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Announcements

Focus Group Summary


The Department recently conducted annual focus group sessions to gather feedback and identify potential improvement initiatives. This year, you took the time to again provide feedback that we can use for the coming year. Some areas of focus will include: 

  • Consolidating and clarifying instructions around resolving violations
  • Streamlining business license applications and renewals
  • Developing more training for contractors around rowhouse renovation projects 
  • Improving our media literacy to incorporate plainer language and in multiple languages

We thank you for sharing your experiences and helping us to better serve all stakeholders. We look forward to continuing to improve our services and hope you join us for our focus group feedback sessions next year!

Webinars

Pre-Construction Site Requirements Webinar


L&I will be conducting a 2.5 hour training course of the administrative code requirements for construction sites. The course will also cover the regulations on obstructions and closures of streets and sidewalks, the minimum site safety requirements, the requirements for posting of permits, demolition and excavation, protection of adjacent property, overhead protection and an overview of the basic OSHA requirements. 

 

This course will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this training course. 

 

**Attendees can receive 2.5 hours of continuing education credits for this course.** 

Register Here!

Philadelphia Contractor Compliance Webinar

L&I will be conducting a 60-minute webinar on the Department of Licenses and Inspections’ contracting requirements. The session will cover subcontractor usage, worker certification requirements and an overview of the Department’s License Violation program and current enforcement priorities.


This session will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 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!

L&I eCLIPSE Q&A Session


L&I will be conducting a 60-minute webinar on fire alarm certification and inspection requirements.


This session will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 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!

Fire Alarm Certification Requirements Webinar


L&I will be conducting a 60-minute webinar on fire alarm certification and inspection requirements.


This session will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 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. 

Electrical Permits and Deficiencies Webinar Slides


The Department presented a webinar on the electrical permit requirements including an overview of the most common electrical plan deficiencies, the Department’s service level agreements, form submissions and appeal procedures. The slides used during this webinar are posted on the website.

Zoning Webinar Slides


The Department concluded the six-part webinar series focused on the Zoning Code. The slides used during these webinars are posted on the website.

Permitting

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.

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:


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 written comment.

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. 

Audits & Investigations

Enforcement Priorities


The Audit and Investigations Unit (AIU) would like 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 $86,100 in license violation fines between 8/23/24 and 9/17/24. The following violations and citations were issued:


  • Failure to add all sub-contractors to permit $24,000
  • Working without a valid license $8,000
  • Failure to cooperate with the audit investigation $5,000
  • Failure to maintain insurance $8,000
  • Failure to comply with the Philadelphia code $2,000
  • Required conduct $4,100
  • Working without the required permit $7,000
  • Hired an unlicensed subcontractor $4,000
  • Working without OSHA certification $21,000
  • Deviating from or disregarding approved plans $2,000
  • Providing false information on permit application $1,000



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

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.

Scheduling Final Inspections

 

Prior to requesting a final inspection, permit holders must ensure that all required certifications have been submitted to the Department. This includes all certifications for trade and site permits associated with a building permit.

 

On September 3rd, 2024, the Department began assessing a $100 fee when an inspection must be rescheduled because the work is not ready for final inspection. This fee must be paid prior to rescheduling a final inspection. 

 

We urge all permit holders to verify the following prior to final inspection:

  • All certifications on the permit requiring inspection have been submitted through the appropriate Permit Hold and have NOT been rejected by the Department. Please visit our website for complete information on required certifications. 
  • All associated trade permits have been issued. As a reminder, work cannot be concealed under a rough-in permit and completing work without full permits is a violation of the Philadelphia Code. 
  • All certifications on an associated trade or site permit have been submitted through the appropriate Permit Hold and have NOT been rejected by the Department.
  • Associated electrical permits are in 'completed' status. If the third-party electrical inspection agency issued final approval of the electrical work and it is not reflected in eCLIPSE, please contact the agency directly for status update. 
  • All other Holds requiring compliance prior to final inspection have been resolved. This excludes the Development Impact Tax Hold, which can only be resolved after final inspection. 



The $100 rescheduling fee will not be assessed if the permit holder cancels the inspection request at least two business days prior to the scheduled date. If you have a scheduled inspection and have not satisfied the above conditions, please be sure to cancel the inspection request to avoid additional fees. 

Permit Hold for Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan

 

The Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan approved by the Philadelphia Fire Department must be submitted to L&I through the Permit Hold prior to scheduling final inspection of a new high-rise building.  

 

Refer to our website for more information on evacuation plan requirements. 

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

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