Zoning Process

We here at Philadelphia Zoning like to think we have answers for you.  We tell you we can saw through forests of red tape, and we mean it.  But sometimes, we get a question that has about a hundred different answers.  "How much does a permit cost?" is one of those questions.   There are a few reasons why such a simple question has so many different answers.   First,...

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You’ve just decided to apply for a Zoning Permit for a new house.  This Zoning Permit is not by right; meaning that you’re asking to create a building that doesn’t conform to the Philadelphia Code.  This means you’ll be issued a form called a Refusal.  (If this is too confusing already, check out our primer on zoning in Philly.)   You know all of that, and you’re...

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Philadelphia Zoning - Developing Your Dreams

Zoning in Philadelphia is a strange enterprise.  The ideas behind it are simple, and the people working the desks downtown are generally helpful and clear.  But in practice, it can be quite confusing.  This little overview probably won’t make the strange details of zoning any less confusing, but it may give you a clearer picture of the overall structure of zoning complaints, requests, and applications...

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Zoning in Philadelphia is a strange enterprise.  The ideas behind it are simple, and the people working the desks downtown are generally helpful and clear.  But in practice, it can be quite confusing.  This little overview probably won’t make the strange details of zoning any less confusing, but it may give you a clearer picture of the overall structure of zoning complaints, requests, and applications...

Read More