L&I Newsletter
August / September 2021
Acknowledgement

 City floodplain manager in Grid magazine

A Q&A with Josh Lippert, the City of Philadelphia’s floodplain manager, was featured in the July issue of Grid Magazine. In the article, Josh clearly explains what floodplains are, how global warming is increasing flood dangers in Philadelphia, and steps Philadelphian’s can take to protect themselves. Josh is the City’s first floodplain manager.
 
Permitting

Contact information for permit submissions

Starting September 10, 2021, all building and zoning permit applications filed on behalf of an owner who is not a natural person or publicly traded company must include contact information for any individual with more than 49% equity interest in the property. If no individual has such an interest, contact information of two individuals with the largest equity interest in the property must be included with the application. Please bring / upload the new 'supplemental ownership information form' with your application. For more information, refer to Bill #200417.


HVAC equipment design worksheet requirement

As a reminder, the HVAC equipment design worksheet must be submitted with all applications for new mechanical equipment in residential occupancies. This will be a mandatory upload for residential, new construction permits beginning October 1, 2021.
 

Affordable housing projects

If your project is eligible for a 10-day review based on regulation, you MUST include the following with your permit application:

  • The work description entered in the permit application must begin with “AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT”.

  • You must bring one of the following:

  • A confirmation letter from the owner’s agent for applications seeking to use the Mixed Income Housing Bonus pursuant to 14-702(7).

  • A confirmation letter from the Director of Planning and Development for a property receiving finance through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program or for a property awarded funds controlled by the City of Philadelphia.
 
Be sure that your project qualifies and that you have filed properly to avoid processing delays. 
Licenses

Rental license application updates

The following updates may impact your rental license application:

A) All new rental license applications filed for properties owned by a ‘company’ must include contact information of each natural person with more than 49% equity interest in ownership of the property or the contact information of two natural persons with the largest equity interest in the property. Please bring / upload the new 'Rental license supplemental ownership information form' with your application.

B) Applications for new rental licenses and rental license renewals must identify the type of rental the property will be used for. The applicant may select from the following categories:

  • Residential Dwellings
  • Rooming House / Boarding House
  • Hotel
  • Assisted Living
  • Dormitories
  • Other. If "other' is selected, the applicant must enter text that specifies what is meant by "other".

To avoid delays in processing, please read the definitions carefully before making a selection in eCLIPSE.
COVID update

Mask mandate for indoor construction work

The City Health Department has implemented a new mask mandate designed to slow the spread of the dangerous COVID Delta variant. This mask mandate went into effect on August 12, 2021 and it applies to construction work as follows:

  • Construction work at businesses and institutions: Masks are required indoors at all Philadelphia businesses and institutions that do not require everyone who enters to be vaccinated.

  • Construction work inside enclosed structures that are in the process of being built: Masks are required unless all companies with workers on site require proof of vaccination.

  • Construction work indoors at unoccupied existing structures: Masks are required unless all companies with workers on site require proof of vaccination.

  • Construction work indoors at residential properties: Masks are required.

  • Construction work outdoors: Masking is not required at outdoor jobsites but the Health Department continues to strongly recommend that unvaccinated individuals mask up.

Reminders

Chat functionality is coming soon!

As a reminder, L&I will be launching a new chat tool this fall that will allow you the ability to chat with an L&I agent during business hours to support your eCLIPSE navigational needs. We are currently piloting the tool, so keep an eye out for the chat tool icon at the bottom of the eCLIPSE page for an available agent to chat with.


New fire suppression systems licenses are coming soon

Bill No. 200365 was enacted September 17, 2020 to modify the Fire Suppression Systems Worker (FSSW) license to add two additional licensure categories:

  • Specialty – required for the annual inspection of water-based fire protection systems.

  • Kitchen Fire Extinguishing System – limited license for those who only perform work on kitchen fire extinguishing systems.

To avoid the peak period, you can apply for these licenses at eCLIPSE.phila.gov. Please note: Fire suppression system workers can apply for the Specialty license but it is not required until March 15, 2022. Qualified individuals can apply for the Kitchen Fire Extinguishing System license but it cannot be used to perform this work until March 15, 2022. Please refer to the website at www.phila.gov/li for more information.


Site violation notices (SVNs) are coming soon

As a reminder, L&I inspectors will begin issuing Site Violation Notices (SVNs). SVNs are intended to penalize and deter infractions that can be quickly complied on site when an inspector comes along but tend to reoccur once the inspector leaves. SVNs carry monetary penalties that go into effect immediately and can be issued each time the inspector observes the violation. Refer to the website for more information about L&I violations.

 
Development impact tax proposal

Council President Clark's development impact tax proposal (Bill No. 200556) was passed by Council in late 2020 and signed by the Mayor on January 27, 2021. This bill will impose a development tax of 1% on residential new construction and improvement projects that are eligible for a tax abatement. Permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2022 will be subject to this tax.


Tax abatement deadline is soon approaching

This is a reminder that modifications to tax abatements administered by the Office of Property Assessment (OPA) will take effect on January 1, 2022.

Customers who want to obtain the current tax abatement for their projects must submit their issued building permit and abatement application to OPA on or before December 31, 2021.

To receive your building permit in time to do this, you must file your building permit applications with all pre-requisite approvals by October 1, 2021, to allow adequate time for processing.

Please review the Tax Abatement Process Guide for more information on required reviews and associated timelines that may impact the issuance of your building permit.

For more information about the tax abatement and modification, refer to the OPA website.


Tire dealer is now available in eCLIPSE

As a reminder, any business that purchases or sells tires, whether they are new or used will need to have a Tire Dealer License by December 31, 2021. The license application is now available through eCLIPSE. For more information, visit the website.

Miscellaneous

Plastic bag ban update

From July 31, 2021 to January 31, 2022, retail establishments are required to post clear and visible signage at all points of sale. These signs will tell customers that the establishment will no longer provide single-use plastic bags and non-recycled content paper bags as of the date the prohibition begins. You can download signs in multiple languages. Visit the city website for more information on the enforcement timeline.

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