L&I rises to challenge as permit applications submitted in record numbers in advance of tax abatement changes

L&I Information sessions

Space is still available. The Department is offering regular information sessions to assist stakeholders in navigating L&I processes and keeping abreast of code changes. The list of current offerings is provided below. Customers can also sign-up for these and future webinars online under the “Events” section of the L&I homepage (www.phila.gov/li).

This 1-hour webinar will be an overview of the significant changes in the 2018 Residential Code.

This webinar will be held from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm on Tuesday, March 15th via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

eCLIPSE Q&A session

This session will be held from 9:30 am - 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

eCLIPSE permitting and licensing basics webinar

This session will be held from 9:00 am - 11:00 am on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

Note: Capacity is limited and, in order to accommodate all stakeholders, we need your help. We ask that you only register if you plan on attending the sessions and, if your circumstances change, please cancel your registration.

Important note: The period of expiration for zoning permits is defined in Section 14-303(10) of the Philadelphia Zoning Code, outlined in Code Bulletin Z-1901, and referenced on the permit. Zoning permit expiration dates as established under Section 14-303(10) are NOT superseded by entries in the electronic permit application record.

Refer to the Zoning permit extension information sheet for more information.

At our webinar session, presented on January 19, 2022, L&I provided an overview of the significant accessibility changes in the 2021 I-codes. The slides from this presentation is available on the website. For additional information, please refer to the following resources:

Please note that this information is only required to be provided once and any use must be validated through a Zoning Permit and/or a Certificate of Occupancy. This rental license classification does not supersede any other applicable laws.

Please allow additional time in renewing your rental license to accommodate this additional step.

Under new legislation, as of January 10, 2022 landlords must participate in the City's Eviction Diversion Program before they can file a court case to evict a residential tenant. Landlords must:

See https://eviction-diversion.phila.gov/#/ for more information and reach out to EvictionDiversionProgram@coraservices.org with any questions.

Legislation enacted at the end of last year authorizes the City to issue permanent licenses for streeteries in the parking lane in designated areas of the city, beginning March 2022. The Streets Department and this newsletter will provide information about applying for a permanent streetery license as the information becomes available.

The Philadelphia Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability has issued a memorandum explaining the status of streeteries that were established under temporary licenses, including those located outside the areas designated for permanent streeteries. Refer to the memorandum for more information.

All temporary sidewalk cafe licenses and temporary zoning permits authorizing outdoor dining on private property have been extended through December 31, 2022.

As a reminder, certification information for construction permits may now be found in one location. The construction inspections page of the L&I website includes a list of all permit inspection certifications and the conditions that trigger submission by permit type.

As of January 1, 2022, all permits have a specific hold type and the contractor must upload the certification to the associated "hold". Contact the Department using the online help form if the "hold" does not appear in the permit.

In lieu of the Manual J and S reports, contractors must complete and upload the newly created HVAC equipment certification form to verify the building loads and equipment sizing for new, one-or-two family dwellings.

The mid-rise sprinkler ordinance, signed by the Mayor in 2018, requires all buildings 45 feet or more in height to have an automatic sprinkler system installed in the basements and level of exit discharge by January 1, 2022. The department will begin inspecting applicable buildings for compliance.

L&I has rescinded a regulation requiring that repairs to facades, piers, and private bridges be completed within six months when a qualified professional has assessed the structure as "safe with repair & maintenance program". Instead, the repairs must be carried out within the timeframe designated by the professional or by such time necessary to prevent a condition from becoming an unsafe condition, whichever is sooner.

Going forward, professional engineers must submit these revised summary inspection forms online to document their assessments.

For more information on property maintenance certifications, please refer to the website.

A Development Impact Tax (DIT) passed by Council went into effect on January 1, 2022. Building permit applicants must now pay a 1% tax on the value of residential new construction and improvements that are eligible for a real estate tax abatement and cost more than $15,000. Fifty percent of the tax is payable upon permit issuance and the other 50% is payable before finalization of the permit and issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). ECLIPSE will hold the permit and CO until the applicant resolves the holds by documenting DIT payment.

Fire Suppression Worker - Specialty License: This license is required for the annual inspection of water-based fire protections. Fire suppression workers can apply for this license now, but it is not required until March 15, 2022.

Fire Suppression Worker - Kitchen Fire Extinguishing System License: This license is limited to those who only perform work on commercial kitchen fire extinguishing systems. Individuals can apply for this license now, but this license cannot be used to perform this work until March 15, 2022.

Note: You can continue to work on commercial kitchen fire extinguishing systems if you possess a Fire Suppression Systems Worker License.

L&I inspectors are currently issuing Warning Notices. They will begin issuing Site Violation Notices with financial penalties, starting July 1, 2022. For more information about these Warning Notices, Site Violation Notices and other L&I violations, please refer to the website.

In accordance with Bill No. 210917, starting March 18, 2022, commercial lessors will be required to provide certain disclosures to tenants before entering into lease agreements with them. Look out for more information in future editions of the newsletter.

Bill No. 210081, signed by the Mayor in 2021, changes the existing licensing and Zoning Code requirements for owners or renters that offer their homes as limited lodging rentals in Philadelphia. Starting April 1, 2022, the following licenses will be required:

For more information on the upcoming license changes, refer to Bill No. 210081. For more information on the zoning requirements, refer to the short-term rental FAQ.

Back issues of the L&I Newsletters are available on the L&I website under Resources.