On December 22, 2011, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter signed a new zoning code into law. People in favor of the new code say that it is clearer and more predictable. It levels the playing field between developers and communities.
To give developers and neighborhoods time to prepare for the new code, it won’t go into effect for another eight months. After it is adopted, the code will be reviewed annually and city council will make revisions and additions as necessary.
The full effects of the code remain to be seen.
“The devil is always in the details,” said Neil Sklaroff, a real estate attorney with Ballard Spahr. “No matter how much any of us know, the impacts will always surprise us and we won’t know for some time.”