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PHILADELPHIAlocal legislationIN MAYOR'S OFFICE

Proposed Changes to Philadelphia's Surplus Property Rules

Original title: Amending Chapter 16-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Surplus Properties,” by adding methodology for disposition by property exchange, and making other technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions.

Record date · June 11, 2026

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What This Bill Does

This bill proposes updates to Chapter 16-400 of the Philadelphia Code, which governs how the city handles surplus properties. It introduces a new process for exchanging properties and includes technical updates to existing regulations.

Why it matters

The bill creates a new legal pathway for the city to trade surplus real estate, which could change how city-owned land is transferred or acquired.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Indirectly affected

Philadelphia Property Owners

Property owners may be affected if the city begins trading land near their properties.

Directly affected

City of Philadelphia

The city government gains a new administrative tool for managing its real estate portfolio.

Key Facts

The bill amends Chapter 16-400 of the Philadelphia Code regarding 'Surplus Properties'.
It adds a new methodology for the disposition of surplus property through property exchange.
The bill includes various technical changes to the existing code.
The legislation is currently pending in the Mayor's Office.

Show all 6 facts

The bill was introduced on April 30, 2026.
The bill was reviewed by the Committee on Public Property and Public Works.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 'surplus property' in this context?

refers to real estate owned by the city that is no longer needed for municipal operations.

What does 'disposition by property exchange' mean?

It means the city would have a legal framework to trade city-owned land for other properties, rather than just selling it through traditional auction or sale methods.

What else do you want to know?

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Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

New Land Management Tool

The city is moving from a primary focus on selling surplus property to including property exchange as a formal disposition method.

Philadelphia Code

Connected Entities

Philadelphia Code, Committee on Public Property and Public Works

otherPhiladelphia Code“The legal code being amended.”Map →

OrganizationCommittee on Public Property and Public Works“The committee responsible for reviewing the bill.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

webapi.legistar.com

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance45
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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