Administrative overview · FIPS 42101
Philadelphia County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)
For a project in or near Philadelphia County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
311 within Philadelphia; 215-686-8686 from outside Philadelphia; inspection scheduling: 215-255-4040
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Permit and License Center, 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Municipal Services Building, Public Service Concourse, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Operating hours
Permit and License Center: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; offices close at noon on the last Wednesday of each month. Regular inspection hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Review expectation
Standard review timing varies by permit type and completeness. Philadelphia offers optional accelerated plan review for eligible new-construction applications, reviewed within 5 business days for a $2,000 fee; contractor-license applications are generally reviewed within 5 business days. Permit review timelines should be confirmed in eCLIPSE or with L&I.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Philadelphia County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 311 within Philadelphia; 215-686-8686 from outside Philadelphia; inspection scheduling: 215-255-4040.
How long might review take?
Standard review timing varies by permit type and completeness. Philadelphia offers optional accelerated plan review for eligible new-construction applications, reviewed within 5 business days for a $2,000 fee; contractor-license applications are generally reviewed within 5 business days. Permit review timelines should be confirmed in eCLIPSE or with L&I.
How are inspections scheduled?
The contractor must schedule inspections after permit issuance through eCLIPSE or by calling 215-255-4040 with the two-letter, 10-digit permit number and applicable inspection code. L&I inspectors do not submit requests for the contractor. After-hours inspections require a District Office request at least two business days in advance and additional fees.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Beginning July 1, 2026, Philadelphia adopts the 2021 ICC family with local amendments: 2021 International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Existing Building, Performance, Energy Conservation, Fuel Gas, and Plumbing Codes; 2020 National Electrical Code; and the Philadelphia Fire Code based on the 2018 International Fire Code, with 2021 IFC provisions where referenced. Philadelphia's official applicable-codes page lists the locally codified versions and notes that 2018 accessibility provisions continue to apply. Philadelphia requires permits for new construction, enlargements/additions, interior or exterior changes, partial or complete demolition, occupancy changes, occupant-load increases, major repairs, and earth disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more. Eligible minor work may use EZ Permits without plan submission; regular maintenance and certain listed minor alterations may be permit-exempt or covered by specific EZ permit rules. Emergency repairs may proceed immediately only for sudden conditions threatening life or property, with required notification, documentation, and a permit application filed within three business days.