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BillENACTED

Bill 240371

Amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code,” by amending Subcode “PM” (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code), to add restrictions and remedies regarding encroaching trees, under certain terms and conditions.

Introduced May 2, 2024Committee on Licenses and InspectionsOfficial record: City of Philadelphia via Legistar

Introduced by

Councilmember PhillipsCouncilmember PhillipsCouncilmember O'NeillCouncilmember O'NeillCouncilmember BassCouncilmember Bass

How members voted

  1. Vote on Jun 13, 2024 · CITY COUNCIL

    Aye (17)

    Councilmember BassCouncilmember BrooksCouncilmember DriscollCouncilmember GauthierCouncilmember Gilmore RichardsonCouncilmember HarrityCouncilmember JonesCouncilmember LozadaCouncilmember O'NeillCouncilmember PhillipsCouncilmember SquillaCouncilmember ThomasCouncilmember AhmadCouncilmember LandauCouncilmember O'RourkeCouncilmember YoungCouncil President Johnson

From the floor

Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.

  1. “So good afternoon, Council. First and foremost, I want to thank Councilman Anthony Phillips for finally hearing the concerns of the residents on my block. I live in Oxford Circle. I've lived in Philadelphia my whole entire life and raised my three kids here. I've lived on Marcella Street for 30 years. For 20 of those 30 years, I've had to look at this tree that is in front. Thank you, Councilman, for making these pic…”

    Ms. Coppinger · Stated Meeting, June 13, 2024 · Jun 13, 2024 · official transcript, this passage

  2. “Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240371.”

    Council President Johnson · Stated Meeting, June 13, 2024 · Jun 13, 2024 · official transcript, this passage

  3. “The Committee to which was referred the following bills: Bill No. 240371, entitled Amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by amending Subcode "PM" (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code), to add restrictions and remedies regarding encroaching trees, under certain terms and conditions; and Bill No. 240414, entitled Amending Chapter 9-600 of…”

    Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, June 6, 2024 · Jun 6, 2024 · official transcript, this passage

Status timeline

  1. May 2, 2024Introduced and Referred · CITY COUNCIL
  2. Jun 3, 2024HEARING NOTICES SENT · Committee on Licenses and Inspections
  3. Jun 3, 2024HEARING HELD · Committee on Licenses and Inspections
  4. Jun 3, 2024AMENDED · Committee on Licenses and Inspections
  5. Jun 3, 2024REPORTED FAVORABLY, RULE SUSPENSION REQUESTED · Committee on Licenses and Inspections
  6. Jun 6, 2024SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL · CITY COUNCIL
  7. Jun 6, 2024ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR · CITY COUNCIL
  8. Jun 6, 2024READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR · CITY COUNCIL
  9. Jun 13, 2024READ AND PASSED · CITY COUNCIL
  10. Jun 26, 2024SIGNED · MAYOR

Official documents

Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.

Full text

Read the full text as published

..Title Amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by amending Subcode "PM" (The Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code), to add restrictions and remedies regarding encroaching trees, under certain terms and conditions. ..Body THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows: TITLE 4. THE PHILADELPHIA BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND OCCUPANCY CODE * * * SUBCODE "PM" (THE PHILADELPHIA PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE) * * * SECTION PM-302 EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS * * * PM-302.10 Encroaching Trees. No person shall allow any tree on his or her property to overhang or rest on the property of another person if the tree (i) is dead, weakened or decayed such that a significant portion of the tree could reasonably be expected to fall or come to rest on the property of another person or (ii) otherwise encroaches in a manner that harms or is likely to harm the other's property. CLIP may serve notice of violation with sixty (60) days to cure the violation. Upon failure of the tree owner to abate the encroachment after service of a notice of violation, CLIP shall be authorized, itself or by contract, to prune or remove the encroaching tree to the extent necessary to cure the violation and the owner of the tree shall be liable for the costs of such work. This provision shall not apply to any Street Tree consistent with the provisions of Section 15-203 of The Philadelphia Code. SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately. ..End