Insurance Bill No. 240304A
Bill No. 240304-A, introduced in April 2024 and amended in December 2024, is NOT in effect. City Council is still considering this bill.
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Attention: Residents Affected by the Northeast Philadelphia Plane Crash
Considering the recent Medical Plane crash tragedy in Northeast Philadelphia, the Department of Licenses and Inspections wants to reassure homeowners who have received violations for unsafe homes that no penalties will be imposed for necessary home repairs directly impacted by the crash. We understand that the tragic event has caused significant disruption, and many homeowners are facing added challenges in ensuring their homes are safe. Recognizing the unique and difficult circumstances, we are committed to providing flexibility and support during this recovery period. Homeowners will not be penalized for addressing repairs and safety improvements stemming from the aftermath of the crash and we encourage them to prioritize their families’ safety without fear of penalties or fines. We remain dedicated to assisting residents in restoring their homes and communities to a secure and livable condition.
-Basil Merenda, Commissioner, ISC
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New Offerings from PGW EnergySense Rebates & Grants Program
PGW has extended its EnergySense rebates and grants program through August 2027. PGW will continue to offer the same rebates on high-efficiency heating and water heating equipment, building controls, cooking equipment, and grants for single-family new construction. Beginning in 2025, PGW now offers rebates on roof insulation and air sealing for residential customers, construction grants for multifamily residential projects, and a brand new program that will offer free energy audits and upgrades to small business customers. Visit www.PGWEnergySense.com to learn more.
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Energy Code Compliance Webinar
L&I will offer a 90-minute webinar on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to provide an overview of energy code compliance. This session will include a review of the energy code application requirements, documents to be submitted with permit applications, commissioning expectations, inspection requirements and energy documentation required to close out permits upon the completion of construction. Note: This session will cover current requirements under the 2018 IECC and will not include 2021 updates.
Please register if you are interested in attending this webinar.
**Attendees can receive 1.5 hours of continuing education credits for this course.**
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Certificate of Occupancy Webinar
L&I will be offering a 90-minute webinar on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. to provide an overview of the Certificate of Occupancy. During this session, we will explore when a Certificate of Occupancy is required, the distinction between a Use Registration Permit and a Certificate of Occupancy, application requirements for a new Certificate of Occupancy, and planned improvements.
Please register if you are interested in attending this webinar.
**Attendees can receive 1.5 hours of continuing education credits for this course.**
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Future Sessions
Do you have any recommendations for additional webinar topics, general process clarification or general code interpretation? Complete and submit this online 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 the online help form.
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Rental License Renewal Webinar Slides
On February 4, 2025, the Department presented a 60-minute overview of the rental license renewal process. The slides used during this webinar are now posted to the website.
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Temporary Certificate of Occupancy
Effective March 1, 2025, the Department will initiate a pilot program to extend the standard term of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) from 90-days to 180-days to accommodate the industry's current needs.
Please review our updated Temporary Certificate of Occupancy Information Sheet, which also includes:
- Parameters and requirements for phased TCO requests.
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Reference to the Department of Public Health’s generator and fire pump testing restrictions during ozone season.
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The Following Permit Resource Was Recently Updated/Added to the Website:
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Nightclub, Venues, Restaurant FAQ – This document provides guidance on which Use Category eating and drinking establishments and assembly and entertainment spaces fall into.
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2021 Code Corner
The 2021 I-Codes, with state and local modifications, will become effective in July 2025 with a 6-month transition period.
As we continue to prepare for the transition into the 2021 I-Codes, please visit the 2021 Code Corner for additional forms and documents, including proposed changes and responses to questions. We encourage you to submit additional questions through the online recommendations form for early identification of questions and concerns.
Keep an eye out for more information sessions relating to the 2021 I-Code throughout the year.
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Notice of Violations to Include Department-Specific Logos
Beginning March 1st, Notice of Violations (NOVs) will no longer include the umbrella Department of Licenses and Inspections logo. The Department will begin utilizing division-specific logos for Inspections, Safety and Compliance and Quality of Life. This change will allow the Department to better track accounts associated with each division. More importantly, this change will allow inspectors who issue NOVs to more accurately represent their division and help property owners navigate the resolution process.
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Enforcement Priorities
The Audit and Investigations Unit (AIU) wants to call your attention to the following enforcement priorities:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Violation Data Report
AIU issued $89,400.25 in license violation fines between 12/10/24 and 1/15/25.
The following violations and citations were issued:
- Failure to add all subcontractors to permit: $40,000
- Working without a valid license: $3,000
- Failure to cooperate with audit investigation: $9,000
- Failure to maintain insurance: $7,000
- Failure to comply with the Philadelphia code: $1,000
- Required conduct contractor: $1,500
- Working without the required permit: $8,000
- Contractor hired an unlicensed subcontractor: $6,000
- Worker without OSHA 10 certification: $11,000
- Owner/developer hired unlicensed subcontractor: $1,000
Fire Escapes
- Judgement Issued: $1,900.25
AIU will continue to follow up and monitor contractors' activities.
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Notice of Intent to Withhold Contractor Licenses Due to Outstanding Fines
The Department will withhold Contractor Licenses for outstanding fines issued to that license, as authorized by Section 9-102(9) of the Philadelphia Code.
Check the contractor look-up on our website for violations and your eCLIPSE account for outstanding fines. Be sure to pay outstanding fines promptly to avoid disruption to your business.
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.
If you would like more information on an outstanding contractor license fine, email addinfo@phila.gov.
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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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Back issues of the L&I Newsletters are available on the L&I website under Resources.
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