You must get a Building Permit before starting a project that:

Some projects are eligible for an EZ Permit, which doesn’t require you to submit plans. Plans are typically not required for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work in new, residential construction projects.

In most cases, you must get a Zoning Permit before you can apply for a Building Permit.

A combination permit is mandatory for a one-or two-family new construction Residential Permit. In other cases, a combination permit is optional. Refer to the combination permit application information sheet for more detail.

The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) issues these permits.

For some projects, you may not even need a Building Permit at all. As long as your property is not on the Philadelphia Historic Registry, you often don’t need a permit for:

Properties in the floodplain may require special documents or a review meeting.

Any property owner or their authorized agent can apply for this permit. An authorized agent may include:

The permit application must include the complete scope of work and current owner information.

A licensed Philadelphia contractor must perform the work, except for projects on an existing one-or-two-family home that don’t require an electrical or plumbing permit. In that case, work may also be performed by:

If your project requires contractors, all contractors must be named before final payment for the permit can be accepted. The contractors must:

If your application requires plans, they must follow plan requirements.

You must have this approval in order to apply. L&I will refuse your permit application without Historical Commission approval. See how to get approval for work to a historic property. 

You’ll need your plans with stamped approval from the Historical Commission before you make your application at the Permit and License Center in the MSB.

Submit your stamped plan as proof of approval when making your application. 

Upload all plans and materials required by the Philadelphia Historical Commission when you apply for your permit in eCLIPSE.

The Historical Commission will perform its review electronically and provide approval directly to L&I.

For plans with right-of-way encroachments or parking

You’ll need to complete a Streets plan review. See Streets’ plan review requirements and applicable forms for more information.

Residential and commercial building permits: You will need to apply for your Department of Streets permit approval before applying for your L&I permit. You will need to have the Streets Review Job Application Number when you apply for your L&I permit at the Permit and License Center in the MSB.

Other permits: You must submit your Streets-approved plans with your other application materials when you apply in person at the Permit and License Center in MSB.

Residential and commercial building permits: Start your Department of Streets application through the eCLIPSE portal before applying for your L&I permit. You will be prompted to enter the Streets Review Job Application Number in the L&I application.

Other permits: Upload all plans and materials required by the Department of Streets when you apply for your L&I permit through eCLIPSE. The Department of Streets will perform its review electronically and provide approval directly to L&I.

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)

Complete the Act 537 Sewage Facilities Planning Module Application Mailer (PDF). 

Submit completed Act 537 Sewage Facilities Planning Module Application Mailer directly to PWD.

Then, fill out and submit your application at Permit and License Center in the MSB.

Submit completed Act 537 Sewage Facilities Planning Module Application Mailer directly to PWD before you submit your L&I permit application.

File your permit application with L&I online through eCLIPSE.

For all utilities in new construction

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD)

You’ll need a PWD Utility Plan Review. To get this review, submit a Utility Plan to PWD at pwdur@phila.gov.

Submit all required materials directly to PWD before you apply to the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).

Then, fill out and submit your L&I application at Permit and License Center in the MSB.

Submit all required materials directly to PWD before you submit your L&I permit application.

File your permit application with L&I online through eCLIPSE.

For earth disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more.

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) – Stormwater Management

To get stormwater management review, submit an ERSA Application at www.pwdplanreview.org.

Refer to the Philadelphia Stormwater Management Guidance Manual for more information.

Submit all required materials directly to PWD before filing your permit application.

Then, fill out and submit your permit application at Permit and License Center in the MSB.

Submit all required materials directly to PWD before you submit your L&I permit application.

Then, file your permit application with L&I online through eCLIPSE.

Where required by zoning review for NCO/NCA overlays

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission

You must have this approval in order to apply. See how to get a neighborhood conservation overlay (NCO) or neighborhood commercial area (NCA) review for your project approval. 

You’ll need your plans with stamped approval from the City Planning Commission before you make your application to L&I. 

Submit your stamped plan as proof of approval when making your application at the Permit and License Center in the MSB.

Upload all plans and materials required by the City Planning Commission when applying for your permit in eCLIPSE.

PCPC will perform their review electronically and provide approval directly to L&I.

Where required by zoning review for areas with facade or other aesthetic controls on building design

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission

You must have this approval in order to apply. See how to get a facade review for your project approval.

You’ll need your plans with stamped approval from the City Planning Commission before you make your application to L&I.

Submit your stamped plan as proof of approval when making your application at the Permit and License Center in the MSB.

Upload all plans and materials required by the City Planning Commission when applying for your permit in eCLIPSE.

PCPC will perform its review electronically and provide approval directly to L&I.

