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BillENACTED

Bill 250709

Amending Section 9-4403 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Enforcement,” to provide for the continuation of nuisance business enforcement following a change in business, under certain terms and conditions.

Introduced Sep 11, 2025Committee on Licenses and InspectionsOfficial record: City of Philadelphia via Legistar

Introduced by

Councilmember Gilmore RichardsonCouncilmember Gilmore RichardsonCouncilmember PhillipsCouncilmember PhillipsCouncilmember O'NeillCouncilmember O'NeillCouncilmember BassCouncilmember Bass

How members voted

  1. Vote on Dec 4, 2025 · CITY COUNCIL

    Aye (16)

    Councilmember BassCouncilmember BrooksCouncilmember DriscollCouncilmember GauthierCouncilmember Gilmore RichardsonCouncilmember HarrityCouncilmember JonesCouncilmember LozadaCouncilmember O'NeillCouncilmember PhillipsCouncilmember SquillaCouncilmember 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. “…l members having voted in the affirmative. The bill passes. Will the clerk please read the title of Bill Number 250709?”

    Council President Johnson · Stated Meeting, December 4, 2025 · Dec 4, 2025 · official transcript, this passage

  2. “…strengthens with Class 3 offenses and meaningful penalties. This bill is worthy of being supported. Bill No. 250709 closes loopholes and hold successive businesses accountable. This bill is worthy of being supported. Bill 250834 gives youth, growing youth in the 7th District a voice as they come up and a chance, so this bill is worthy of being supported. Bill No. 250707 reduces development impact tax revenue, shiftin…”

    Ms. Cummings · Stated Meeting, November 20, 2025 · Nov 20, 2025 · official transcript, this passage

  3. “…penalties associated with stop work and cease operations orders under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 250709, an ordinance amending Section 9-4403 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled Enforcement, to provide for the continuation of nuisance business enforcement following a change in business under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 250722, an ordinance adding a new chapter, Chapter 21-3500 of the Philadelphi…”

    Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, October 23, 2025 · Oct 23, 2025 · official transcript, this passage

Status timeline

  1. Sep 11, 2025
    Introduced and Referred · CITY COUNCIL

    This Bill was Introduced and Referred.to the Committee on Licenses and Inspections

  2. Oct 20, 2025
    HEARING NOTICES SENT · Committee on Licenses and Inspections

    This Bill was HEARING NOTICES SENT.

  3. Oct 20, 2025
    HEARING HELD · Committee on Licenses and Inspections

    This Bill was HEARING HELD.

  4. Oct 20, 2025
    REPORTED FAVORABLY, RULE SUSPENSION REQUESTED · Committee on Licenses and Inspections

    This Bill was REPORTED FAVORABLY, RULE SUSPENSION REQUESTED.

  5. Oct 20, 2025
    AMENDED · Committee on Licenses and Inspections

    This Bill was AMENDED.

  6. Oct 23, 2025
    SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL · CITY COUNCIL

    This Bill was SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL.

  7. Oct 23, 2025
    ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR · CITY COUNCIL

    This Bill was ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR.

  8. Oct 23, 2025
    READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR · CITY COUNCIL

    This Bill was READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR.

  9. Dec 4, 2025
    READ AND PASSED · CITY COUNCIL

    Recorded result: Pass

    A motion was made that this Bill be READ AND PASSED. The motion carried by the following vote:

  10. Jan 7, 2026
    SIGNED · MAYOR

    This Bill was SIGNED.

Official documents

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

Full text

Read the full text as published

..Title Amending Section 9-4403 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Enforcement," to provide for the continuation of nuisance business enforcement following a change in business, under certain terms and conditions. ..Body THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Section 9-4403 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows: TITLE 9. REGULATION OF BUSINESSES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS * * * CHAPTER 9-4400. RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS OPERATIONS * * * � 9-4403. Enforcement. * * * (6) [Transfer of business ownership shall not terminate any Notice of Intent to Cease Operations, Cease Operations Order or nuisance abatement plan in effect with respect to a nuisance business. The acquiring business owner shall be responsible for compliance with any enforcement action pending against the nuisance business and prior business owner.] Change in the name, ownership or structure of a business subject to enforcement under this Section shall not relieve a successor business from liability if such successor business is merely a continuation of the prior business, conducts the same operations as the prior business in essentially an unchanged manner, or was established to escape liability under this Chapter. Such successor business shall be responsible for compliance with any notices and orders issued to, and any nuisance abatement plans executed by, the prior business. * * * ___________________________________ Explanation: [Brackets] indicate matter deleted. Italics indicate new matter added. ..End