L&I Newsletter - December 2022



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).


  • Excavation Permit and Protection of Adjacent Property webinar - L&I will provide a 90-min. webinar on the new requirements relating to the excavation permit and protection of adjacent property. During this session we will review the specific requirements for the excavation permit and plans, as well as the property protection provisions that will apply to all projects that may directly impact an adjacent building. It is recommended that all involved in new construction, demolition, or structural alteration projects join this session if they not attended a prior session. This session will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.


  • L&I eCLIPSE Q&A session - 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 14, 2023 via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.


  • L&I eCLIPSE Permitting Basics Webinar - L&I will be hosting a 2-hour public training session on the basics of filing permit applications through the online eCLIPSE system. This webinar is an introductory session intended for new users. The session will be held from 9:00am - 11:00am on Wednesday, February 22, 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.



Permitting


New permitting requirements take effect on January 1


The provisions of Bill Nos. 210389 and 220008 become effective on January 1, 2023. These new code requirements will have a significant effect on new construction, demolition, and structural alteration permits filed on or after January 1, 2023 and include the following:

 

Excavations


Protection of Property

  • New requirements for pre-construction assessments, special inspections, and notification to affected property owners apply to construction or demolition that may impact adjacent property, including:
  1. Excavation work more than 5 feet below adjacent grade and within 10 feet of an adjacent building or structure.
  2. Excavation, demolition, or construction work where historic structure is within 90 feet on the same or adjacent parcel.
  3. Modification to a party wall, including demolition, joist replacement, and additions.
  4. Severing of structural roof or wall covering spanning properties.

 

In an effort to assist applicants through these new permit requirements, L&I has created the following information sheets:

  • Pre-Construction Survey information sheet
  • Monitoring Plan information sheet
  • Notification to Adjacent Owner information sheet


The requirements for pre-construction assessment and special inspections also apply to historic buildings undergoing structural alteration, excluding one -and -two family dwellings.

 

Demolition

  • In addition to the standard Protection of Property requirement, L&I will begin stricter enforcement of backfilling and wall covering provisions that will impact construction sequence. Refer to Code Bulletin B-2203: Demolition Permit Requirements for more information.
  • A new Party Wall Protection EZ Permit will become available on January 1. This permit will be required prior to the approval of a demolition permit that involves exposure of a party wall.


Review slides from past webinars on the Resources page of our website and keep an eye out for future information sessions.



Demolition permit checklist


New property protection laws that take effect on January 1, 2023, have a unique impact on complete demolition projects. The Department has published a new Demolition Permit Plan Review Checklist to assist permit applicants in navigating new requirements. Please also review Code Bulletin B-2203: Demolition Permit Requirements and Demolition Permit Slides from last month’s webinar to prepare for imminent changes. 



The following permit resources were recently added to the L&I website, www.phila.gov/li





Amendment to the Philadelphia Code


Bill No 2200638, amending the Philadelphia Code to incorporate the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), as adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was signed into law on December 14, 2022. The Department began mandatory enforcement of these provisions on August 14, 2022, as required by the Pa Construction Code Act. 



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.




Licensing


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 courses at the following locations:


  • Norristown, PA: January 9th – 11th
  • New Castle, DE: January 23rd - 25th
  • Baltimore, MD: February 27th – March 1st


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


  • January 3rd – 5th
  • January 31st – February 2nd
  • February 28th – March 2nd

 

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.



L&I streetery license


The Streetery license is now available in eCLIPSE. You must have the pre-approvals and other permits prior to applying for a Streetery license with L&I. Refer to the website for more information. 

 


Inspections


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.


Manufacturer’s representatives who perform testing of emergency standby power systems will be required to register their manufacturer approval in eCLIPSE. Look out for more information on the registration as it becomes available in early 2023.


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. 



Audits & Investigations


Enforcement priorities


AIU would like to call your attention to the following enforcement priorities:



  • Subcontracting - Subcontractors must always be licensed. They must carry a valid contractor or trade license (for trade work) whenever they are working. 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 3 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


The Department issued $70,000 in license violation fines in November 2022. Of that total, $33,000 in fines were issued for the use of unlicensed subcontractors or failure to adequately disclose subcontractor usage and $7,000 were issued to contractors for using workers without the required OSHA training.



License discipline


The following license suspension was issued in November 2022:


  • Pink Brick Development, LLC - To be suspended for 6 months after repeatedly and knowingly allowing unlicensed property owners and developers to engage in construction work authorized by its permits. The suspension will become effective on January 16, 2023, unless it is appealed before then. 


Refer to the website for a list of contractors and trade licensees whose licenses are currently revoked or suspended.



Reminders

The following changes will take place effective January 1, 2023:



Increase in permit and license fees


Fee increases for most permits, business licenses, and trade licenses issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) will take effect for new applications filed on or after January 1, 2023. For more information on permit fee increase, please review the regulation. The current fees will continue to apply to applications filed before January 1, 2023.



New special inspection license category established 


A new Special Inspection License category, Structural Stability of Existing Buildings or Structures, has been established. The license category was created to support new special inspection requirements for existing buildings established under Bill No. 220008 that take effect on January 1, 2023.



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. The new form shall be mandatory for all applications filed on or

after January 1, 2023.



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. L&I shall begin enforcement of these requirements on all projects beginning construction after January 1, 2023.



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