The case of Johnson v. Pocono Twp. Zoning Hearing Bd. & Pocono Twp., 1048 C.D. 2021 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Feb 07, 2024) addressed several key legal principles related to Pennsylvania short–term rental (colloquy “Airbnb”) zoning ordinances and property rights. This Pennsylvania Common Pleas Appeals Court case did two important things: First, it weighed in on an important question by deciding that a township’s zoning ordinance prohibiting...
Read More
A building permit is like a permission slip from the local government that gives you or your contractor the green light to start a construction or remodeling project on your property. It's a way of ensuring that the work follows the rules and regulations in your area. Securing the right permits for your home renovation can be a breeze when you know what to do. Skipping...
Read More
We previously wrote about changes to Philadelphia's zoning laws which now mandate holding either a Visitor Accommodation (VA) permit or a Limited Lodging License for short-term rental (STR) properties, which you can read about here. While the VA permit is less restrictive than the limited lodging license, obtaining approval for a VA permit can be challenging due to specific zoning district requirements. However, a recent...
Read More
Last week, I received phone calls from two clients, both of them in a panic. You see, in the last 7 years I had both assisted them with obtaining a lease and also assisted them with receiving zoning approvals for their spaces in Viking Mill in Kensington, a near 70,000 square foot building located at 2019-2053 E. Boston Street. I do not think it is...
Read More
One topic I get at least one call about per week is the accessory dwelling unit. While it’s a cool idea and awesome when it works, it’s a rare circumstance when it does, and they are not the backdoor to getting that duplex that you’ve been desperately searching for. Accessory Dwelling Units, or “ADU”s in zoning nerd speak, historically called granny flats or backyard cottages, are...
Read More
Philadelphia Zoning has been guiding clients and projects through the Special Inspections Program required as per the Building Code. Sometimes there is pushback, confusion, and questions regarding this program and how it affects a project, or wy and when it is needed. What is the Philadelphia Special Inspections Program? The special Inspections Program is a program designed to promote quality assurance in construction projects. It is designed...
Read More
Here are some of our tips for a smoothER* permit submission process. No guarantees when dealing with the city of Philadelphia, but these few conscious adjustments can go a LONG way. ESPECIALLY getting a proof of application and application number from your GC or whomever is applying on your behalf. ...
Read More
This post is a featured post for our #RCORants series. #RCORants showcases stories about the often harmful actions that take place among RCO's (Registered Community Organizations) in Philadelphia. The goal is to raise awareness about what goes on, stimulate a conversation, and ultimately improve the RCO system to create more accountability, equality, and fairness. "Not in my backyard." That might as well have been the answer that...
Read More
Understanding and figuring out the zoning of a property can be one of the most elusive feats, especially if you don't know where to look. There are free tools you can utilize to try to decipher the legal use, but it is usually unclear. There can be dozens and even hundreds of documents in the city's zoning archive, incomplete paper trails, and a slew of other...
Read More
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Going through the process to relocate lot lines for a lot consolidation or subdivision in Philadelphia has many steps. This post will walk you through the steps that you need to take and the associated estimated costs and timeline you can expect. Step 1: Get a Survey & New Legal Description(s) In order to start the process, you will need to have a civil engineer / land...
Read More