L&I Newsletter
July 2021
Engagement

 Register for our 4th annual L&I focus group session
 
It’s that time of year and we want to hear from you! If you’d like to be part of improving how L&I does business, you’re invited to participate in an upcoming focus group session. These sessions are a way for you to give feedback on how we’re doing and what you’d like to see done better. Sessions are open to anyone who has previously applied for a license or permit, including but not limited to home-, business-, or property-owners, property managers, contractors, architects, engineers, attorneys, or expediters.
 
  • Tuesday, August 31st
  • L&I Focus Group: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 am. - register
  • L&I Focus Group: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - register

  • Wednesday, September 1st
  • L&I Focus Group: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. - register
  • L&I Focus Group: 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - register

  • Thursday, September 2nd
  • L&I Focus Group: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. - register

  • Friday, September 3rd
  • L&I Focus Group: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. - register
 
Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email prior to the session with the topics that will be discussed. Each session will be held virtually.

Below is a summary on how your feedback has directly resulted in process improvements over the last year:

  • L&I Remote Support Improvements:
  • Reduced the number of inquiry forms to streamline process and reduce confusion.
  • Added an Examiner Appointment option for additional information requests once plans have been reviewed.
  • Piloting a new Chat tool this Summer that will connect you with an L&I agent to support your eCLIPSE needs and increase ticketing transparency with a full launch coming this Fall.

  • Communications Improvements:
  • Adopted a monthly newsletter schedule.
  • Added additional website content for Inspections and help content for eCLIPSE.
  • Webinars:
  • Offered at least quarterly.
  • Responded to demand for relevant topics.
  • Coordinated sessions with Partner Organizations.
  • Used to rollout new department processes.

  • Continuous process improvements for eCLIPSE:
  • Added an online payment option for violation fees and fines.
  • Made license error messages more clear.
  • Improved appeal submission process for correspondence through eCLIPSE.
  • Enhanced the address search functionality.
  • Added a business license amendment option.
  • Implemented improvements to our internal portal to assist staff use of the system.
  • Regularly met with sister agencies that interact with eCLIPSE to discuss issues and improve experience.

  • Upcoming enhancements in the works:
  • Bulk rental license renewals
  • Hold process improvements
  • Consolidated review comments document
Customer Support

Chat functionality is coming soon!

We will be launching a new chat tool this fall that will allow you the ability to chat with an L&I agent during business hours to support your eCLIPSE navigational needs. We will be piloting this tool during the next few weeks so keep an eye out for the chat tool icon at the bottom of the eCLIPSE page.
Permitting

The following resources were recently added to the L&I website (www.phila.gov/li)

 
  • Plumbing FAQ for using sanitary venting methods other than Section P-919 of the 2018 Philadelphia Plumbing Code for sanitary plumbing systems.


Modified limited lodging FAQ

Bill No. 210081 was recently signed by the mayor changing the existing regulations for owners or renters that offer their homes as limited lodging rentals in Philadelphia. The regulations have been amended to now require a zoning permit for all properties that are rented as limited lodging regardless of the number of days they are rented. The limited lodging FAQ on our website has been updated to reflect these changes.  


Regulations and ordinances that may impact your project

1) The Mixed District Regulation provides the City Planning Commission direction on which zoning district to select when a lot has more than one base zoning district designation.


2) The Affordable Housing Regulation provides the requirements for affordable housing projects. Qualified affordable housing projects may be eligible for a reduced application review period of 10 business days. The application must include a description of the type of affordable housing and applicable documentation at the time of submission. Failure to comply will result in a standard 15 day review.


3) Council President Clark's development impact tax proposal (Bill No. 200556) was passed by Council in late 2020 and signed by the Mayor on January 27, 2021. This bill will impose a development tax of 1% on residential new construction and improvement projects that are eligible for a tax abatement. Permit applications filed on or after January 1, 2022 will be subject to this tax. 


4) Bill No. 210389 (excavation work, licensing and safeguards), was signed by the Mayor on July 15, 2021 and will take effect on January 2, 2023. The Department will disseminate information and offer webinars to review requirements as we work towards the January 2, 2023 effective date. The following is a summary of the requirements of this bill:

Excavations:

  • A specialized trade license will be required with increased insurance, bonding, and OSHA 3015 training on excavations and soil mechanics to perform excavation work, excluding utility trenches and geotechnical exploration.

  • A separate permit will be required for excavation more than 5 feet below grade and within 10 feet of an existing structure, excluding excavation for utilities or geotechnical exploration. The permit application will require an excavation plan and a pre-construction survey.

  • Continuous special inspection by a specialized inspector will be required during excavation.

Protection of Historic Structures:

  • A preconstruction plan and/or monitoring plan prepared by a licensed engineer will be required under the following conditions:

  • Excavation, construction, or demolition occurring within 90’ of a building or structure designated on the Philadelphia Registry of Historic Places and located on the same or an abutting lot.

  • A building designated on the Philadelphia Registry of Historical Places is undergoing structural alterations or additions, except a building used as a one-or two- family dwelling.

  • Special inspections must be conducted by a specialized inspector in accordance with the approved monitoring plan.
Licenses

Fire suppression system apprentice license

A Fire Suppression System Apprentice License application that is submitted on or after September 1, 2021 must include a Program Sponsor and Apprenticeship Agreement form (Form 671) as proof of enrollment in an approved Fire Suppression Systems Apprentice program. The program must be registered with the United States Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Council.

Form 671 must document at least 8,000 hours of practical experience in the installation or maintenance of fire suppression systems and at least 800 hours of classroom, shop or related instruction in the fire suppression system trade. If you or your apprenticeship sponsor does not have a copy of Form 671, your sponsor may obtain a copy through the Department of Labor RAPIDS system.

Please be sure to redact your SSN from Form 671 before uploading this form to eCLIPSE with your license application.

Reminders

New fire suppression systems licenses are coming soon

Bill No. 200365 was enacted September 17, 2020 to modify the Fire Suppression Systems Worker (FSSW) license to add two additional licensure categories:

  • Specialty – required for the annual inspection of water-based fire protection systems.

  • Commercial Kitchen Fire Extinguishing System – limited license for those who only perform work on kitchen fire extinguishing systems.

These licenses are not required until March 15, 2022. To avoid the peak period, fire suppression contractors can apply for these licenses at eCLIPSE.phila.gov beginning as soon as September 15 2021.


Site violation notices (SVNs) will be implemented soon

As a reminder, L&I inspectors will begin issuing Site Violation Notices (SVNs). SVNs are intended to penalize and deter infractions that can be quickly complied on site when an inspector comes along but tend to reoccur once the inspector leaves. SVNs carry monetary penalties that go into effect immediately and can be issued each time the inspector observes the violation. Refer to the website for more information about L&I violations.

 
Tire dealer license is now available in eCLIPSE

Any business that purchases or sells tires, whether they are new or used will need to have a Tire Dealer License by December 31, 2021. The license application is now available through eCLIPSE.

For more information, visit the website.


Tax abatement deadline is approaching

This is a reminder that modifications to tax abatements administered by the Office of Property Assessment (OPA) will take effect on January 1, 2022.

Customers who want to obtain the current tax abatement for their projects must submit their issued building permit and abatement application to OPA on or before December 31, 2021.

To receive your building permit in time to do this, you must file your building permit applications with all pre-requisite approvals by October 1, 2021, to allow adequate time for processing.

Please review the Tax Abatement Process Guide for more information on required reviews and associated timelines that may impact the issuance of your building permit.

For more information about the tax abatement and modification, refer to the OPA website.
Back issues of the L&I Newsletters are available on the L&I website under Resources.