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Webinars

Make Safe Permit and Inspection Requirements Webinar


L&I will be conducting a 60-minute webinar on Make Safe permit and inspection requirements.


This session will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending.


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

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

The Following Permit Resource Was Recently Updated/Added to the Website:



  • Make Safe Permit for Dangerous Buildings The website has been updated to reiterate the required information on Engineer Reports, the protection of property requirements and the need for an excavation contractor to be named on a permit for work involving excavation more than 5 feet below the adjacent property.

2021 Philadelphia Plumbing Code - Public Comment


The Plumbing Advisory Board (PAB) has reviewed all changes to the 2021 International Plumbing Code and provided recommendations to better accommodate our local conditions. Note: The 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) will serve as the basis for the updated Philadelphia Plumbing Code. Changes previously adopted by ordinance in 2019 and 2023 will be retained.


Please view the Proposed Changes to the 2021 IPC, excluding those changes already adopted by ordinance. These documents will assist you in evaluating and understanding changes:


As a reminder, the PAB and the Department welcome and encourage you to provide public comment during a PAB public hearing on November 7, 2024.


Please complete this comment form to register as a speaker or submit a written comment.

Miscellaneous

Board Decision for Fee and Fine Adjustment


An appellant receiving any adjustments to a license fee or violation fine through a Tax Review Board or Board of License Review decision must notify L&I through an in-person or virtual appointment. 


For license fee adjustment, schedule an appointment using Qless. For violation fine adjustment, use the online appointment form.

Boards Administration Unit Office Relocation


The Boards Administration Unit has relocated from the 11th floor to the concourse of the Municipal Services Building. You still need an appointment to file an appeal in person. For more information on appeals, please visit the appeals page on the website.

Audits & Investigations

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 $93,300 in license violation fines between 9/18/24 and 10/12/24. The following violations and citations were issued:


  • Failure to add all subcontractors to permit $28,000 
  • Working without a valid license $10,000 
  • Failure to cooperate with audit investigation $5,000 
  • Failure to maintain insurance $9,000 
  • Failure to comply with the Philadelphia code $1,000 
  • Required conduct $6,000 
  • Working without the required permit $9,000 
  • Hired an unlicensed subcontractor $8,000 
  • Working without OSHA certification $20,000 
  • Required Conduct Inspection Agency $300 



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

Important Election Information

Stay informed and make your vote count by reviewing the entire ballot with BallotReady. BallotReady.org is an excellent non-partisan resource where you can preview your ballot and learn more about the candidates and issues you will be voting on.

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.

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 new applications filed on or after January 1, 2025. The 2023 fees will continue to apply to applications filed before January 1, 2025. Please visit the website for a list of fees for permits and licenses. 

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.

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

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