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, PA
Philadelphia regulates on-street parking through the Philadelphia Parking Authority under Phila. Code Title 12. Residential Permit Parking (RPP) districts re...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. Title 4 PM Code requires property maintenance but does not address orn...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, lighting, and blower noise are governed by condo/HOA covenants. ...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA/condo covenants ...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia requires building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas lines, electrical wiring, plumbing, or structural roofs. Trade permits filed through L+I...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia has no specific smoker ordinance, but Air Management Services under Title 3-204 prohibits open burning and limits visible emissions. PA DEP regu...
See how Philadelphia's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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