This annotated edition of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, adopted by the electors of the City of Philadelphia on April 17, 1951, has been prepared and published primarily as an aid to the officials and employees of the City who are charged with carrying out its provisions. It is also intended as a guide to a better understanding of the Charter for the residents of the City and others who will be concerned with and interested in it.

Following each section of the Charter are statements of "Sources" and "Purposes." "Sources" is generally used in the very broad sense of statutory provisions, ordinances, model provisions, and provisions from Charters of other cities which suggested the idea from which the section of the Charter was derived. At times "Sources" indicates that the language closely parallels language from a source provision. Under "Purposes" it is sought to state the intention of the section, its effect, and its relationship to other Charter provisions.

The publication of this annotated edition was authorized by a resolution of the Charter Commission. It was prepared by the Legislative Draftsman of the Charter Commission under the direction of the Commission's Drafting Committee. The index was prepared by the Bureau of Municipal Research, as a public service.

DRAFTING COMMITTEE
William A. Schnader, Chairman

Abraham L. Freedman

Robert T. McCracken
Paul A. Wolkin, Legislative Draftsman