The Air Pollution Control Board advises the Department of Public Health on air quality issues and promotes regulations that protect air quality standards, control air contaminants, and establish air quality objectives.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Quarterly meetings.

The Board of Building Standards reviews appeals related to building safety and the application of the City’s Building Code, makes recommendations on regulations and standards to the commissioner of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), and reviews new building products for compliance with City safety standards. The board also hears appeals related to structures cited by L&I as being unsafe or imminently dangerous.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Meetings held twice per month.

The Board of Ethics (BOE) administers and enforces the City’s public integrity laws. The BOE focuses on financial disclosures, campaign finance rules, lobbying, gifts and gratuities, conflicts of interest, post-employment activities and representation, and political activity restrictions for City employees and officials. The Board of Ethics also advises on possible ethics violations, educates others on rules and regulations, conducts investigations, and enforces ethics rules.

• Compensation: None
• Meeting frequency: Monthly public meetings and monthly executive meetings. Both are about an hour long.

The Board of Health approves and promotes the Department of Public Health’s regulations. These regulations establish standards to control public health hazards and protect Philadelphians’ health. Board members review advances in public health to ensure regulations reflect best practices.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Quarterly meetings.

The Board of Labor Standards reviews and rules on matters related to enforcement of the City’s worker protection laws. These include violations related to wage theft and sick leave, among others.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings. Evidentiary hearings as needed.

The Board of License and Inspection Review (BLIR) hears appeals of permits, violations, and notices issued by City agencies. Additionally, the board affirms or modifies property violation decisions and hears appeals for licenses to carry firearms and firearm license revocations.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Code appeals are every other Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. Firearm appeals are on opposite Tuesdays. Hearings are from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., plus a review period usually the day before a hearing.

The Board of Pensions and Retirement manages the the City’s pension fund, ensuring there’s enough money to pay out to those who have earned benefits. The Home Rule Charter requires that the pension fund is always able to cover current and future payments to people who have paid into the fund.

To do this, the board oversees all pension contributions from current employees and all benefit payments made to eligible people who have left City service. The board also makes sure the right decisions are made to keep the pension fund healthy.

• Compensation: None
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings.

The Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT) hears property assessment appeals. The Office of Property Assessment (OPA) decides the dollar-value of every piece of real estate within Philadelphia, and that value determines how much property tax is owed. Owners who disagree with the OPA can file an appeal with the BRT.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Appeal hearings every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

The Board of Safety and Fire Prevention (BOSFP) hears appeals of violations of the Philadelphia Fire Code issued to a property owner by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). The board makes recommendations on the appeals to the fire commissioner. Additionally, the board offers advice on the interpretation and the application of the Philadelphia Fire Code on various matters associated with fire safety and prevention.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings.

The Board of Surveyors consists of Department of Streets leadership and staff. The board’s responsibilities include holding public hearings on changes to street system plans, confirming or rejecting plans or revisions to the street system, and approving bridge, street railway, and railroad plans, and grade crossing elimination projects.

• Compensation: None
• Meeting frequency: The board meets on the first and third Monday of the month.

The Citizens Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) oversees and investigates the conduct, policies, and practices of the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD). CPOC provides recommendations that improve the police department to the mayor, the managing director, and the police commissioner.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Public meetings on the first of each month. Community town halls are held on the third Tuesday of each month. Hearings are held as necessary.

The Citizens Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) Nominating Panel nominates and interviews qualified candidates for CPOC. The panel is composed of individuals with established backgrounds in civic and community engagement.

• Compensation: None
• Meeting frequency: Panel meetings when necessary.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) advises the mayor and the director of human resources on personnel administration in City service. The CSC serves as an appellate tribunal for employee appeals.

The CSC also rules on proposed changes to the Civil Service Regulations and the Classification and Pay Plans. Additionally, the CSC rules on requests for exemptions from civil service and waivers of the residency requirement.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings. Employee hearings as necessary.

The Civil Service Commission Nominating Panel recommends individuals for the mayor to appoint as civil service commissioners. The panel is composed of representatives of organizations interested in and concerned with good government and personnel and labor practices, and the attainment of a true merit system of City employment.

