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BillENACTED

Bill 250175

Amending Chapter 14-516 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “/WST, West Overlay District,” by providing for new digital sign controls; all under certain terms and conditions.

Introduced Mar 6, 2025Committee on RulesOfficial record: City of Philadelphia via Legistar

Introduced by

Councilmember GauthierCouncilmember Gauthier

How members voted

  1. Vote on Jun 5, 2025 · CITY COUNCIL

    Aye (16)

    Councilmember BassCouncilmember BrooksCouncilmember DriscollCouncilmember GauthierCouncilmember Gilmore RichardsonCouncilmember HarrityCouncilmember JonesCouncilmember LozadaCouncilmember O'NeillCouncilmember PhillipsCouncilmember SquillaCouncilmember ThomasCouncilmember AhmadCouncilmember LandauCouncilmember 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. “Bill No. 250175, an ordinance amending Chapter 5-16 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "/WST, West Overlay District," by providing for new digital sign controls, all under conditions. Bill No. 250371, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Powelton Avenue, Preston Street, Filbert Street and 41st Street, and to a…”

    Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, June 5, 2025 · Jun 5, 2025 · official transcript, this passage

  2. “The Committee on Rules to which were referred the following bills: Bill No. 250041, an ordinance amending Section 14-303 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Common Procedures and Requirements," by authorizing the Zoning Board of Adjustment to condition zoning approval upon provision of affordable housing, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 250175, an ordinance amending Chapter 14-516 of The Philadelphia Cod…”

    Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, May 29, 2025 · May 29, 2025 · official transcript, this passage

  3. “And pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill No. 250175, approval with amendments. Bill No. 250207, 250241, 250242, 250243, 250291, approval with amendments 250293, 45 days. 250333 and 250334, 35 -- 45 days. Council President, there are no further communications in…”

    Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, April 24, 2025 · Apr 24, 2025 · official transcript, this passage

Status timeline

  1. Mar 6, 2025Introduced and Referred · CITY COUNCIL
  2. May 21, 2025HEARING NOTICES SENT · Committee on Rules
  3. May 21, 2025HEARING HELD · Committee on Rules
  4. May 21, 2025AMENDED · Committee on Rules
  5. May 21, 2025REPORTED FAVORABLY, RULE SUSPENSION REQUESTED · Committee on Rules
  6. May 29, 2025ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR · CITY COUNCIL
  7. May 29, 2025SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL · CITY COUNCIL
  8. May 29, 2025READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR · CITY COUNCIL
  9. Jun 5, 2025READ AND PASSED · CITY COUNCIL
  10. Jun 18, 2025SIGNED · MAYOR

Official documents

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

Full text

Read the full text as published

..Title Amending Chapter 14-516 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "/WST, West Overlay District," by providing for new digital sign controls; all under certain terms and conditions. ..Body THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows: TITLE 14. ZONING AND PLANNING. * * * CHAPTER 500. OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT * * * � 14-516. /WST, West Overlay District. * * * (3) Subarea B. The following standards apply to Subarea B of the West Overlay District. * * * (d) Signs. (.1) Notwithstanding the provisions of � 14-904 (Accessory Sign Controls), for lots zoned CMX-5 located in the area bounded by 30th Street, Market Street, 31st Street (extended), and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, accessory digital display wall, projecting, and marquee signs shall be allowed, provided: (.a) The sign face shall not extend higher than the height of the building facade to which the sign is attached. (.b) Signs shall be located only on one facade of the building. (.2) Notwithstanding the provisions of � 14-904 (Accessory Sign Controls), the following additional provisions apply to the area bounded by John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 31st Street (extended), and Market Street: (.a) Vertical dimension of any digital display accessory sign shall not exceed 5 feet of active display area, and the top of the sign shall not exceed a height of 50 feet measured from average ground elevation. (.b) The maximum area of digital display accessory signs on each applicable street frontage shall not exceed 5 square feet for each 1 linear foot of lot line street frontage. (.c) The number of digital signs shall be limited to 3 accessory wall signs. (.d) Total digital sign street frontage shall not exceed 100 feet on the western lot line frontage, and 150 feet on the southern lot line frontage. (.e) Hours of display are limited to 6:00 AM and 12:00 AM. (.f) Primary illumination of the digital display accessory signs shall be internal and shall use ambient light sensors to automatically reduce the intensity of the illumination during periods of darkness. (.g) Accessory digital display signs shall be made available to display time, date, temperature, weather, and similar information; and public service announcements, and messages as the National Amber Alert System. SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately. _____________________________ Explanation: [Brackets] indicate matter deleted. Italics indicate new matter added. ..End