The City of Philadelphia continues to revise policies and procedures to allow development and economic activity to resume in the city. Processes and protocols are being developed to provide a forum for public meetings, expand processes for zoning and building permit issuance, and clarify and broaden regulations for resumed construction activities.
PUBLIC MEETINGS OF BOARDS & COMMISSIONS
The City is working to establish protocols for virtual meetings and hearings by certain public boards and commissions, such as the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Board of Licenses & Inspections Review, and Civic Design Review Board. As a part of this process, the City is assessing the ability of Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) to provide input, as required.
Some boards and commissions, such as the Planning Commission, Art Commission, Historical Commission, Land Bank, and Redevelopment Authority have resumed operations and are setting agendas for virtual meetings for the coming weeks. The Board of Building Standards (BBS) and Plumbing Advisory Board (PAB) are also meeting virtually.
More details are expected to be released as to when hearings will resume, how hearings will be conducted and how participation will be accommodated.
PERMITTING
L&I is actively processing and issuing permits. All permits and license applications (except Make-Safe permit applications) may be submitted through the L&I e-submission system, eCLIPSE. Due to a reduced number of applications, L&I has temporarily eliminated the accelerated review program, as examiners have been able to turn around applications quickly - new permit applications are currently being reviewed within ten (10) business days.
The City has extended permit expiration deadlines. All construction permits active on or after March 16, 2020 are extended by six (6) months. All by-right zoning permits active on or after March 16, 2020 are extended by six (6) months. All deadlines for requests for additional information or to pick up permits are extended by 180 days before being considered abandoned. Additionally, the Commonwealth enacted Act 15 which tolls all development application deadlines for thirty (30) days during the Declaration of Disaster Emergency related to COVID-19.
L&I is scheduling construction-related inspections through an automated hotline (215-255-4040). L&I has set regulations for the conduct of these inspections, most notably that all workers not needed to complete inspection must clear the area, in addition to other safety measures. All inspections related to violations of the building and fire codes are expected to resume in the coming weeks. More information will be available through district offices shortly.
CONSTRUCTION
Work for permits issued on or before March 20, 2020 is permitted to resume under guidelines issued by the City. All job sites are required to follow detailed regulations, including the requirement to appoint a trained and certified Pandemic Safety Officer and create a safety plan. The City has made this guidance available through the L&I website, and our attorneys are available to work through these regulations with you as you prepare to resume operations. Our previous updates on construction regulations can be viewed
here
. All work for permits issued after March 20, 2020 is currently prohibited, except for emergency work or work related to healthcare or critical infrastructure projects.
Currently, permitted work hours are 7:00 am through 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The City expects to issue updated work hour regulations for most projects (except residential one- and two- dwelling buildings), including expanding work hours to weekends, in the coming weeks.
We will continue to monitor these operational directives and update you on any developments.