• Compensation: None
• Meeting frequency: Panel meetings when necessary.

The Fair Housing Commission (FHC) ensures that renters have safe places to live and that landlords follow housing laws. The commission and its staff help people know their rights and responsibilities when renting a property.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Weekly public hearings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The Free Library of Philadelphia Board of Trustees has powers that include, but are not limited to, the selection and determination of compensation for the president and director of the Free Library, the management and expenditure of certain trust and endowment funds, and the adoption of policies and procedures governing the operations of the public library system.

The mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia is to advance literacy, guide learning, and inspire curiosity. Its vision is to build an enlightened community devoted to lifelong learning.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Quarterly meetings.

The Art Commission is Philadelphia’s design review board. It ensures that development in Philadelphia is beautiful, orderly, and appropriate, making the city a desirable place to live, visit, and do business.

As part of its duties, the commission reviews the designs of all construction projects located on City property or funded with City money, anything constructed or installed on or over the public right-of-way, and all public art to be acquired by the City or placed on public property.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings.

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) is a bridge between the public and the government. As outlined in the City’s charter, PCPC oversees the physical development plan of the city, zoning ordinances, maps, and the Capital Program and Budget.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings.

The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) is the City’s official civil rights agency. The commission enforces important laws that prevent discrimination and promote equality. They decide disputed complaints and conduct hearings to educate and inform the public.

We enforce important laws that prevent discrimination and promote equality. The commission decides disputed complaints and conducts hearings to educate and inform the public.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Executive meetings on the second Friday and public meetings on the third Friday of each month. Public hearings are held two to three times per year, which can last for multiple hours.

The Philadelphia Gas Commission oversees the management and operation of Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW). The commission must approve the annual operating budget and Five-Year Financial Forecast and make recommendations to City Council. PGW’s financial and business transactions are approved by the commission as well.

• Compensation: None
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings.

The Philadelphia Historical Commission protects the City’s historic resources. Along with its advisory committees, the commission identifies and designates historic landmarks, maintains the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places, hosts public meetings, and works with property owners to protect landmarks.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings.

The Architectural Committee considers proposals for changes to historic properties. The committee then makes recommendations to the Historical Commission.

• Compensation: None
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings.

The Committee on Historic Designation considers nominations to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. The committee then makes recommendations to the Historical Commission.

• Compensation: None
• Meeting frequency: Meetings held every other month.

On May 20, 2025, voters approved the creation of the Prison Community Oversight Board (PCOB). The board will provide recommendations to the new Office of Prison Oversight and the Philadelphia Department of Prisons on policy and best practices.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings.

The Educational Nominating Panel seeks candidates for the Board of Education, considers applicants, and provides recommendations to the mayor. The mayor appoints members to the board, which oversees the School District of Philadelphia.

• Compensation: None
• Meeting frequency: As needed for board vacancies or new appointments due to a mayoral change.

The Sinking Fund Commission administers the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) Pension Plan. The plan provides pension benefits for eligible employees of PGW and other eligible class employees of Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation and Philadelphia Gas Commission.

• Compensation: None
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings.

The Tax Review Board (TRB) is part of the Office of Administrative Review (OAR). The TRB decides taxpayer appeals from most City assessments or bills. TRB does not handle real estate tax assessments and real estate tax principal. Those cases are decided by the Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT).

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: At least two meetings each week.

The Water, Sewer, and Storm Water Rate Board is an independent body. City Council established the board to set rates and charges for water and sewer service. The board considers testimony and other evidence submitted by City officials and members of the public to determine fair and reasonable rates.

• Compensation: None
• Meeting frequency: Monthly meetings.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) hears appeals of any decision made by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) in accordance with the Philadelphia Zoning Code. It also hears appeals of L&I’s refusal or referral of zoning permit applications. ZBA is an independent board within the Department of Planning and Development.

• Compensation: Yes
• Meeting frequency: Hearings are held weekly on Wednesdays and other times as needed.