Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) issues building and zoning permits and performs construction inspections. Most permit applications can be submitted through eCLIPSE, the city’s online permitting system, which also allows applicants to coordinate required approvals from other city departments. In many cases, a Zoning Permit must be obtained before the related Building Permit can be issued.
Zoning review can involve more than confirming the property’s base zoning district. Certain projects require additional review by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, including development affected by neighborhood overlays, steep-slope or watershed protections, landscaping requirements, subdivision issues, or other location-specific standards. Projects that cannot comply with the zoning code may require an appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Philadelphia’s extensive inventory of historic buildings creates another important permitting layer. Work involving properties listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places requires approval from the Philadelphia Historical Commission. This review is integrated with the building-permit process, and L&I will not issue an applicable permit without the required historic approval.
Projects affecting streets, sidewalks, parking areas, or other parts of the public right-of-way may also require Department of Streets review or separate permits. Applicants can begin with the City’s L&I permits and certificates resources and use eCLIPSE to identify building, zoning, historic, planning, and Streets approvals connected to the project.