Acknowledgement

PA Construction Power 100 List

The City of Philadelphia’s, Commissioner of Licenses and Inspections, Ralph DiPietro, is named the City & State 2023 Construction Power 100. To view the top 100 people who were nominated for helping to build a better Pennsylvania, visit https://www.cityandstatepa.com/power-lists/2023/04/2023-construction-power-100/384889/

Announcement / Engagement

L&I information sessions

The Department of Licenses and Inspections is offering regular information sessions to assist stakeholders in navigating L&I processes and keeping abreast of code changes. A list of current offerings is provided below. Customers can also sign-up for this and future webinars under the “Events” section of the L&I homepage (www.phila.gov/li).

• L&I eCLIPSE Permitting Basics webinar - L&I will be conducting a 2-hour public training session on the basics of filing permit applications through the online eCLIPSE system. This webinar is an introductory session intended for new users. The session will be held on Wednesday, May 10th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

• L&I eCLIPSE Q&A session - The Department of L&I will be hosting a 90-minute open Q&A session to address specific permit application questions for users with some experience using eCLIPSE. This session will be held on Wednesday, May 24th from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

• Floodplain Development webinar - This floodplain development webinar will provide the latest overview of floodplain development in Philadelphia, including a review of our "Guide to Development in a Floodplain", Code Bulletin for development in the SFHA, and Flood Protection forms. This session will be held on Tuesday, June 13th from 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending the webinar.

Note: Capacity is limited and, in order to accommodate all stakeholders, we ask that you only register if you plan on attending the session and, if your circumstances change, please cancel your registration.

Building Sciences - Building envelope protection

The Department of Licenses and Inspections is announcing an opportunity to provide professional quality technical training for building envelope protections. L&I is seeking the services of an educational provider to develop and present to the department’s staff and public participants the principles of water control management in building envelopes, to include areas of typical system failures.

If you or your organization has subject matter experience and are interested in providing high-level training, please go to https://philawx.phila.gov/econtract/.

Information for Opportunity: 21220721112505

Floodplain maps for Southwest Philadelphia, Eastwick section

FEMA recently produced an updated floodplain map of the Eastwick section of Philadelphia providing additional information for residents about potential flooding in their community. To learn more about the new Eastwick FEMA flood mapping and the Office of Sustainability’s work in Eastwick, visit the Eastwick: from Recovery to Resilience webpage or email eastwick@phila.gov for more information.

Landlord gateway event

To register for this event, use the QR code or link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-landlord-gateway-launch-event-tickets-616077643817



Permitting

eCLIPSE zoning permit application 

As a reminder, beginning May 1, 2023, documents required for City Planning site plan approval MUST be uploaded as a separate file in the eCLIPSE Zoning Permit Application. This requirement is intended to mitigate downstream delay that may occur when a zoning plan is revised for reasons un-related to the City Planning review. 

Historical Commission review for adjacent property

Excavation, demolition, or construction work occurring within 90 feet of historic structure on the same or adjacent parcel is subject to the protection of property requirements. However, work occurring within 90 feet of a non-contributing building is excluded from these requirements.

In order to streamline reviews and verify applicable adjacent property impact requirements, a PHC review has been added to eCLIPSE. This new PHC review will allow the Philadelphia Historical Commission to affirm through the eCLIPSE application, whether the building located within 90 feet is considered contributing (and subject to protection of adjacent property reviews) or non-contributing.



Audits & Investigations

Enforcement priorities

AIU would like to call your attention to the following enforcement priorities:

• Insurance Requirements - In accordance with Title 9-1004, all licensed contractors must maintain, at minimum, the following insurances: workers' compensation insurance, comprehensive general liability, and motor vehicle liability. Failure to maintain proper insurance, and to provide proof of continued coverage by submitting renewal certificates to the Department, will result in the contractor being cited with a violation of 9-1004(5). That citation is accompanied by a $1,000 fine. 

• Contractors and Subcontractors Information - In accordance with Title 9-1004, contractors who hire a subcontractor to perform work authorized by their permit, must list the subcontractor on the permit in eCLIPSE within 3 days of the commencement of any work authorized by that permit, unless that permit is for a residential building of two dwelling units or less. If the Department establishes that a contractor has failed to do this, the contractor will be cited with a violation of 9-1004(8). That citation is accompanied by a $2,000 fine.  

• Subcontracting - Subcontractors must always be licensed. They must carry a valid contractor or trade license (for trade work) whenever they are working. A subcontractor is any person or business hired to perform work authorized by a permit, who is not identified on that permit’s application as the prime (or responsible) contractor. 

• Worker Certification - Every worker at a Philadelphia construction site must have OSHA-10 training and carry their card with them when they’re on the job. If a building more than 3 stories or 40 feet tall is being constructed or demolished, an OSHA-30 trained site safety supervisor must be on site whenever the site is active.  

• Property Maintenance and Fire Protection Certifications - Property maintenance certifications (i.e. facade, fire escape, private bridge, and pier) and fire protection certifications (i.e. fire suppression, fire alarm, damper, etc.) must be submitted through eCLIPSE as of April 1, 2023. The Department will begin issuing Code Violation Notices and fines to contractors that fail to upload fire protection system certifications. Review Code Bulletin A-2204: Periodic Inspection Report for submission requirements and the L&I website to review the most recent annual certifications webinar slides.

Violation data report

The Department issued $72,000 in license violation fines in March 2023. Of that total, $18,000 in fines were issued for the use of unlicensed subcontractors or failure to adequately disclose subcontractor usage and $24,000 were issued to contractors for using workers without the required OSHA training. 

Reminders

Mobile fueling license

A new regulation has been established to require a Fleet Vehicle Mobile Fueling License to fuel fleet vehicles at commercial, industrial, governmental, or manufacturing establishments. Business owners must submit a completed Fleet Vehicle Mobile Fueling Operation Information form for all new licenses and license amendments. For more information, visit the website.