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).

• Floodplain Development webinar - This floodplain development webinar will provide the latest overview of floodplain development in Philadelphia, including a review of our "Guide to Development in a Floodplain", Code Bulletin for development in the SFHA, and Flood Protection forms. This session will be held on Tuesday, June 13th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending the webinar.

• Philadelphia Contracting Requirements webinar - This 60-min. webinar will provide a refresher course on the Department of Licenses and Inspections contracting requirements. L&I will cover subcontractor usage, worker certification requirements, and provide an overview of the Department's License Violation program and current enforcement priorities. The session will be held on Wednesday, July 19th from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 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 announcements

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

• L&I Director of Audits & Investigations – This position is responsible for directing, through managers and supervisors, the enforcement of license requirements for contractors and other trade licensees. The Director also oversees the Department’s maintenance certification program. For more information or to submit an application, click here.

• Communications Manager – This position is responsible for coordinating media relations and digital communications for the Department of Licenses and Inspections. For more information or to submit an application, click here.

Landlord Gateway

Check out the new website for the Landlord Gateway Program. This program is a centralized resource to help current and prospective landlords navigate the City’s processes, requirements, and available resources, all through a single location. 

Permitting

The following permit resources were recently added to the website (www.phila.gov/li): 

• Subdividing along a horizontal plane – This document provides clarification on whether a property can be subdivided along a horizontal plane for zoning purposes.

• Zoning code - Accessory uses – This document provides clarification on accessory uses and whether a permit is required.

• Protection of property requirements FAQ - This information sheet provides frequently asked questions related to the protection of property requirement.

• Excavation permit FAQ - This information sheet provides frequently asked questions associated with the excavation permit requirements.

Philadelphia demolition examination study guide

With the recent amendments to the Philadelphia Code to address the Protection of Adjacent Properties, the Demolition Contractor Study Guide has been updated to identify local amendments relevant to our demolition permitting and inspections processes. Demolition Contractor candidates should refer to this guide when preparing for the licensing exam administered through the International Code Council.

EZ permit standards

The following EZ Permit Standards have been updated and posted to the website:

• Security Gates and Grills
• Retaining Wall
• Exterior Walls
• Masonry Façade
• Porch Enclosures
• Windows and Doors

Several changes to these EZ Permit Standards include:

• Clarifications regarding grille/gate installations at exits, including limitations on main exit installations.

• Identifying required City Planning Commission reviews for exterior permit work scopes based on zoning overlay areas identified under the Center City Overlay, the Neighborhood Commercial Area Overlay, and the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay.

• Identifying the required Art Commission reviews for exterior work scopes in the Parkway Buffer Area Overlay and the Independence Hall Area Overlay.

• City Planning and/or Art Commission reviews will be triggered on these permit types when the property is located within an affected zoning overlay. 

Plan review form

The Plan Review Form listing pertinent fire protection systems for a building or space will be re-introduced later this month. Look out for this form on the Documents tab of any newly approved Building Permits.  



Permit Inspections

PWD stormwater management review - Permit completion holds

As of August 1, 2023, the Water Department will insert holds on new building permit applications that trigger the PWD Stormwater Management Review. PWD will resolve the hold once compliance is confirmed for the project and associated permit including, but not limited to, the following: 

1.      PWD Final Inspection Complete (PWD Regulations 600.8(g)) 

2.      Compliant Record Drawing (PWD Regulations 600.8(h))

3.      Execution and recording of Operations & Maintenance Agreement (PWD Regulations 600.12)

The Final CO will not be issued by L&I until the PWD hold has been resolved. Please note that the Temporary CO may also be held for projects that include a stormwater-related Zoning Code Bonus.

PWD will also continue to impose holds on any issued permits with violation concerns. 

Electrical inspection agency changes

As a reminder, the owner or operator is responsible to select the third-party electrical inspection agency that is responsible for inspections under an electrical permit. The agency must be named at permit application. An electrical inspection agency may only be modified through a permit amendment and will only be approved if there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. availability of agency).

Starting July 1, 2023, if a contract associated with an electrical permit is terminated, the electrical inspection agency must inform the department. The agency must upload a completed Electrical Inspection Agency Contract Termination Form when submitting an electrical permit status update through their eCLIPSE portal.

Audits & Investigations

Enforcement priorities

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

• Use of Tower Cranes - No contractor, construction manager, or a qualified person designated as a supervisor of an operation shall permit any individual to operate a tower crane or assist crane, provide hand signals / verbal communication to direct the operation of a tower crane, or provide rigging duties associated with the operation of a tower crane unless they are properly certified by NCCCO, the National Commissioner for the Certification of Crane Operators, or acceptable alternatives. Refer to the Philadelphia Code Title 9-3303 for more information on the Use of Tower Cranes.   

• Insurance Requirements - In accordance with Philadelphia Code Title 9-1004, all licensed contractors must maintain, at minimum, the following insurances: workers' compensation insurance, comprehensive general liability, and motor vehicle liability. Failure to maintain proper insurance, and to provide proof of continued coverage by submitting renewal certificates to the Department, will result in the contractor being cited with a violation of 9-1004(5). That citation is accompanied by a $1,000 fine. 

• 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 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. 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 $166,000 in license violation fines in April 2023. Of that total, $72,000 in fines were issued for the use of unlicensed subcontractors or failure to adequately disclose subcontractor usage and $32,000 were issued to contractors for using workers without the required OSHA training. 

Reminders

Historical Commission review for adjacent property

Excavation, demolition, or construction work occurring within 90 feet of historic structure on the same or adjacent parcel is subject to the protection of property requirements. However, work occurring within 90 feet of a non-contributing building is excluded from these requirements.

In order to streamline reviews and verify applicable adjacent property impact requirements, a PHC review has been added to eCLIPSE. This new PHC review will allow the Philadelphia Historical Commission to affirm through the eCLIPSE application, whether the building located within 90 feet is considered contributing (and subject to protection of adjacent property reviews) or non-contributing.

eCLIPSE zoning permit application

As a reminder, documents required for City Planning site plan approval must now be uploaded as a separate file in the eCLIPSE Zoning Permit Application. This requirement is intended to mitigate downstream delay that may occur when a zoning plan is revised for reasons unrelated to the City Planning review.