Philadelphia County requires property owners to maintain lots free of accumulated combustible vegetation, weeds, and debris under the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code. Vacant lot cleaning is enforced by the Department of Licenses and Inspections. No statewide wildfire defensible space rules apply.
Philadelphia Code Title 4, Subcode PM (Property Maintenance) requires exterior property areas to be kept free from weeds, plant growth over 10 inches, rubbish, and combustible materials. Vacant lots are a particular focus with the Vacant Lot Program under the Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP). Properties that are unmaintained may be cleaned by the city with costs assessed to the owner as a lien. Pennsylvania is not a wildfire urban-interface state like California, so defensible space rules do not apply.
Violation notices issued by L&I. Initial fine under Code Section PM-302 is $150 to $300. City may perform cleanup and bill property owner with lien on property. Repeat violations escalate to higher fines.
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia Code Title 12 prohibits parking recreational vehicles, trailers, and boats on city streets for more than 24 hours. No overnight on-street RV par...
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) enforces on-street parking under Phila Code Title 12. Residential Permit Parking program covers 35+ neighborhoods. Meter...
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia County does not impose routine outdoor water use restrictions. Philadelphia Water Department may issue voluntary conservation requests during dr...
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia County encourages native plants for landscaping under the Green City Clean Waters plan. Zoning Code Section 14-705 requires approved plant speci...
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia County limits grass and weeds to 10 inches on all residential and commercial properties under the Property Maintenance Code. Violations trigger ...
Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia County allows and encourages rainwater harvesting. Philadelphia Water Department offers Rain Check program with free or discounted rain barrels ...
See how Philadelphia County's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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