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Phoenixville council adopts ordinances on dog sales, sidewalk/outdoor business rules and parking updates
Summary
Council unanimously adopted three ordinance updates: clarifying state dog‑sale rules apply in borough limits, modernizing sidewalk-cafe and outdoor-business permits and protections (including ADA path requirements), and updating motor-vehicle and parking designations for new borough lots and trailhead parking.
At its July 14 meeting, council adopted multiple ordinance amendments addressing animal sales, sidewalk and outdoor business regulations, and motor-vehicle/parking updates. The solicitor explained the dog ordinance clarifies that Pennsylvania dog statutes and corresponding PA Code regulations apply in the borough and reiterated the borough’s limited authority in areas preempted by state law. Council adopted that amendment without recorded opposition.
Council also approved amendments to chapter 13 governing licenses and permits to better reflect current practices for sidewalk cafes and outdoor businesses. The update added permit requirements, set permitted hours and size/height allowances, required maintenance of an ADA-compliant pedestrian path, and established enforcement procedures. A councilor asked whether table-service restrictions that discourage disposable products would affect ice-cream vendors; staff clarified the distinction rests on whether table service is provided, and council accepted that explanation before voting.
Finally, routine updates to chapter 15 (motor vehicles and traffic) were approved, including designation of Paradise Street parking lot across from the fire station and identification of borough trailhead lots at 198 Murray Road and Ashland Street; the amendments also cleaned obsolete payment-option language. All three ordinance measures passed unanimously 7–0.
