Philadelphia County aggressively enforces blight under the Vacant Property Strategy and Phila. Code Chapter 9-3900, including the Doors and Windows Ordinance requiring functional doors and windows on all vacant structures to prevent squatter access and deterioration.
The Philadelphia Doors and Windows Ordinance (Phila. Code 9-3902) requires vacant building owners to maintain operable doors and glazed windows (no plywood) to keep properties in the active housing stock. Vacant property owners must register annually with L&I under Phila. Code 9-3902(3) and pay a $300 annual registration fee. Blighted property designation under Phila. Code 9-1600 triggers municipal liens for unpaid maintenance costs and allows the Philadelphia Land Bank (created 2013) to acquire severely distressed parcels via Act 90 of 2010 conservatorship. The Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Act (53 P.S. 6101) permits denial of permits statewide to owners with serious code violations. L&I issues Imminently Dangerous designations for unsafe structures; owners have 30 days to remediate before city demolition at owner cost.
Plywood boarding violation: $300 per opening per day under Phila. Code 9-3902. Unregistered vacant property: $300 annual plus daily penalties. Blight violations: liens, Land Bank acquisition, Act 90 conservatorship.
See how Philadelphia County's property blight rules stack up against other locations.
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