You’ll need to follow Fire Command Center requirements to get Fire Department approval. Bring required materials to the Fire Department at: 

Fire Code Unit 240 Spring Garden St. Philadelphia, PA 19123

Submit a copy of your Fire Code Unit approval when making permit application at the Permit and License Center in the MSB.

Upload all materials required by the Philadelphia Fire Department when you apply for your permit in eCLIPSE.

The Fire Department will perform its review electronically and provide approval directly to L&I.

For projects with on-site sewage disposal (septic) or private wells

The Department of Public Health

You need a permit for a septic system or private sewer line. 

You must request the Department of Public Health permit before applying at the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). Bring a copy of your permit when you submit your L&I application at Permit and License Center in the MSB.

You must request the Department of Public Health permit before you submit your L&I permit application.

Upload a copy of your Department of Public Health permit when you apply for your L&I permit in eCLIPSE.

For certain healthcare and medical facilities

The Pennsylvania Department of Health

Your plan must be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Find more information about what’s needed and how to get approval. 

You must submit a plan to the Pennsylvania Department of Health for compliance before applying at the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). Bring a copy of your permit when you submit your L&I application at Permit and License Center in the MSB.

Upload a copy of your approved plan and letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Health when applying for your permit through eCLIPSE.

New construction of three or more adjacent dwellings or larger new construction or addition projects 

See the Builder’s Guide for Street Trees to make sure you’re providing enough plantings in your plan. Then visit:

Urban Forestry & EcoSystem Management Division 1515 Arch Street One Parkway Building Philadelphia, PA 19102

Parks and Recreation will provide approval.

Submit a copy of your Parks and Recreation approval when making permit application at the Permit and License Center in the MSB.

Submit all required materials directly to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation before you submit your L&I permit application.

Upload the approved document Philadelphia Parks & Recreation when you apply for your L&I permit in eCLIPSE.

You can apply online using eCLIPSE.

If you need help filing your application online, you can schedule a virtual appointment.

You need an appointment to visit the Permit and License Center in person.

Permit and License Center 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd. MSB, Public Service Concourse Philadelphia, PA 19102

Office hours: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Offices close at noon on the last Wednesday of each month.

This fee is nonrefundable and is applied towards the final permit fee.

The cost of your building permit depends on your project size and type.

Before applying, review the summary of building permit fees to estimate the cost.

The development impact tax will only apply to all residential, including multi-family, new construction and improvement projects eligible for a real estate tax abatement. For more information on the real estate tax exemptions, refer to sections 202 (c) – (e) of the regulations.

Applications for new construction that include plans are eligible for expedited review. Accelerated applications are reviewed within 5 business days.

To apply, fill out an Accelerated Plan Review request form and submit with your permit application. Accelerated review fees will not be credited toward your final permit fee.

Payment methods and details Accepted payment methods Where Accepted payment Online through the eCLIPSE application

(There is a $200,000 limit for online payments.)

(Items paid at the Cashier’s Station will be mailed within five business days.)

L&I will not accept checks that are missing depository information or are:

If your check is returned unpaid for insufficient or uncollected funds:

If you renew your license more than 60 days after the due date, you will be charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since the license expired.

You can apply for this permit in person at the Permit and License Center or online using eCLIPSE. 

The time it takes to process an application varies by type:

The applicant can accelerate the application for an additional fee. Accelerated applications are reviewed within 5 business days.

Some affordable housing projects are eligible for a 10-day review. See the related L&I regulation for more information.

To get a 10-day review for a qualified project:

If you don’t meet these requirements, your project will be reviewed in the standard time period.

If not approved, the applicant will receive an email stating what is missing or required.

Before a permit can be issued, the contractor must be identified.

Contact your local inspection office when the contractor is ready to start work. The contact information and required inspections will be noted on your permit.

A Certificate of Approval will be issued upon successful completion of all required inspections.

If applying as a licensed professional or contractor, you must first associate your license or registration with your online account.

The time it takes to process an application varies by type.

The applicant can accelerate the application for an additional fee. Accelerated applications are reviewed within 5 business days.

Some affordable housing projects are eligible for a 10-day review. See the related L&I regulation for more information.

To get a 10-day review for a qualified project:

If you don’t meet these requirements, your project will be reviewed in the standard time period.

If the application is not approved, you will receive an email stating what is missing or required.

Before a permit can be issued, the contractor must be identified and confirm their association with the project.

When the contractor is ready to start work, request an inspection through eCLIPSE or by calling (215) 255-4040.

Approval documents will be issued upon successful completion of all required inspections.

If you have any questions, submit an online request to 311 or call 311. Call (215) 686-8686 if you are outside Philadelphia.