The East Falls Special District Controls: our Zoning Overlay

Within their zoning ordinances, communities may use an overlay to protect particular features that are valued in the neighborhood. These features may include historic districts, waterfronts, scenic views, agricultural areas, wetlands, watersheds, downtown residential enclaves, and a number of other treasured aspects germane to the community. Overlay zones take the existing zoning and develop supplementary rules that are stricter and more severe in order to shield the community’s valued characteristics. Both the underlying zoning and additional overlay zoning apply and must be followed in the appointed area. Overlay zoning can greatly help a community by allowing new building construction while maintaining the community’s originality, prized infrastructure, history and culture.

A zoning overlay was adopted in East Falls in 1998. The main goal of this overlay was to establish a “main street” feel for the business district. The following is an overview of the rules and regulations that apply to any new businesses that may open up in East Falls within the business districts along Ridge Avenue, Midvale Avenue and Conrad Street. The actual language in the Philadelphia Zoning Code, including the specific area covered, can be found by clicking on this link Philadelphia Zoning Code and search for §14-1616. East Falls Special District Controls.

The following are prohibited

• Athletic drill hall, dance hall, theater, motion picture theater, and other entertainment of guests and patrons as a principal use
• Automobile sales lot
• Bottling and/or distributing of liquids for human consumption
• Central heating plant
• Outdoor amusement park
• Penal and correctional institutions
• Radio or television transmission tower
• Restaurant which serves patrons who remain in their automobiles

Building Regulations:

• The main cornice line of any newly erected building shall not be less than 25 feet above the average sidewalk level
• Newly erected buildings shall not be set back from the street line of Ridge Avenue and/or Midvale Avenue
• For lots located west of Calumet Street with Ridge Avenue frontage which also have a secondary frontage on Kelly Drive, or lots with Kelly Drive frontage, all newly erected buildings shall provide a minimum 25 feet setback from the street line of Kelly Drive
• The maximum width of any newly erected building or existing building to which an addition is added which increases the building's frontage along Ridge Avenue and/or Midvale Avenue shall comply with the following building width requirements:
  • Width of buildings can not exceed 100 feet.
  • Off street parking must be provided. The number of spaces will be determined by the building’s gross square feet area or by the legal occupancy limit if the building is a restaurant.

Trash Storage

• All trash and garbage storage and/or disposal shall be provided within the building or within a completely enclosed trash storage area located on the same lot as the building it serves.

Signs

Signs are an important part of any business. They attract customers and are able to draw attention to any building in an original way. The Planning Commission of Philadelphia defines signs as a name, identification, description, emblem, display, device or structure which is affixed to, or printed on, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or parcel of land; which is illuminated or non-illuminated; visible or intended to be visible from any public place; and which directs attention to a person, place, product, institution, business, organization, activity or service. Signs shall also include any permanently installed or situated merchandise, including any banner, pennant, placard or temporary sign, with the exception of window displays and national flags. A detailed list of different types of signs can be found on their website LINK.

The following are sign regulations that must be followed:

• Signs shall not be erected or project above the roof lines or wall coping
• Signs may be illuminated provided, the illumination shall be focused upon the sign itself, so as to prevent glare upon the surrounding areas.
• Internally illuminated signs shall be limited to neon tubing, individual letters affixed to the building or in the windows of the building, or internally illuminated signs with an opaque background.
• The following types of signs are permitted with restrictions:
  • Flat wall signs
  • Projecting signs
  • Free standing signs
• The following signs are prohibited:
  • Signs with flashing or intermittent illumination
  • Signs that revolve or that mechanically move