Local building department guide · Updated 2026-07-30
Philadelphia Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact
Use this guide to find the official Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections, start a permit application, search permit records, schedule an inspection, and locate the correct zoning or plan review contact.
Start here
Quick actions
Apply for a building permit
Review the typical application path and prepare your project details.
See permit stepsTrack or search permits
Find Philadelphia permit search resources and application status links.
Search permitsSchedule a building inspection
Learn what to have ready before requesting your next inspection.
Schedule inspectionOther portal login
Open the department's official online services and permit portal.
Open portalPhiladelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) is the city building and code authority for construction inside Philadelphia. L&I reviews plans and issues building, zoning, plumbing, electrical, and related permits; it also inspects construction for building and fire-code compliance. Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county, so applicants should use this citywide authority rather than a separate municipal building office.
Philadelphia building permit process
Most residential and commercial building work starts with a zoning permit or zoning approval before the building permit. L&I’s official building-permit instructions identify the required plans, contractor information, Department of Streets approvals where applicable, and project-specific certifications. Applicants submit online through eCLIPSE, upload documents, pay filing fees, and monitor review comments in the account. A one- or two-family new-construction residential project generally requires a combination permit.
Inspections, code compliance, and occupancy
The permit holder or contractor must request the inspections listed for the permit. L&I accepts inspection requests through eCLIPSE and provides a telephone option at (215) 255-4040 when the permit number and inspection code are available. Construction must remain accessible for required inspections, and certifications for applicable systems must be submitted before final permit completion. Successful completion produces the applicable approval document, such as a Certificate of Approval or certificate/occupancy record required for the project.
Zoning and permit records
Philadelphia zoning permits regulate uses, building placement, height, density, parking, signs, and other land-use matters. L&I’s Atlas and eCLIPSE resources provide property, permit, violation, business-license, zoning, and certificate-of-occupancy information. Use the permit tracker for an application number, and use Atlas or the records service when researching historical permits or occupancy documents.
Official contact information
L&I lists its Permit and License Center contact location as 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102. Call 311 within Philadelphia or (215) 686-8686 from outside the city for general assistance. Always verify the current permit type, code edition, fees, and inspection requirements on the official source pages before starting work.
Permit process
How to Apply for a Philadelphia Building Permit
Confirm the project scope
Identify the work, property address, project valuation, and whether plans are required.
Prepare your documents
Gather plans, owner and contractor details, site information, and any zoning approvals.
Submit and monitor
Submit through the department’s stated process, pay fees, and watch for review comments.
Field work & closeout
Building Inspections & Code Compliance in Philadelphia
Most permitted work must remain accessible for inspection at defined stages. Before scheduling, check your permit record for the required inspection sequence and make sure the site is safe and ready. Final inspections can be especially important for code compliance and a certificate of occupancy.
Helpful preparation
Keep the permit card or approval number available, confirm the property address, and ask the official office about lead times or reinspection fees.
Planning & review
Zoning and Plan Review Requirements
A building permit is not always the only approval your project needs. Zoning guidelines may affect use, setbacks, height, parking, signage, or lot coverage. Residential and commercial building permits can also follow different plan review tracks, so confirm the correct path before investing in a full plan set.
For a project in Philadelphia, start with the official department below and ask which zoning, planning, conservation, or fire review approvals apply to your address.
Keep this handy
Official Contact Information
| Department | Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections |
|---|---|
| Phone | 311 (215) 686-8686 |
| Address | 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102 |
| Official website | https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/ |
| Last verified | 2026-07-30 |
Official source pages used for this guide
These links were checked on 2026-07-30. Requirements, fees, office hours, and portal addresses can change; use the official source as the final authority.
- https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/
- https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/apply-for-a-permit/building-and-repair-permits/get-a-building-permit/
- https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/request-an-li-inspection/
- https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/permits-and-certificates/zoning-permits-and-approvals/
- https://www.phila.gov/li-permit-tracker/
- https://eclipse.phila.gov/
- https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-copy-of-a-license-permit-or-violation/