Developers may build new streets, or be required to pave existing streets, as part of their work. Developers must follow specific processes in order for the City to take over maintenance of these streets.
Jump to:
Private paving of existing streets
Developers may be required to pave existing streets and then have the City take over maintenance. The Department of Streets’ Right of Way unit will provide conditional approval of plans. This conditional approval will specify if a Private Paving Agreement is required based on the City Code. If required, you must follow this process to execute a private paving agreement before starting construction.
The Streets Department will send you instructions and documents to start the private paving agreement. You will be provided with a work proposal listing the construction items and quantities using City replacement costs. The value of the work proposal will be used to determine the bonding amounts.
Sign and return the paving application and work proposal cover sheet.
Note that the paving contractor must be a PennDOT business partner. If needed, the Streets Department can provide you with a list of local PennDOT business partner paving contractors.
Obtain and send the Labor & Materialmen Bond, Performance Bond, Compensation Affidavit, and Maintenance Bond to the Streets Department.
The Law Department will draft a private paving agreement. The Streets Department will send you the agreement for your signature.
Mail the signed private paving agreement back to the Streets Department for execution. The agreement will be conformed, and an executed agreement will be sent to you. Soon after, the Streets Department will send you a Notice to Proceed.
After you receive a Notice to Proceed, you can begin paving and construction. The Streets Department will assign an inspector to your project.
Private construction and paving of new streets
Developers can build a street as part of their work and then have the City take over its maintenance. Before starting construction, you must follow this process:
For more information, learn how to get a site plan review.
PCPC will provide instructions on when and how to do this. The Department of Streets will then:
- Review the conceptual plan and send you comments.
- Develop a study plan for the affected area where the street will go.
- Draft an ordinance for City Council to put the street on the City Plan and dedicate it to the City. An ordinance to pave the street is also included.
L&I will not issue building permits until all pending ordinances have passed City Council.
Send 12 copies of the paving plan to 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 930, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
The Streets Department will review the plan internally and share it with the appropriate partners (for example, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation or utility companies). The Streets Department will compile all comments and revisions and send them to you.
You are responsible for obtaining any utility clearances. Once you receive the revisions from the Streets Department, you must make the necessary changes and submit two copies of the revised plan to the department.
Before the plan is approved, City Council must pass the City Plan and paving ordinances, and any ADA curb ramp designs must be approved by the Streets Department.
The Streets Department will mail you a letter once it approves the paving plan.
- You will receive instructions and documents to start the private paving agreement. You will be provided with a work proposal listing the construction items and quantities using City replacement costs. The value of the work proposal will be used to determine the bonding amounts.
- Sign and return the paving application and work proposal cover sheet. The paving contractor must be a PennDOT business partner. If needed, the Streets Department can provide you with a list of local PennDOT business partner paving contractors.
- Get and send the Labor & Materialmen Bond, Performance Bond, Compensation Affidavit, and Maintenance Bond to the Streets Department.
- The Law Department will draft a private paving agreement. The Streets Department will send you this agreement for your signature.
- Mail the signed private paving agreement back to the Streets Department for execution. The agreement will be conformed, and an executed agreement will be sent to you. Soon after, the Streets Department will send you a Notice to Proceed.
After you receive a Notice to Proceed, you can begin paving and construction. The Streets Department will assign an inspector to your project.
City requirements for accepting a privately paved or constructed street
When you finish construction, the Streets Department will accept the street only if:
- Construction complies with your approved plans and specifications.
- You completed the paving approval process properly.
- You have received inspection and approval of paving and all Work Proposal items.
Once the Streets Department accepts the street, the five-year maintenance bond will become effective.
Contact information
| Process | Streets Department contact | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Requests to change the City Plan | City Plans officer | (215) 686-5636 |
| Conceptual and final engineering plans | Projects control engineer | (215) 686-5524 |
| ADA curb ramp approvals | Projects control engineer and ADA coordinator | (215) 686-5524 (215) 686-5511 |
| Paving agreement and bonds processes | Public works manager | (215) 686-5512 |
| Permitting | Permits officer | (215) 686-5503 |
| Survey services | Survey bureau manager | (215) 686-5540 |
| Notice to proceed issuance, construction, inspection, and acceptance of the street | Highway district engineer | First district (215) 685-0170 Second district Third district Fourth district Fifth district Sixth district |