Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) | Programs and initiatives | City of Philadelphia Translate It looks like your device language is set to . Would you like to translate this page? About Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) are community groups that are concerned with the physical development of their community. RCOs: Get advance notice of projects that will be reviewed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment or the Civic Design Review Committee. Organize and conduct public meetings where community members can comment on planned developments in their neighborhood. Get notified by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) whenever a: Zoning variance or special exception is requested. Development requiring Civic Design Review (CDR) is proposed. To find an existing RCO or to learn more about what RCOs do, see our resources Connect Address 1515 Arch St. 13th Floor Philadelphia PA 19102 Email rco @phila.gov Phone Phone: (215) 683-4646 Social Register an RCO Registration is closed. New applications for RCOs are accepted every year during the month of June. Eligibility To qualify as an RCO, your organization must: Hold regularly scheduled, open meetings. Have leadership chosen by the organization members-at-large at regularly scheduled elections. Serve a geographic area that has no more than 20,000 parcels. Some groups qualify as RCOs when they submit a complete application to PCPC. They are: Neighborhood Improvement Districts. Special Services Districts. Ward Committees. The full RCO program rules and responsibilities are outlined in Chapter 14-300 of the Philadelphia Code, also known as the Zoning Code What to expect New applications for RCOs are accepted every year during the month of June. When you apply, you will need to attach the required documentation. This includes: An adopted statement of purpose for the organization concerning land use, zoning, preservation, or development. The organization's governing rules or by-laws. These must include a description of boundaries, a definition of the membership, and a description of the leadership selection process. A copy of a meeting announcement distributed publicly through hard copy or electronic notices. Proof that your organization is eligible. Once the application is received, PCPC staff will review for completeness and will let you know if they require additional materials. For more information, watch a video of the 2024 RCO information session Get involved Search by address to find out more about a proposed development or appeal. Go here for templates, codes and regulations, and contact information for Council and RCOs. See a calendar of upcoming ZBA meetings. Resources The City’s Open Maps page, where boundaries of various RCOs can be found. Choose Registered Community Organizations on the left. Learn more about what RCOs do and how they operate in these brief, informational videos. Application form, a list of RCOs, and materials from past RCO information sessions. View the benefits agreements that RCOs submitted for the previous calendar year. Top Birth, marriage & life events Business & self-employment Cars, parking & transportation Crime, law & justice Culture & recreation Diversity, inclusion, accessibility & immigration Education & learning Ethics & transparency Mental & physical health Payments, assistance & taxes Permits, violations & licenses Property, lots & housing Safety & emergency preparedness Streets, sidewalks & alleys Trash, recycling & city upkeep Trees, parks & the environment Water, gas & utilities Working & jobs Zoning, planning & development Service directory