News & Resources
Government Affairs Report
City Hall has been active since the start of the new year. Mayor Parker is preparing to give her FY2027 budget address on March 12, which will be followed by two months of City Council hearings on each department’s proposed budget. While those occur, the BIA will be monitoring the following bills:
Council Member Young’s Bill No. 250917, which would prevent demolition in the 5th District without an approved building permit.
Council Member Phillips’ Bill No. 250980 which would add additional registration requirements for landlords.
Council Member Squilla’s Bill No. 251030, which would improve the notification process for historic preservation nominations.
Council Member Harrity’s Bill No. 260024, which would create a new license for “Glass and Metal Technicians.”
We also expect movement this spring on IECC updates in Bill No. 250644 and plumbing code updates in Bill No. 250645, as well as broader adoptions of the 2021 International Codes.
The BIA continues to meet with Council Members to express concerns about legislation from Council Member O’Rourke that would make evictions and lease terminations even more problematic. Bill No. 250329 would significantly increase regulatory burdens and liability for rental housing providers by expanding licensing, inspections, and enforcement authority, while limiting owners’ ability to collect rent or pursue eviction. Bill No. 250330 would impose broad “good cause” eviction and lease renewal requirements along with expanded tenant legal rights, creating uncertainty, higher operating costs, and increased litigation risk for property owners. The bills are scheduled for a public hearing on March 4 and the BIA will be prepared to testify.
The 20-year property tax abatement for residential conversions that the state authorized for Philadelphia should be introduced as Council legislation in March, and the BIA is preparing for an aggressive advocacy campaign to secure its passage by June. Incentives to stimulate the conversion of functionally obsolete and vacant office and industrial buildings to residential uses are a key advocacy goal for the BIA. We encourage all members to make their voices heard and let City Hall know how critical this abatement is to housing access for all Philadelphians.
Beyond legislative activity, the BIA reported to the mayor's office and ZBA leadership that the long lead time to get a variance or special exception is preventing landlords from filling vacant retail spaces across the city. No credible tenants, whether local entrepreneurs or world class restauranteurs, can or want to wait 8 months for an approval. The city is working with us to reduce hearing wait times, minimize required resubmissions, shorten notice of decision wait times, and streamline reviews to render them less subjective and more objective.
Finally, members' complaints about OPA persist and the BIA is in the process of elevating the issues. Procedural concerns and delays significantly impact the delivery of market rate and affordable housing.