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Webinars

2021 International Code Updates


In preparation for the July 2025 adoption of the 2021 International Codes, L&I will be conducting a 60-minute session to highlight the significant changes. 


This session will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this webinar. 


**Attendees can receive 1.0 hour of continuing education credits for this course. ** 

Register Here!

L&I eCLIPSE Permitting Basics Webinar


L&I will conduct a two-hour public training session on the basics of filing permit applications through the online eCLIPSE system. This webinar is intended as an introductory session for new users.


This session will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this webinar. 

Register Here!

Excavation and Protection of Property Requirements Webinar


L&I will conduct a 90-minute refresher course on protecting property requirements that became effective on January 1, 2023, and will also include the excavation requirements.


This session will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this webinar.


**Attendees can receive 1.5 hours of continuing education credits for this course. **

Register Here!

L&I eCLIPSE Q&A Session


L&I will host a 60-minute open Q&A session to address specific permit application questions for users with some experience using eCLIPSE.

 

This session will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this session.

Register Here!

Future Sessions


Do you have any recommendations for additional webinar topics, general process clarification or general code interpretation? Complete and submit thisonline form to provide your feedback. 

 

Note: This form is for general process clarification and/or general code interpretations and no direct response will be provided by the Department. Any project-specific questions requiring a direct response must be submitted through theonline help form. 

Permitting

Permit and License Fee Increase


On September 20, 2024, the regulation increasing permit and license fees by the rate of inflation became law. These fees will apply to all applications filed on or after January 1, 2025. The 2023 fees will continue to apply to applications filed before January 1, 2025.


Applicants are encouraged to file pending applications no later than Friday, December 27th to receive current rates.


Please visit the website for a list of fees for permits and licenses.

The Following Permit Resources Were Recently Updated/Added to the Website:



Inspections

Violation Resolution


Notice of Violations will now include instructions to correct the violation. Beginning in January, each violation will be accompanied by a QR Code that directs the recipient to a section of the website that provides instructions tailored to the specific violation. Instructions for the most common violation types will be made available first. Content will continue to be added as we strive to make pertinent information more accessible to citizens and stakeholders. 

Building Certifications

Pier Inspection Reports


New address records for piers have been added to eCLIPSE and the Building Identifier Map. Please be sure to select the address record that starts with ‘Pier’ when submitting pier reports.


If the necessary address record cannot be found or is not an available selection, please submit an online help request and an agent will provide prompt assistance.

Licensing

eCLIPSE Online Portal Improvement Project


The eCLIPSE online portal is undergoing a transformation to provide improved navigation and accessibility. We anticipate introducing the new upgraded application by the end of 2025 and are incorporating certain changes to the business license structure that you, our customers, have identified as most important.



One minor change that you requested will be deployed in January: a license applicant can access the desired license type directly without navigating through the license wizard.

Audits & Investigations

Notice of Intent to Withhold Additional Permits Due to Outstanding Fines

Beginning in December 2024, the Department will be withholding permits from contractors who fail to pay fines related to their Contractor’s License as authorized by §9-102(9) of the Philadelphia Code. Failure to pay these fines in full will result in the inability of delinquent contractors to be added to any additional permits as a responsible contractor or subcontractor. This is the first step in a progressive plan as part of a multi-faceted approach to increasing safety and compliance.


Letters are currently being mailed to delinquent contractors. 


If you are unsure if you have outstanding fines and would like information prior to receiving a letter, you can email addinfoli@phila.gov.



Visit our website for more information on how to pay a fine or call (215) 686-6600 to make an appointment to pay in person.  

Enforcement Priorities


The Audit and Investigations Unit (AIU) wants to call your attention to the following enforcement priorities:


  • Contractors and Subcontractors Information - In accordance with the Philadelphia Code Title 9-1004, contractors who hire a subcontractor to perform work authorized by their permit must list the subcontractor on the permit in eCLIPSE within three (3) days of the commencement of any work authorized by that permit, unless that permit is for a residential building of two dwelling units or less. If the Department establishes that a contractor has failed to do this, the contractor will be cited with a violation of 9-1004(8). That citation is accompanied by a $2,000 fine.


  • Subcontracting - Subcontractors must always be licensed and carry a valid contractor or trade license (for trade work) whenever they work. A subcontractor is any person or business hired to perform work authorized by a permit who is not identified on that permit’s application as the prime (or responsible) contractor.



  • Worker Certification - Every worker at a Philadelphia construction site must have OSHA 10 training and carry their card with them when they’re on the job. If a building more than three stories or 40 feet tall is being constructed or demolished, an OSHA 30-trained site safety supervisor must be on site whenever the site is active.

Violation Data Report


AIU issued $65,000 in license violation fines between 11/14/24 and 12/9/24. The following violations and citations were issued:


  • Failure to add all sub-contractors to a permit: $14,000
  • Working without a valid license: $3,000
  • Failure to cooperate with audit investigation: $4,000
  • Failure to comply with the Philadelphia code: $1,000
  • Working without the required permit: $11,000
  • Contractor hired an unlicensed sub-contractor: $1,000
  • Worker without OSHA 10 certification: $11,000
  • Required conduct inspection agency: $300

 

Fire Escapes

  • Reinspection fees: $300



AIU will continue to follow up and monitor contractors' activities.

Reminders

Adoption of the 2021 I-Codes

 

It is anticipated that the 2021 I-Codes, with state and local modifications, will become effective in July 2025. Beginning in January 2026, all new permit applications must conform to the 2021 I-Codes.


The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Review and Advisory Council has issued the 2021 ICC Code Adoption Final Report. Please review this report for modifications to the 2021 I-Codes, to be adopted throughout Pennsylvania as part of the Uniform Construction Code.


Stay tuned for notices regarding adopting ordinances, proposed changes, information sessions and updated forms and documents as we prepare for the transition.



The review and adoption of construction codes is a continuous process. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Review and Advisory Council will begin accepting public comment on the 2024 I-Codes in Fall 2025. Look out for updates on the Council’s web page. You can view the 2024 I-Codes on the track development of future code editions through ICC’s website, www.iccsafe.org.

Free OSHA Safety Consultation

 

Employers can receive no-cost safety, health and industrial hygiene evaluations by signing up for a program run by Indiana University of Pennsylvania's (IUP) Safety Sciences Department.



Through the PA OSHA Consultation Program, IUP consultants conduct occupational safety and health evaluations and work with business owners to address issues. The on-site visits are confidential since the program operates independently from OSHA's regulation enforcement.

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