (Roosevelt Boulevard) at any location between Ninth Street and the Philadelphia County line shared with Bucks County that is approved by the Department of Streets, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Philadelphia Parking Authority. (b) Pennsylvania Route 611 (Broad Street) at any location between League Island Boulevard and the Philadelphia County line shared with Montgomery County that is identified by the Department of Streets and the Philadelphia Parking Authority in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. (c) Pennsylvania Route 13 at any location between the Philadelphia County line shared with Delaware County and the Philadelphia County line shared with Bucks County that is identified by the Department of Streets and the Philadelphia Parking Authority in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. 461.3 (d) Pennsylvania Route 1004 (Erie Avenue and Torresdale Avenue) at any location between Pennsylvania State Route 13 (Hunting Park Avenue) and Pennsylvania State Route 1016 (Linden Avenue) that is identified by the Department of Streets and the Philadelphia Parking Authority in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. 461.4 (e) Pennsylvania Route 2001 (Oregon Avenue, Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Delaware Avenue, and Richmond Street) at any location between Pennsylvania Route 611 (Broad Street) and Pennsylvania Route 1009 (Bridge Street) that is identified by the Department of Streets and the Philadelphia Parking Authority in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. 461.5 (f) Pennsylvania Route 2016 (Allegheny Avenue) at any location between Pennsylvania Route 3009 (Ridge Avenue) and Pennsylvania Route 1021 (Delaware Avenue) that is identified by the Department of Streets and the Philadelphia Parking Authority in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. 461.6 (2) No automated system shall be used on a corridor identified in subsection 12-3403(1) unless: (a) warning signs are conspicuously posted as follows: (.1) two signs warning that an automated speed system is in use shall be posted at the beginning, and two such signs shall be posted at the end, of the stretch of each corridor along which camera locations may be installed; (.2) two signs warning that an automated speed enforcement system is in use shall be posted at no greater than two-mile intervals along such stretch of each approved corridor; and (.3) at least one sign shall be posted before the area in which each automated speed enforcement device is used, providing notification that a device is in use immediately ahead; and (b) a notice identifying the location of the automated speed enforcement system is posted on the publicly accessible Internet website of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. 461.7 (3) An automated speed enforcement system may be used to enforce this Chapter at the following locations, provided that no more than five (5) of the following school zones operate an active automated speed enforcement system concurrently: (a) Visitation B.V.M. School zone on East Lehigh Avenue between B Street and Kensington Avenue. (b) John B. Stetson Middle School zone on East Allegheny Avenue between A Street and B Street. (c) KIPP North Philadelphia Charter School zone on 16th Street between Cumberland Street and Huntingdon Street. (d) Widener Memorial School zone on West Olney Avenue between Broad Street and 16th Street. (e) Northeast High School zone on Cottman Avenue between Algon Avenue and Glendale Avenue. (f) High School of the Future school zone on West Girard Avenue between 39th Street and 40th Street. (g) William L. Sayre High School zone on Walnut Street between 58th Street and 59th Street. (4) No automated system shall be operated in a school zone identified in subsection 12-3403(3) unless for each active school zone: (a) warning signs are conspicuously posted as follows: (.1) two signs warning that an automated speed system is active and in use shall be posted at the beginning, and two such signs shall be posted at the end, of the stretch of each school zone along which camera locations may be installed; and (.2) at least one sign shall be posted before the area in which each automated speed enforcement device is used, providing notification that a device is in use immediately ahead. (b) an official traffic-control device with a posted speed limit of no greater than 15 miles per hour is flashing as an indication that the designated school zone is active; and (c) a notice identifying the location of the automated speed enforcement system is posted on the publicly accessible Internet website of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. (5) The Philadelphia Parking Authority shall provide notice to the Department of Transportation thirty (30) days prior to the operation of an automated speed enforcement system at a designated school zone listed in subsection (3). (6) When an active automated speed enforcement system is operated at a designated school zone listed in subsection (3), fines for violations of this Chapter are not authorized until after thirty (30) days following commencement of active system operation. The Philadelphia Parking Authority may, however, issue written warnings for violations during the initial thirty days of active operation. Notes 461.2 | Amended, Bill No. 240434 (approved June 18, 2024); amended, Bill No. 250148 (approved May 7, 2025). 461.3 | Added, Bill No. 241030 (approved December 18, 2024). 461.4 | Added, Bill No. 250770 (approved October 29, 2025). 461.5 | Added, Bill No. 250770 (approved October 29, 2025). 461.6 | Added, Bill No. 250770 (approved October 29, 2025). 461.7 | Amended, Bill No. 241030 (approved December 18, 2024).

Philadelphia Code § 12-3404 Role of the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

§ 12-3404. Role of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. The Philadelphia Parking Authority is designated as the System Administrator to supervise and coordinate the administration of notices of violation issued under Section 3370 of The Vehicle Code and this Chapter.

Philadelphia Code § 12-3405 Notification of Violation.

