Philly City Council to Consider Bill Protecting Neighbors from Construction Damage

The proposal would hold builders accountable for damage incurred to adjacent homes as historic rowhouse properties see increased redevelopment.

2 minute read

May 17, 2021, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


A bill proposed in the Philadelphia city council "would require builders to have general liability insurance that protects adjacent properties during construction or demolition." Writing in Temple University's Philadelphia News, Thomas Riese reports that the bill "would make builders accountable for damage that some homeowners have grappled with for years, sometimes without knowing where to turn for compensation."

Advocates of the bill say it would be a first step in protecting homeowners from damage and preventing dangerous practices, but "would like to see more protections passed as laws that could serve as a 'Neighbors Bill of Rights.'" Community activist Drew Miller "said he’d like to see more collaboration between city departments, especially before project permits are approved."

The city's Department of Licenses and Inspection "currently has 69,529 open requests or complaints, and roughly 32% of those pertain to building structures, licenses, and construction." In part due to the architecture of Philadelphia's iconic rowhouses, adjacent property damage is "frustratingly predictable," according to historic preservation professional Starr Herr-Cardillo. "On a rowhouse block, when they’re built at the same time, they’re one structure." In many cases, demolition requires underpinning, a process designed to reinforce the foundation and prevent instability in the surrounding buildings. 

"Philadelphia has encouraged a development boom that spurred its economic growth, but residents and homeowners want to make sure they’re not taken advantage of along the way."

Monday, April 26, 2021 in Philadelphia News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

"Altadena - Not For Sale" yard sign in front of burned down house after Eaton Fire in Altadena, California in January 2025.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations

Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

July 7 - Dwell

Dense multistory residential buildings in hilly San Francisco, California.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean

Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

July 7 - The San Francisco Standard

Blue self-driving Ford Transit van shuttle in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US

A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.

July 7 - Smart Cities Dive

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA