Announcement / Engagement

Register for our 6th annual L&I focus group sessions

It’s that time of year and we want to hear from you! If you would 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 would like to see done better. Sessions are open to anyone who has previously applied for a license or permit, including but not limited to homeowners, business owners, property owners, property managers, contractors, architects, engineers, attorneys, or expediters.

• L&I Focus Group Session 1: Monday, September 11^th @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Register
• L&I Focus Group Session 2: Tuesday, September 12^th @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. - Register
• L&I Focus Group Session 3: Tuesday, September 12^th @ 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. - Register
• L&I Focus Group Session 4: Wednesday, September 13^th @ 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. - Register
• L&I Focus Group Session 5: Thursday, September 14^th @ 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. - Register
• L&I Focus Group Session 6: Friday, September 15^th @ 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. - Register

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.

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 them informed 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 filling out permit applications through the online eCLIPSE system. This webinar is an introductory session intended for new users. The session will be held on Wednesday, September 20th from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session

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.

L&I job announcements

The Department of Licenses and Inspections is looking for qualified candidates to fill the following vacancies:

• IT Applications Administrator – This position provides support for L&I and end users in daily use of our business applications (Office 365, eCLIPSE, Qless, Payment processing apps, etc.) and acts as an interface to OIT for OIT application support requests. For more information or to submit an application, click here.

• Communications Manager – This position is responsible for coordinating media relations and digital communications for the Department of Licenses and Inspections. For more information or to submit an application, click here.

Building envelope protections workshop

The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) will soon be offering a four (4) part virtual training workshop on the science of building envelope protections. The course will cover various aspects of building durability, including condensation control and water management. Look out for more information and open registration in next month’s Newsletter.

Miscellaneous

Expanded chat hours 

For help navigating eCLIPSE with submitting your license and permit applications, you can engage in a Chat session. The Chat hours have been expanded and are available between 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Rental improvement fund program

The Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) is offering loans to help small landlords pay for repairs to their rental properties through the Rental Improvement Fund (RIF). To learn more about this program, please visit the PHDC’s website at: https://bit.ly/rentalimprove.



Permitting

The following permit resources were recently added to the website (www.phila.gov/li): 

• Historic Variance Code Bulletin – The Code Bulletin Z-1401-R1 for Impacts of Previous Variances on New Zoning Permit Applications, was modified to re-establish criteria for approval based on current laws.

• Zoning Permit for Electrical Vehicle Charger (EVC) FAQ - This document provides the requirements for obtaining a zoning permit when adding EVC's to an existing parking lot or garage.

• Plumbing Insulation FAQ - This document provides requirements for pipe insulation of water heated by water heaters in accordance with the 2018 IECC.



Licensing

Unlicensed short-term rental properties

Short-term rental properties are available to rent on websites such as Airbnb and VRBO. These websites are also known as “booking agents.” The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) is notifying short-term rental booking agents to delist unlicensed short-term rental properties. As L&I enters a new phase of enforcement in coordination with a 2021 City Council ordinance, many unlicensed short-term rental listings will be removed from the booking agent’s website

For more information on license requirements, please visit the website.

Audits & Investigations

Enforcement priorities

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

• Contractors and Subcontractors Information - In accordance with the Philadelphia Code 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.

• Stop Work Orders- When L&I issues a Stop Work Order at a construction site, it is imperative that work stops. A new ordinance signed into law in 2021 makes the penalty for violating a Stop Work Order a license suspension, in addition to the violation and fines.

License discipline

Lorenc Construction- The Department issued a 3-month suspension to Lorenc Construction LLC for repeatedly failing to comply with the provisions of The Philadelphia Code. The Department discovered Lorenc Construction operating with an expired contractor’s license under another contractor’s permit, hiring unlicensed subcontractors, and violating a Stop Work Order.  

Regulations

New L&I regulation

The Department promulgated the below regulation which has been advertised and posted to the City website and shall become law after 30 days should no public hearing be requested.

• Permit Amendments – This regulation further modifies the current policy on zoning permit amendments.

Reminders

Philadelphia Water Department stormwater management review - Permit completion holds

As a reminder, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) will insert holds on new building permit applications that trigger the PWD Stormwater Management Review. PWD will resolve the hold once compliance is confirmed for the project and associated permit including, but not limited to, the following:

1. PWD Final Inspection Complete (PWD Regulations 600.8(g))

2. Compliant Record Drawing (PWD Regulations 600.8(h))

3. Execution and recording of Operations & Maintenance Agreement (PWD Regulations 600.12)

               

The Final CO will not be issued by L&I until the PWD hold has been resolved. Please note that the Temporary CO may also be held for projects that include a stormwater-related Zoning Code Bonus.

PWD will also continue to impose holds on any issued permits with violation concerns..

Electrical inspection agency changes

As a reminder, the owner or operator is responsible for selecting the third-party electrical inspection agency that is responsible for inspections under an electrical permit. The agency must be named at permit application. An electrical inspection agency may only be modified through a permit amendment and will only be approved if there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. availability of agency).

If a contract associated with an electrical permit is terminated, the electrical inspection agency must inform the department. The agency must upload a completed Electrical Inspection Agency Contract Termination Form when submitting an electrical permit status update through their eCLIPSE portal.