*** PWD’s 2026-27 Updated Rates and Charges in Effect ***

Greetings, Philadelphia Development Community:

This month’s newsletter provides a summary of the recently updated Rates and Charges pertinent to development projects, reminders about PWD’s Stormwater Grants program, and information concerning Administrative Code updates. Read on for more.

Updated PWD Rates and Charges

New water, sewer, and stormwater rates took effect on September 1, 2026. Updated charges and fees most relevant to Development Services’ customers are collected within the following table. To review a comprehensive list of new rates, click the link below the table.

PWD FY 2027 Rates and Charges (link)

Stormwater Grants: Fall 2026 Application Dates

PWD’s Stormwater Grants program offers competitive funding for non-residential private property owners seeking to retrofit their parcels for improved stormwater management. Completed projects become eligible for Stormwater Credits, which can reduce monthly stormwater bills.

PWD accepts Stormwater Grants applications twice yearly, in spring and fall, and 2026’s fall application cycle is already underway.

Key Dates:

  • “Pre-App” Meeting Request Window: Aug. 10-Sept. 18, 2026
  • Pre-App Meetings Conducted: Aug. 17-Oct. 2, 2026
  • Application Submission Deadline: Oct. 16, 2026

*Note that a required pre-application (or “Pre-App”) meeting must be scheduled and conducted before an application may be submitted. Interested applicants should request their fall pre-application meetings no later than Friday, September 18.

Go to PWD’s Stormwater Grants Webpage (link)

Administrative Code Changes Effective Oct. 1

As announced this summer by Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections, several Administrative Code changes go into effect next month. Those most relevant to PWD Development Services’ customers are summarized below. Click link at end of this section for additional information.

Prerequisite Dust Control Permit

A Dust Control Permit, issued by the Department of Public Health, Air Management Services (AMS), is required for any project involving 5,000 square feet or more of earth disturbance, including clearing and grubbing.

Starting October 1, the required Dust Control Permit must be submitted with a demolition, building, or site permit application that involves 5,000 square feet or more of earth disturbance before L&I can issue the associated permit.

New Site Permit Requirements

Beginning October 1, a Site Permit will be required for the following earthwork activities to better align with the Zoning Code requirements for Site Permits:

  • Earth disturbance exceeding 1,400 square feet on slopes greater than 15% within the Steep Slope Protection Area, as defined in § 14-704(2); or
  • Earth disturbance exceeding 500 square feet within the Wissahickon Watershed Overlay, as defined in § 14-510, except on sites designated as Category 5 on the associated Impervious Coverage Map.

For projects involving a single building, this work may instead be included as part of a Building Permit application.

Read more about Philadelphia Administrative Code changes (link)

Reminder: Updated PWD Stormwater Regs and Guidance Manual

On July 1, 2026, the Philadelphia Water Department issued updated Stormwater Regulations along with a revised Stormwater Management Guidance Manual.

The updated regulations feature a new building category, “Small Residential Development,” which now exempts housing projects under 1-acre from stormwater management requirements.

Meanwhile, the Manual adds two new acceptable Stormwater Management Practices (SMPs) for project site designers and a new map of Philadelphia’s Public Health and Safety (PHS) Release Rate areas.

Read more about Updated PWD Stormwater Regs & Manual (link)

Questions or comments concerning this newsletter may be submitted to Development Services via PWD_DevServices@phila.gov or 215-685-0798.