Zoning Report
Philadelphia, PA Zoning
Philadelphia regulates land use through Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, with a citywide system of base zoning districts, overlay zoning districts, use regulations, development standards, and parking/loading rules. The code is administered primarily through the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), with the Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) handling certain plan reviews and advisory functions, and the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) hearing appeals, special exceptions, and variances. The source material also indicates that overlays can modify the base district standards, which is especially important in areas affected by floodplain, steep slope, watershed, or neighborhood-specific controls.
Last researched May 2026
Zoning Districts in Philadelphia, PA
RSD, Residential Single-Family Detached Districts
Detached houses on individual lots.
Allowed uses: single-family detached dwellings
RSA, Residential Single-Family Attached Districts
Attached and semi-detached houses on individual lots.
Allowed uses: single-family attached dwellings, semi-detached houses
RTA, Residential Two-Family Attached Districts
Two-family, semi-detached houses on individual lots.
Allowed uses: two-family dwellings
RM, Residential Multi-Family Districts
Moderate- to high-density, multi-unit residential buildings.
Allowed uses: multifamily residential
RMX, Residential Mixed-Use Districts
Residential and mixed-use development, including master plan development.
Allowed uses: residential uses, mixed-use development
CMX-1, CMX-2, CMX-2.5 Neighborhood Commercial Mixed-Use Districts
Neighborhood-serving retail and service uses, including pedestrian-friendly retail commercial corridors.
Allowed uses: retail, service uses, mixed-use development
CMX-3 and CMX-4 Community Commercial Mixed-Use Districts
Community- and region-serving mixed-use development, including retail and service uses.
Allowed uses: retail, service uses, mixed-use development
CMX-5 Center City Commercial Mixed-Use District
Mixed-use development in the central core area of Center City.
Allowed uses: high-intensity mixed-use development, commercial uses, residential uses where allowed by code
IRMX, Industrial Residential Mixed-Use District
A mix of low-impact industrial, artisan industrial, residential, and neighborhood commercial uses.
Allowed uses: low-impact industrial, artisan industrial, residential, neighborhood commercial
ICMX, Industrial Commercial Mixed-Use District
Commercial and low-impact industrial uses.
Allowed uses: commercial uses, low-impact industrial uses
I-1, Light Industrial District
Low-impact uses including light industrial, fabrication, offices, and research and development.
Allowed uses: light industrial, fabrication, offices, research and development
I-2, Medium Industrial District
Light/moderate impact industrial uses including manufacturing, processing, and distribution.
Allowed uses: manufacturing, processing, distribution, industrial uses
I-3, Heavy Industrial District
Intensive, high-impact uses, including extractive industries and petroleum processing and storage.
Allowed uses: heavy industrial, extractive industries, petroleum processing and storage
SP-PO, Parks and Open Space District
Preserves and protects lands set aside for park and open space use.
Allowed uses: park use, open space use
SP-STA, Sports Stadium District
Large-scale specialized sporting facilities and associated large-capacity automobile parking areas.
Allowed uses: sporting facilities, associated parking
SP-INS, Institutional District
Institutional uses in accordance with an approved master plan.
Allowed uses: institutional uses
SP-AIR, Airport District
Airport uses and a complementary mix of uses, while minimizing impacts on surrounding areas.
Allowed uses: airport uses, complementary uses
Recent Zoning Changes
The provided research confirms that Philadelphia is operating under the 2026 current code and that the Philadelphia Zoning Code Base Districts Quick Guide was released on February 13, 2026. No specific adopted 2025-2026 zoning amendment text, rezoning ordinance, or pending bill details were included in the supplied source excerpts, so recent legislative changes should be verified directly with the City.
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