The Department of Sanitation announces the return of the weekly seasonal Mechanical Cleaning Program.

The Department of Sanitation announces the return of the weekly seasonal Mechanical Cleaning Program. The Mechanical Cleaning Program aligns with Mayor Parker's approach to addressing quality of life issues by providing residents with an opportunity to see first-hand how the City is making Philadelphia neighborhoods clean, green, and more vibrant.

What is mechanical cleaning?

Mechanical cleaning refers to the use of specialized street-sweeping equipment to remove debris from roadways in a systematic and efficient manner.

This process utilizes motorized sweepers equipped with rotating brushes and vacuum systems. These components work together to dislodge and collect dirt, litter, leaves, and other materials from the street surface, depositing it into an onboard containment unit for proper disposal.

When will the mechanical cleaning program run?

The 2026 season runs Monday, April 6 through Thursday, October 29, 2026.

What are the target neighborhoods?

The Sanitation Department provides mechanical cleaning in 14 neighborhoods identified through the Litter Index as having the highest concentration of litter. These areas have been identified as requiring additional city services to supplement cleaning efforts.

• Frankford: Levick to Bridge from Frankford to Keystone / Bridge to Orthodox from Griscom to Torresdale / Orthodox to Castor from Castor to Torresdale
• Germantown: Berkley/Stenton to Chelten from Pulaski to Wakefield
• Kensington: Front to Castor from Wyoming to Tioga / Tioga to Lehigh from 2nd to Kensington
• Logan: Roosevelt Blvd. to Godfrey from Broad to Mascher and Roosevelt Blvd. to Glenwood from Broad to Front
• Nicetown: Broad to 20th from Lindley/Logan to Wagner and Broad to Clarissa from Windrim to Hunting Park and Broad to Hunting Park from Hunting Park to Westmoreland
• North Central:Broad St. to 22nd St. from Allegheny to Girard
• Paschall: 58th to 62nd from Grays to Lindbergh and 62nd to 70th from Cobbs Creek to Dicks
• Point Breeze: Christian to McKean from Broad to 24th
• Port Richmond: Lehigh to Torresdale from Kensington to Aramingo
• South Philly:McKean to Oregon from 4th to 8th
• Southwest:Woodland to Kingsessing from 49th to Cemetery and 58th to 61st from Cobbs Creek to Chester
• Strawberry Mansion:Lehigh to Girard from 33rd to 22nd and 22nd to 29th from Allegheny to Lehigh
• West Fairhill: Broad to 2nd from Glenwood to Lehigh and Broad to Front from Lehigh to Girard
• West Philly: Parkside to Woodland from 52nd to 40^th

How will you clean the streets?

Mechanical broom cleaning is most effective when the brooms can reach the curb lines. Mechanical cleaning is typically conducted on a recurring weekly schedule to maintain cleanliness, improve environmental conditions, and prevent debris from entering stormwater infrastructure systems.

The program will operate four days per week, Monday through Thursday excluding City-observed holidays. Any unplanned obstacles, i.e., blocked streets or mechanical failure may cause a delay or cancellation for the day. Efforts will be made to service locations as quickly as possible.

How will the program be enforced?

For the success of the program and to avoid fines, motorists must adhere to the parking restrictions listed on the posted signs. Temporary parking restrictions are enforced to ensure unobstructed access and maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning operation. Beginning on Monday, April 13, posted "No Parking" signs will be enforced with assessed fines. The Parking Authority will be issuing tickets to vehicles parked on the roadway during specified no parking times through Thursday October 29, 2026.

No Parking signage during specified times is posted in all 14 areas. Parking is restricted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., on a staggered schedule. Parking intervals will be staggered from 9 - 11 a.m., 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., and 1 - 3 p.m.

SWEEP Officers will patrol neighborhoods to address code violations related to litter to ensure communities are maintained.

SweepPHL

To minimize the inconvenience during parking restrictions, residents are urged to utilize SweepPHL, a web-based map that allows residents to track and monitor the progress of the mechanical broom. The online tool is housed on StreetSmartPHL.phila.gov.

Will mechanical cleaning be expanded to other neighborhoods?

For the 2026 cleaning season the program's boundaries have expanded in twelve of the existing areas to begin consolidating the geographic areas already receiving mechanical street cleaning. Integrating into the current areas allows for a proactive citywide strategy that addresses quality of life issues in every neighborhood prioritizing the areas with the highest amount of litter.

The Sanitation Department will evaluate the data at the end of the brooming season to explore expansion to other areas. It will continue to evaluate and adjust logistics as necessary to ensure the program is operating effectively and efficiently.

How can residents help?

Residents are reminded that the Mechanical Street Cleaning Program supports community led efforts to clean blocks .City must be adhered to including setting trash out on regular collection day in the authorized location. Only household trash should be set out for pick up. Visit https://www.phila.gov/sanitation for specific regulations.