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Announcements
New ZBA Fee Schedule in Effect as of August 1
New Zoning Board of Adjustment fees are effective on August 1, 2026. View the new fee schedule and other ZBA materials on the Zoning Board of Adjustment appeals materials page.
Zoning Board of Adjustment fees are established in Section A-907 of the Philadelphia Administrative Code. Applicants must pay a filing fee to appeal to the ZBA. The filing fee will be listed on your refusal or referral issued by L&I.
New Zoning Board of Adjustment fees came into effect on August 1, 2026.
The fee to appeal varies by property:
- Existing one-or-two-family dwellings — $125
- Proposed affordable housing projects* — $125
- All other properties — $811
- Administrative review — $265
- Reposting of notices (continuance) — $177
- Accelerated hearing — $995 per property (maximum of $2,985)
- Accelerated hearing for proposed affordable housing projects* — $0
- Leave to amend — $151
*Applies to applications for variances and special exceptions where the project described in the denied zoning permit meets the definition of an “Affordable Housing Project,” as defined in Section A-106 of the Philadelphia Administrative Code.
FONSI for Construction of Cold Storage Facility
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
Date of Notice: July 20, 2026
City of Philadelphia, Division of Housing and Community Development
1234 Market Street, 17th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-686-9760
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Philadelphia.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about August 6, 2026, the City of Philadelphia will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of a HUD FY2024 Community Planning and Development (CPF) award to undertake the following project:
Project Title: Construction of Cold Storage Facility
Purpose:Caring for Friends receives donated food and distributes it to food pantries. Currently, the amount of cold storage space at 12271 Townsend Road limits their ability to receive food. Caring for Friends wishes to add an additional 15,000 sq ft of space to its 30,000 sq ft building to increase its cold storage capacity and consequently their food distribution volume.
Location: 12271 Townsend Road, Philadelphia, PA19154
Estimated Cost: Total development cost estimated to be $5,000,000, including a Community Project Funding grant award totaling $5,000,000.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Philadelphia has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment.
POSTING INFORMATION
This Notice will be posted online at the following website: www.phila.gov/dhcd/legal-notices
Download the full legal notice
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to DHCD. All comments received by August 5, 2026, will be considered by the DHCD prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Philadelphia certifies to HUD that Jessie Lawrence, in his capacity as the Director of the Department of Planning & Development/Division of Housing & Community Development, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’s certification for a period of 15 days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later).
We’re hiring paramedics & Advanced EMTs
The Philadelphia Fire Department is hiring certified paramedics & advanced EMTs to work in one of the busiest EMS systems in the nation. In addition to providing excellent emergency medical care, the ideal candidates will be able to comfort patients; reassure family, friends and bystanders; and cooperate with fire and police officials. PFD paramedics earn between $72,285 – $110,434 per year, with opportunities for overtime and promotions. Advanced EMTs earn between $61,522 – $85,479, also with opportunities for overtime and promotions. The Fire Department’s motto is “Dedication + Service,” and members live those values every day in the City of Philadelphia. Questions? Look at our FAQs.
Apply now! The application period closes August 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Philly Trails in a Photo Contest
This summer, teenagers and young adults in Philadelphia are invited to enter the Philly in a Photo Contest: Trails Edition. Philadelphia youth ages 12 to 22 are invited to enter a photo in the contest by September 1, 2026. Enter the contest by completing the Philly in a Photo Contest (Trails Edition) submission form. For more details and information, read this blog post.