The Philadelphia City Planning Commission is working with community groups to update zoning along Fairmount Avenue between Broad Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. We want your input on these updates so that we can learn about the community’s perspective.
What is Zoning?
Zoning is the primary tool for regulating land use. Zoning is a set of regulations governing land development and permitted uses for property. These laws regulate what type of uses can occur (use), where buildings can be located on a property (area), and the size of the building (bulk). Existing properties may not conform with zoning regulations if they have received a variance for their use, area, or bulk, or if they legally existed before the zoning laws being enacted. Zoning Maps divide a community into different Zoning Districts, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and special purpose. Become familiar with Philadelphia’s Zoning Districts with our Zoning Quick Guide or watch this short video introduction to zoning.
How Do I Find Out How My Neighborhood is Zoned?
Zoning Maps show what Zoning District applies to a property. They can be found online at atlas.phila.gov under the zoning tab on the left side of the screen. The Zoning Code applies the rules of how properties in each district may be used and built on.
Why Would We Change the Zoning?
The Philadelphia City Planning Commission is in the process of updating zoning in neighborhoods throughout the city. These proposed changes will help meet community goals for how a neighborhood should change. Your neighbors helped define these goals in the Central District Plan in 2013.
What is the Area?
The focus area is parcels facing Fairmount Avenue between Broad Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The goal is to make sure properties have the correct zoning for their current and potential future use, and to ensure that Fairmount Avenue can maintain its unique character.
How Can I Get Involved?
To add your voice, please take the survey linked below and attend our first community meeting on November 12, 2026, 5:30-7:30 P.M., at St. Andrew’s Church Hall. Our hope is to have multiple community meeting throughout this process to update the public and to receive more feedback.
Meeting 1: November 12, 2026 – Zoning basics and project information
If you are unable to attend a meeting, we will post meeting materials on this web page after each meeting.
