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Local government directory
Philadelphia, PA: council, meetings and contacts
Philadelphia is the 6th largest city in the United States with about 1,574,281 residents, in Philadelphia. Here is who governs it, when they meet in public, and where the agendas are posted.
City government at a glance
- Form of government
- Mayor-council (consolidated city-county)
- Governing body
- Philadelphia City Council — 17 members
- Regular meetings
- Thursdays, 10:00 a.m., Room 400, City Hall
- City Hall
- 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107
- Main information line
- 311 or (215) 686-8686
- Population (2025 est.)
- 1,574,281 (2020 census: 1,603,797)
- County
- Philadelphia
- Planning body
- Philadelphia City Planning Commission
10 district and 7 at-large members; at least two at-large seats are reserved for minority parties.
Official links
- Philadelphia official website
- Philadelphia City Council
- Agendas, minutes and meeting video
- School District of Philadelphia
The bodies that decide things in Philadelphia
| Body | What it decides | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia City Council | Ordinances, the city budget, zoning changes, contracts, police and fire funding | Official page |
| School District of Philadelphia board | School budget, boundaries, calendar, curriculum adoption, superintendent | District website |
| Philadelphia City Planning Commission | Rezonings, site plans, variances and long-range land use recommendations | City website |
Questions people ask about Philadelphia government
When does the Philadelphia City Council meet?
Thursdays, 10:00 a.m., Room 400, City Hall Always confirm the date and location on the official agenda before you attend, because meetings can be cancelled, moved or continued.
How do I contact Philadelphia city government?
The main information line is 311 or (215) 686-8686. City Hall is at 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107, and the official website is https://www.phila.gov.
How do I speak at a Philadelphia public meeting?
Find the agenda for the meeting, check the sign-up deadline (many cities close the list before the meeting starts), prepare remarks for the posted time limit — usually two or three minutes — and state your name, your district and your specific ask.
Open debates in Philadelphia
Start here if you are new to this
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