Title
Adding a new Chapter 9-5700, entitled "Leasing of Commercial Property," to require commercial lessors to provide certain disclosures before entering lease agreements and to provide related protections to tenants, all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
TITLE 9. REGULATION OF BUSINESSES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
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CHAPTER 9-5700. LEASING OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY.
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? 9-5701. Definitions.
In this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Lease Terms. The terms and conditions of occupancy of a Commercial Property, which may include, but not be limited to, the proposed date for the Lessee to begin making payment to lease the Commercial Property, date for the Lessor to deliver the Commercial Property to the Lessee, and term of months or years for the Lessee to occupy the Commercial Property after delivery by the Lessor.
(2) Commercial Property. Real property, including any part, portion, or unit thereof, for use primarily to conduct activities of business, industry or trade, which activities shall exclude any principal residential use, as set forth in subsection 14-601(2).
(3) Lessee. Any person or entity that seeks to rent, lease, or obtain the use of a Commercial Property from a Lessor under the terms of an oral or written agreement.
(4) Lessor. An owner of a Commercial Property or any person or entity that is engaged in the business of renting or leasing Commercial Property under rental or leasing agreements on behalf of a Commercial Property owner.
? 9-5702. Disclosure Required.
(1) Except as provided for in Section 9-5702(1)(b), no Lessor shall enter into an agreement to rent a Commercial Property with a Lessee who is not party to an existing lease agreement for such property, until the Lessee has been afforded an opportunity to determine the zo...
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