Philadelphia, PA Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)

Under the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code, doors giving access to a dwelling unit, rooming unit or housekeeping unit that is rented, leased or let must be equipped with a deadbolt lock that's readily openable from the egress side without keys, special knowledge or effort, with a lock throw of at least 1 inch. The code explicitly disqualifies a sliding bolt as an acceptable deadbolt. The same section requires window sash locking devices on ground-level operable windows within 6 feet of grade and secure devices on basement hatchways serving rental units. Locks on egress doors are separately governed by PM-702.3, which requires means-of-egress doors to be readily openable from the inside without a key.