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PWD Development Services Newsletter June 2024
Celebrating PWD’s 2024 Stormwater Pioneers awardees
On April 25—during Earth Week—Development Services recognized two privately owned properties for their stormwater management retrofit projects, bestowing on each its Stormwater Pioneers award. Stormwater Pioneers is an annual award that salutes innovation and excellence in stormwater management; this year, both Pioneers projects were made possible with the assistance of PWD grant funds.
To learn more about the 2024 winners Awbury Arboretum and Philadelphia Federal Credit Union (PFCU), and their projects, see PWD’s recent post about the awards event.
Considering a voluntary retrofit for your property? Information about the process and requirements can be found on our Stormwater Grants webpage.
New! Development Services’ FAQs page
Development Services is pleased to announce its just-published Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpage. This list was informed by various inquiries staff have received over the last several years and represents scenarios frequently encountered by developers.
These FAQs are not comprehensive, of course. If you have a question or would like to discuss a situation that is not addressed here, as always, please email PWD_DevServices@phila.gov or call 215-685-0798.
Project Meetings in PERSON starting July 15, 2024
The Parker Administration recently announced that all City workers will transition to full-time, in-office work effective July 15, 2024. To align with this mandate, the Development Services Unit will no longer offer virtual project meetings. After this date, all project-based meetings will be held in person at PWD headquarters, located at 1101 Market Street. Requests for virtual meetings will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Click here to request a development project meeting.
New! Review Timelines webpage
PWD serves as a prerequisite review for various permits issued by Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). The new Review Timelines resource guides applicants in navigating PWD’s prerequisite reviews for zoning, building, demolition, site/utility, and other permits.
The Review Timelines webpage converts and updates a prior static fact sheet to a dynamic web-based resource. This resource provides applicants with the Development Services’ current average review times for plan approvals, review requirements, and a quick guide to Water and Sewer Connection Permits.
Click here to access the new Review Times resource, which is also linked at Development Services’ main page.
Philadelphia C-PACE Expands to Include Stormwater Projects
In case you missed it: in 2022, Philadelphia’s C-PACE program was expanded to include resiliency projects that may now contain stormwater management components—under certain circumstances. More information about the Philadelphia C-PACE program and how it relates to stormwater management can be accessed through the Development Services’ Development Incentives webpage.
Reminder: CO Holds Policy and FAQs
PWD’s current policy concerning Certificate of Occupancy (CO) holds in the L&I eCLIPSE application went into effect on August 1, 2023. The Final CO will not be issued by L&I until PWD’s hold has been resolved. Development projects subject to PWD’s stormwater regulations must satisfy all Department requirements by close of construction. These requirements include, though are not limited to, the settlement of all outstanding review fees, the resolution of any construction violations, and the submission and acceptance of a compliant project Record Drawing.
To review the policy and related FAQs, visit PWD’s Certificate of Occupancy Hold Policy webpage.
Reminder: Final Inspection Request Form
As noted in our February newsletter, all requests for a development project’s final inspection are now submitted online. Requesting a final inspection requires a project engineer’s confirmation that all prerequisite site preparations and closeout documentation have been fully addressed, including the submission of a Record Drawing.
To access Development Services’ Final Inspection Request form, click here. Any questions about the process should be sent to PWD_DevServices@phila.gov.
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PWD Development Services Newsletter February 2024
New Updates to Philadelphia’s “SCAR” Manual
Last revised in 2017, Philadelphia’s Sewer Connection and Repair Manual (or “SCAR” Manual) recently received significant updates. With these latest revisions to the SCAR Manual, users will see:
- New clarity around review, permitting, and inspection requirements—including changes to application processes due to COVID-19
- An expanded Connections Details section within the Appendices
- Updated content reflecting current PWD rules and regulations
- The removal of outdated or now-prohibited items (ex., resilient saddle connections)
Click here to review the newly published SCAR Manual Version 1.2. *Note: If you have accessed the Manual previously, you may need to clear your browser’s cache to view the latest version.
Stormwater Billing and Incentives’ Stormwater Grants Deadline
Pre-application meeting requests are now open for the Spring 2024 Stormwater Grants deadline! These meetings are required for all applicants planning to apply for a Stormwater Grant, and for the Spring round must be requested by February 15 and held by March 1. The applicant must submit a Conceptual plan with their meeting request. Other documents may also be submitted for review but are not required.
The next Stormwater Grants deadline is March 15, 2024. Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on the 15th.
To begin your pre-application meeting request, head to our Stormwater Grants website or use this link.
Updated Resource: Green Roof Density Bonus Fact Sheet
PWD’s fact sheet explaining the City’s Green Roof Density Bonus (GRDB) incentive was revised in December 2023, updating the 2018 version. With this new revision users will see:
- Adjusted reference to relevant City code and its explanation of the density exception
- Further clarity about the GRDB Review Path and application submissions
- Updated contact information for the Plan Review office
To view the revised GRDB fact sheet, follow this link or visit the Development Incentives webpage to learn more. Our full library of development resources is available at Development Services’ Resources Directory page. Questions about the GRDB incentive should be sent to PWD_DevServices@phila.gov.
New! Final Inspection Form
The request for a development project’s final inspection can now be submitted via webform at PWD’s website. Requesting a final inspection requires a project engineer’s confirmation that all prerequisite site preparations and closeout documentation have been addressed in full, including the Record Drawing submission. Submitting a completed form will generate an automated email.
To access the Final Inspection Request Form, follow this link. Questions about the process may be sent to PWD_DevServices@phila.gov. *Note: Beginning March 1, 2024, all final inspection requests must use this new form.
Certificate of Occupancy Holds: FAQs
In August 2023, PWD implemented a new policy concerning its use of Certificate of Occupancy (CO) holds within eCLIPSE for building permit applications that trigger Stormwater Management plan reviews. PWD staff will resolve these CO holds after confirming compliance for each project and its associated permit including, though not limited to, the following:
- Resolution of all construction violations
- Payment of all review fees
- Obtainment of a Post-Construction Stormwater Management (PCSM) Final Inspection Report
- Execution and recording of an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement
- Submission of a compliant Record Drawing
The Final CO will not be issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) until PWD’s hold has been resolved.
*Note that Temporary COs may also be held for projects that employ stormwater-related Green Roof Density Bonuses (GRDB), and that PWD routinely places holds on any issued permits with violation concerns.
The Department’s CO Holds procedure is outlined in the Stormwater Management Guidance Manual’s Appendix M. PCSMP Closeout. Common questions about the procedure are addressed at our CO Holds Policy page. Additional questions about PWD’s treatment of CO holds should be directed to PWD.PlanReview@phila.gov.