Announcement / Engagement

L&I information sessions

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

• L&I eCLIPSE Q&A Session - The Department of L&I will be hosting a 90-minute open Q&A session to address specific permit application questions for users with some experience using eCLIPSE. This session will be held from 9:30 am - 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

• Special Inspections Program Webinar - This 1-hour session will provide an overview of the City of Philadelphia’s Special Inspections program. This program provides for a specialized third-party inspection of selected materials, equipment, building components, or projects, as required by the Philadelphia Building Code. The session will be held from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 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 ask that you only register if you plan on attending the session and, if your circumstances change, please cancel your registration.

L&I job announcement

The Department of Licenses and Inspections is looking for qualified candidates to fill the following vacancy:

• Building Plan Engineers - The City is hiring Graduate Civil Engineers, which is the entry level position for L&I Building Plan Engineers. Employees in this position examine plans for the construction, reconstruction or renovation of building structures to ensure conformance with sound engineering principles and with existing ordinances and regulations. Employees may progress to the full performance position of Building Plans Examiner Engineer 1 within four years, through the Department’s training and mentoring program. For more information or to submit an application, click here.

Permitting

The permit navigator pilot program has launched!

Check out the new Permit Navigator pilot program, a digital tool created to help public users determine what permits and approvals are needed for certain residential alteration and small business projects. This tool also includes information on the cost and application process for select permits.

The City is committed to improving and expanding this pilot to include all aspects of development, so we’d love to hear from you! Email smartcityphl@phila.gov to share feedback about your experience with the Permit Navigator.

The City will also be hosting information sessions for potential users!

Attend the Upcoming Permit Navigator Info Sessions

• Thursday, March 2nd (business) at 11:00 a.m. Register online.
• Tuesday, March 7th (residential) at 10:00 a.m. Register online.
• Thursday, March 9th (business) at 11:00 a.m. Register online.

Modular commercial buildings now regulated by

PA Industrialized Building Act

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (Pa DCED) published regulations in the Pennsylvania Bulletin (Volume 53, Issue 6) regarding the implementation of the commercial modular program. Commercial modular construction will now be subject to the same program requirements as industrialized housing.

On February 22, 2023, Pa DCED began applying new regulations and will require all modular buildings and components to be certified by December 31, 2023. 

All applications for commercial modular construction through December 31, 2023, must include the Notice of Approval for Commercial Construction (and other application information required for Industrialized Buildings) or confirmation that building is to be reviewed under the PBCOC. All applications submitted on or after January 1, 2024, will be reviewed in accordance with the PA Industrialized Act (12 PA Code Chapter 145) and associated regulations.

More information will be published to our website as it becomes available through PA DCED.

Additional permit documents available in eCLIPSE

In response to feedback received from our customers, we are making modifications to return additional permit documents to the applicant and contractor through eCLIPSE. Supplemental documents submitted with the permit application that contain key design, construction, or inspection information (i.e. soils investigation report, statement of special inspections etc.) may be accessed through the eCLIPSE portal upon permit approval and issuance.

Supplemental documents will be made available on Commercial and Residential Building, Complete Demolition, Fire Suppression, and Mechanical Permits submitted after March 15, 2023. 

The following permit resource was recently modified:

Zoning permit amendment information sheet - The information sheets for amended zoning permits and zoning administrative adjustments were consolidated and modified to help customers identify the appropriate path for their project.



Licensing

Generator manufacturer representative registration

The annual certification of emergency and standby power systems may be performed by an individual approved by the equipment manufacturer to perform testing and inspection.  

Beginning April, 1 2023, all periodic testing and inspection reports must be submitted through the eCLISPE portal. An individual operating under a manufacturer’s approval must be registered with L&I in order to submit certifications through the eCLIPSE portal.  For more information on this registration, please visit the website.

Note: This annual certification may also be performed by a licensed electrical contractor. 

