Deborah McColloch, Director: 1234 Market St., 17th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107
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Building in Philadelphia
Government
We recommend that you start by contacting the councilperson for the area. If you need a zoning change or a street placed on the City Plan, you will need the councilperson to introduce legislation into City Council. Working proactively to engage District Council members can save time in the development schedule. Each council office has a staff member responsible for zoning who attends the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s hearings. Council persons are listed at right.

City Agencies
The residential development approval process for the City of Philadelphia may involve working with a number of public agencies. This website covers those agencies, describes their roles and provides contact numbers.

Click here to view this process.

Planning
Most plans for development require the review of the City Planning Commission. At your request, Planning Commission staff will review your plans prior to any formal submission. The Zoning Unit of the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) will review plans over the counter. At your request, L&I will schedule a meeting with you to review construction plans.
Call the L&I Commissioner’s office at 215-686-2400.
Click here to connect to the City Planning Commission

Private
There are independent agencies that can assist you: the Building Industry Association and the American Institute of Architects. Contact information below.

  • American Institute for Architects – Philadelphia (AIA)
    A members’ association for architects.
    117 S. 17th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
    215-569-3786
    www.aiaphila.org
  • American Society of Civil Engineers
    Non-profit organization: promotes green building and community interaction.
    P.O. Box 58186, Philadelphia, PA 19102
    800-461-4190
    www.asce-philly.org
  • Building Industry Association of Philadelphia (BIA)
    Provides networking opportunities.
    1735 Market St., Suite A 432, Philadelphia, PA 19103
    215-427-9666
    www.biaofphiladelphia.com

State
State law requires that developers/contractors call 3 days before beginning construction. The purpose is to prevent damage to underground facilities, to promote safety among designers, excavators, and facility owners.
Pennsylvania One Call System: click here
Stop—Call Before You Dig! 800-242-1776

City Council

City Council President
Darrell L. Clarke 215-686-2070

District Council Members
#1 Mark Squilla 215-686-3458
#2 Kenyatta Johnson 215-686-3412
#3 Jannie L. Blackwell 215-686-3418
#4 Curtis Jones, Jr. 215-686-3416
#5 Darrell L. Clarke 215-686-3442
#6 Bobby Henon 215-686-3444
#7 Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez 215-686-3448
#8 Cindy Bass 215-686-3424
#9 Marian B. Tasco 215-686-3454
#10 Brian J. O’Neill 215-686-3422

Council Members-At-Large
Blondell Reynolds-Brown 215-686-3438
W. Wilson Goode, Jr. 215-686-3414
Bill Green 215-686-3420
William K. Greenlee 215-686-3446
Dennis O'Brien 215-686-3452
James Kenney 215-686-3440
David Oh 215-686-3452

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