TERMS OF OFFICE

Philadelphia Home Rule Charter art. III, ch. 4

in effect

Philadelphia Home Rule Charter § 3-400 Mayor.

§ 3-400. Mayor. The Mayor shall serve for a term of four years beginning on the first Monday of January following the Mayor's election. The Mayor shall not be eligible for election for more than two successive terms; and the Mayor shall not during the Mayor's term of office be a candidate for any other elective office whatsoever. Should the Mayor announce candidacy for any other office, the Mayor shall be automatically disqualified to continue to serve as Mayor, and the office shall be deemed vacant. ANNOTATION Sources: As to term of office, Act of June 25, 1919, P.L. 581, Article II, Section 2, as amended. Purposes: While the Mayor is given the present four year term of office, two limitations are imposed: 1. His successive terms are limited to two terms. He may be elected to serve for a total of two terms of four years each when one follows the other. He may not be elected for the next term following although if he is out of office thereafter for a term or more he may again be elected as Mayor and re-elected for a successive term. Should he fill a vacancy other than by election, he may still serve in addition thereto, two successive terms of four years each by election. 2. The other limitation, of his office being vacated by his becoming a candidate for another elective office, will prevent a Mayor from neglecting the duties of his office as Mayor while he seeks election to another office. It will also tend to avoid official decisions of a Mayor from being influenced by conflicting interests which might arise if he were, while Mayor, a candidate for another public office. The nomination for an office at a primary election or the Mayor's announcement at any time that he is a candidate for another office will serve to vacate his office. Notes 85 | Amended by approval of the voters at the election held on May 17, 2022, and certified on June 6, 2022. See Bill No. 220001 (approved February 25, 2022); Resolution No. 220009 (adopted February 24, 2022).

Philadelphia Home Rule Charter § 3-401 City Controller.

§ 3-401. City Controller. The term of the City Controller shall be that provided by law. ANNOTATION Sources: Act of June 25, 1919, P.L. 581, Article XII, Section 1. Purposes: The term of the City Controller continues to be as at present. See Annotation to Section 3-201.

Philadelphia Home Rule Charter § 3-402 City Treasurer.

§ 3-402. City Treasurer. As long as the City Treasurer is an elective officer, the term of the City Treasurer shall be that provided by law. ANNOTATION Sources: Act of June 25, 1919, P.L. 581, Article XI, Section 1. Purposes: Until the office of City Treasurer becomes an appointive one, his term continues to be as at present. See Annotation to Section 3-202. When his office becomes an appointive one, he will serve at the pleasure of the appointing power. See Section 3-404. Notes 86 | Amended by approval of the voters at the election held on May 17, 2022, and certified on June 6, 2022. See Bill No. 220001 (approved February 25, 2022); Resolution No. 220009 (adopted February 24, 2022).

Philadelphia Home Rule Charter § 3-403 Managing Director.

§ 3-403. Managing Director. The term of office of the Managing Director shall be four years and shall coincide with the term for which a Mayor is elected every four years as provided for in this charter. ANNOTATION Sources: No specific source. Purposes: Two considerations were sought to be balanced in fixing a term of office for a Managing Director: the importance of his position to the people of the City as the supervisor of the service departments; the importance of his relationship to the Mayor as the Mayor's personal assistant. The first consideration prompted the fixing of a definite term of four years for the Managing Director. This will help to obtain an official of high calibre and extensive experience because a measure of security of tenure of office is offered. The other consideration prompted the requirement that the Managing Director's term of office coincide with that of the Mayor who appoints him. Thus, in most instances, a Mayor will have serving as a Managing Director one whom he appointed to office. However, should a Mayor elected for a four year term not complete his term, his successor would have a Managing Director who had been appointed by his predecessor. This was necessary to assure to a Managing Director a minimum term of four years unless he is sooner removed from office under conditions specified in Section 9-201.

Philadelphia Home Rule Charter § 3-404 All Other Officers.

§ 3-404. All Other Officers. Except as expressly otherwise provided in this charter, all appointed officers and all members and all officers of boards and commissions shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing power and until their successors are qualified. ANNOTATION Sources: Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Article VI, Section 4. Purposes: With certain exceptions (see Article IX, Chapter 2), every appointive officer of the City serves at the pleasure of his appointing power and until his successor is qualified. For, apart from Constitutional compulsion, the interests of good and harmonious government generally require that an appointing power be able to remove an appointee when an consideration arises requiring removal, provided the appointing power bears the responsibility and remains accountable for his action.

Philadelphia Home Rule Charter § 3-405 Insurance Public Advocate.

§ 3-405. Insurance Public Advocate. The Insurance Public Advocate shall serve for a term of five (5) years, and may be removed by the Mayor prior to the expiration of a term only for cause. Before the Insurance Public Advocate is removed, the Insurance Public Advocate must be provided with a written statement of the reasons for removal, and shall be given the opportunity for a hearing before the Mayor. _______________ Notes 87 | Added by approval of the voters at the election held on November 4, 2003 and certified on December 1, 2003. See Bill No. 030220 (approved May 15, 2003); Resolution No. 030231 (adopted May 1, 2003).

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/0-0-0-264078Fetched: 10/27/2026