§ 12-3405. Notification of Violation. (1) The Philadelphia Parking Authority shall prepare and mail a notice of violation addressed to the registered owner of a vehicle identified in a recorded image produced by an automated speed enforcement system as evidence of a violation of Section 3370 of the Vehicle Code and this Chapter. (2) The notice of violation must include: (a) the name of the registered owner of the vehicle; (b) registration number and state of issuance of the vehicle registration; (c) the date, time and place of the alleged violation; (d) a statement that the violation charged is under Sections 3362 and 3370 of the Vehicle Code and this Chapter; (e) the penalty for the violation; (f) a copy of the recorded image showing the vehicle; (g) the date on which the notice was mailed; and (h) instructions for return of the notice of violation, which shall read: "This notice shall be returned personally, by mail or by an agent duly authorized in writing, within 30 days of issuance. A hearing may be obtained upon the written request of the registered owner. Failure to return this notice or to request a hearing within 30 days of mailing of this notice shall be considered an admission of liability." (3) The notice of violation must be authenticated by a City police officer who swears or affirms that he or she has inspected the recorded images evidencing the violation and the information set forth in the notice of violation and that he or she has reason to believe the information contained in the notice of violation is true and correct. (4) In the case of a violation involving a motor vehicle registered under the laws of Pennsylvania, the notice of violation must be mailed within 30 days after the commission of the violation or within 30 days after the discovery of the identity of the registered owner, whichever is later, to the address of the registered owner as listed in the records of the Department of Transportation. (5) In the case of motor vehicles registered in jurisdictions other than Pennsylvania, the notice of violation must be mailed within 30 days after the discovery of the identity of the registered owner to the address of the registered owner as listed in the records of the jurisdiction having charge of the registration of the vehicle. A notice of violation under this Section must be provided to an owner within 90 days of the commission of the offense. (6) The provisions of Chapter 12-1400 shall not apply to this Chapter.

Philadelphia Code § 12-3406 Fines and penalties.

§ 12-3406. Fines and penalties. (1) Fines for a violation under this Chapter are as follows: (a) When the vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit by 11 miles per hour or more, but by less than 20 miles per hour, one hundred dollars ($100). (b) When the vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit by 20 miles per hour or more, but by less than 30 miles per hour, one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125). (c) When the vehicle exceeds the posted speed limit by 30 miles per hour or more, one hundred fifty dollars ($150). (d) No more than three violation notices establishing fines shall be issued for violations occurring within any thirty-minute period, provided that the notices issued shall be for the violations within such period with the highest corresponding fine amounts. (2) Additional Penalties. (a) Additional penalties for failure to answer a notice of violation by payment of the fine or requesting a hearing regarding the notice of violation are as follows: (.a) twenty dollars ($20) for each notice which remains unanswered for more than 30 days from issuance; (.b) an additional twenty-five dollars ($25) for each notice which remains unanswered for more than 60 days from issuance; and (.c) an additional thirty dollars ($30) for each notice which remains unanswered for more than 90 days from issuance.

Philadelphia Code § 12-3407 Admission of Responsibility and Payment of Fine.

§ 12-3407. Admission of Responsibility and Payment of Fine. An owner to whom a notice of violation has been issued may admit responsibility for the violation and pay the fine set forth in the notice, and any applicable penalties, pursuant to payment terms set forth in the notice. Payment of the established fine and any applicable penalties shall operate as a final disposition of the case.

Philadelphia Code § 12-3408 Defenses to Liability.

§ 12-3408. Defenses to Liability. (1) No vehicle owner shall be liable pursuant to this Chapter if he or she has been issued a violation notice pursuant to Section 3362 of the Vehicle Code for the same incident of conduct. (2) It shall be a defense to a violation under this Chapter that: (a) the person receiving the notice of violation was not the owner of the vehicle at the time of the offense; (b) the person named in the notice of the violation was not operating the vehicle at the time of the violation, based on the submission of evidence. To raise such a defense, the owner is not required to disclose the identity of the operator of the vehicle at the time of the violation; (c) the vehicle was reported stolen to a state or municipal police department prior to the time the violation occurred and was not recovered before the violation; or (d) the device being used to determine speed was not in compliance with Section 3368 of the Vehicle Code (relating to speed timing devices) with respect to testing for accuracy, certification or calibration.

Philadelphia Code § 12-3409 Request for a Hearing.

§ 12-3409. Request for a Hearing. (1) An owner to whom a notice of violation has been issued may, within 30 days of the mailing of the notice, request a hearing to contest the liability alleged in the notice. A hearing request must be made by appearing before the Parking Authority during regular office hours either personally or by an authorized agent or by mailing a request in writing. (2) Upon receipt of a hearing request, the matter shall be scheduled before a hearing officer appointed by the Director of Finance. Written notice of the date, time and place of hearing must be sent by first-class mail to the owner. (3) Hearings pursuant to this Chapter shall be conducted pursuant to 2 Pa. C.S. Ch. 5 (relating to practice and procedure) and will be subject to appeal pursuant to 2 Pa. C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to judicial review). (4) At a hearing pursuant to this Chapter, no evidence of violation need be submitted other than the following, which shall be admissible in such hearing: (a) the notice of violation, including the recorded image evidencing the violation, which shall be prima facie evidence of the facts contained in it, provided that: (i) it contains the required authentication of the City police officer; and that (ii) written documentation is provided that the automated speed enforcement system was operating correctly at the time of the alleged violation and has been tested for accuracy at regular intervals as designated by the Department of Transportation; and (b) information from a state department of transportation or motor vehicles identifying the owner of the vehicle. (5) The police officer who signed the authentication shall not be required to appear at the hearing unless the hearing officer determines that the officer's presence is required. The hearing officer may grant a reasonable continuance if the officer is not available at the time of hearing. (6) The Parking Authority shall provide the owner with notice of the decision of the hearing officer, together with any reasons provided by the hearing officer, and advise the owner of his or her right to appeal the decision of the hearing officer in court. (7) The Director of Finance has the authority to provide by regulation for additional rules for the hearing and determination of cases involving violations under this Chapter.

Philadelphia Code § 12-3410 Limitations.

§ 12-3410. Limitations. Use and maintenance of: an automated speed enforcement system; the images obtained in the use of such a system; and registered vehicle owner information obtained in connection with use of such a system shall be subject to the protections and limitations set forth in Section 3370(f) and Section 3371(f) of The Vehicle Code, as applicable. Notes 461.8 | Amended, Bill No. 250148 (approved May 7, 2025).

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/0-0-0-286373Fetched: 10/27/2026