Service overview
Certain zoning applications need a review by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC). These types of reviews include:
- Lot line changes.
- Open-air parking lots and landscaping.
- Wissahickon watershed reviews.
- Steep slope overlay reviews.
- Primary street determination for properties fronting on multiple streets.
Who
People who need approvals from PCPC as part of their zoning permit applications.
Requirements
Most site plans must show the information from the Developers Checklist. Depending on the type of review you need, you may have to provide more details.
For lot line changes
If you want to change your lot lines or create new parcels, the plans must be reviewed by PCPC before you submit your application to L&I. Submit copies of the following online through eCLIPSE or in person:
- A survey plan drawn by a licensed surveyor or engineer
- A stamp by the local City Survey District, if they didn’t draw the plan
- Existing conditions and proposed changes
- New legal descriptions of the properties for the new deeds
Note that if the new properties do not front on a city street, an in-person review at the counter (“counter review”) may not be possible. The review can also be conducted online through eCLIPSE. Call (215) 683-4615 for information.
For open-air parking lots and landscaping
Submit the following in eCLIPSE:
- A landscape plan or list of plants species
- Calculations for the percentage of landscaping in the interior of a parking lot, if needed
- Landscape buffer, if required
- New or existing curb cuts
- Drive aisle widths and travel directions
- The size of the parking spaces
- The location of the parking levels, above or below ground
You may also submit eight copies of your site plans in person.
For Wissahickon watershed reviews
Submit the following in eCLIPSE:
- Impervious coverage calculations, existing and proposed
- Distances to any nearby streams or swales
- Areas with a 15% or greater slope
- Areas with a 25% or greater slope
- Distance to the nearest intersection, if the property is not on a corner
- Earthmoving plan, if required
You may also submit eight copies of your site plans in person. You may also need a plan review from the Philadelphia Water Department.
For steep slope protection overlay reviews
Submit the following in eCLIPSE:
- Existing conditions, including the site’s topographic information, retaining walls, and landscaping terrace
- Topographic survey in 2’ intervals
- Existing slope calculations at the construction area, including the area for underground utility connections
- Areas with a 15% or greater slope
- Areas with a 25% or greater slope
- Earthmoving plan, if required
You may also submit eight copies of your site plans in person.
For primary street determination reviews
Submit the following in eCLIPSE:
- Names of the streets that the lot touches
- Widths of the streets that the lot touches
- Legal status of the streets that the lot touches
- Location of on-street parking
You may also submit eight copies of your site plans in person.
Where and when
Site plan reviews are conducted in person with PCPC staff or online through eCLIPSE.
To schedule an in-person review, use our online appointment system. Once you’ve entered your contact information, select “Planning Commission” and choose “Development planning plan review.”
Appointments are required for in-person plan reviews. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1515 Arch St.
13th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Cost
There are no separate costs for this review.