Upcoming OSHA 3015 training for excavation contractor license

The Excavation Contractor License requires the identification of at least one site safety manager that has completed the OSHA 3015 Excavation, Trenching, and Soil Mechanics Course or an approved alternative.

The Mid-Atlantic OSHA Training Institute Education Center is offering OSHA 3015 in-person courses at the following locations:

• Norristown, PA: March 20th - March 22nd
• Baltimore, MD: April 3rd - April 5th

The TEEX OSHA Training Institute Education Center is offering OSHA 3015 online courses on the following dates:

• February 28th – March 2nd
• April 3rd - April 5th

As a reminder, this license will be required to perform excavations more than 5 feet below adjacent grade (excluding utility trenches and exploratory investigation) under an excavation permit filed on or after January 1, 2023. A licensed excavation contractor must be identified to obtain an excavation permit.

Inspections

Change in contractor form 

Starting April 1, 2023, property owners or their representatives requesting to remove and/or add a new contractor to their permit must complete a change in contractor form and upload it to the online request form.

Aboveground fire suppression certification form

Beginning April 1, 2023, the  Aboveground Contractor’s Materials and Test Certificate submitted for fire suppression systems designed under NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R must include a copy of Form 79-770 (Backflow Prevention Assembly Test and Maintenance Record) and confirm that the form was submitted to the Philadelphia Water Department. 

Periodic testing and inspection reports

Beginning April 1, 2023, periodic testing and inspection reports must be uploaded through the online eCLIPSE portal by the individual or company performing the inspection. Review Code Bulletin A-2204: Periodic Inspection Report for submission requirements.

A contractor or design professional must be licensed or registered with the Department to submit certifications through the online portal. Visit eCLIPSE Help for instructions on associating or registering a license.

Information on certifications received for a specific property will become available through Atlas in 2023. This will make the status of critical life safety and building inspections available to the public and enable an owner to verify that the contracted inspector submitted results to the Department.

Regulations

New L&I regulation

A new hazardous materials license for the mobile fueling of fleet vehicles is expected be introduced on April 1, 2023. For more information on license requirements, please refer to the proposed regulation. 



Reminders

The following changes are now in effect:

New special inspection form

The Statement of Special Inspections form has been revised to incorporate new category for

structural stability and to better identify the special inspection license category that must be entered into online applications. 

Development in the mixed income neighborhood overlay district

Section 14-533 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code includes provisions for Residential Housing Projects located within the Mixed Income Neighborhood (/MIN) Overlay District. L&I has created a new supplemental form that is intended to clarify if the application is required to comply with the requirements of the /MIN Overlay. The supplemental form will be required to be submitted with all zoning permit applications for development in the /MIN Overlay

Rodent control management

In accordance with Section 4-A-1101 of the Philadelphia Code and associated regulations, a Rodent Control Management Plan shall be developed and implemented at least 15 days prior to the start of a complete demolition or new construction project. The Rodent Control Management Plan, inspection reports, and abatement records shall be kept on site for the duration of demolition or construction and furnished to the Department upon request.

Additional reminders of upcoming changes:

Rodent control plan on vacant lots

In accordance with Bill No. 210902, a vacant lot must be inspected annually by a Pa licensed pest

control company for evidence of rodent infestation. Where rodent activity is detected, a rodent

control plan shall be implemented. Lots regularly maintained as gardens are not subject to this

inspection requirement.

The initial inspection must be completed by March 2, 2023. Subsequent inspections must occur

each year thereafter.

The inspection report prepared by the pest control company and any associated rodent control

plan must be submitted to the Department within 7 days of completion. Refer to the website for

more information on where to submit the report.

Public comment on 2021 International Code changes now open

The Pa Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Committee (RAC) is reviewing changes to

the 2021 International Codes for incorporation into the Pa Uniform Construction Code in

accordance with the Pa Construction Code Act.

The RAC will accept public comment on modified and additional sections of code through March

12, 2023. You may submit comment and find information on adoption schedule and opportunities for participation through the RAC’s website.