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Philadelphia Accepted into FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS)
We’re excited to share great news for the City and our residents: Philadelphia has officially been accepted into FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS). This achievement means eligible properties citywide can receive a 15% discount on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies.
Acceptance into the CRS follows a multi-year FEMA evaluation of the City’s floodplain management regulations, enforcement practices, and compliance with NFIP requirements. Through this process, Philadelphia strengthened public education, permitting, enforcement, and compliance documentation—improvements reflected in the updated Guide for Development in the Floodplain and supporting the City’s long-term flood resilience.
This milestone would not have been possible without the dedication of L&I stakeholders, whose contributions were critical to the City’s successful application. Thank you for your continued cooperation and commitment to making Philadelphia safer and more resilient.
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eCLIPSE System Maintenance Complete
We recently performed a back-end upgrade to the eCLIPSE system to improve security and reliability. We apologize for any disruption or inconvenience that this upgrade caused and appreciate your patience during this period.
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A2L Refrigerants: Discussing Research, Standards, Codes, and Regulations
Join industry experts, Tom Dreary (AHRI Senior Director of Codes) and Stephen Spletzer (Chemours Company Global Technical Service Manager) for an informative presentation on the transition to A2L refrigerants and the changes in regulations, standards, and codes shaping this industry-wide shift.
This presentation will provide an overview of the transition to A2L refrigerants and explain why this change is necessary across the HVACR industry. Topics Include:
- What A2L refrigerants are and why the transition is happening
- Key policy drivers
- Updates to major standards and model codes (UL, ASHRAE, IMC, IRC, IFC/NFPA 1)
- State and local updates, including Pennsylvania HB 2079 (Act 123)
- Resources for additional information
This session is ideal for contractors, developers, engineers and anyone seeking to stay current on A2L refrigerant requirements and implementation.
This session will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.
**Attendees can receive 2.0 hours of continuing education credits for this course. Attendees must sign on individually to be eligible for CEUs.**
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L&I eCLIPSE Q&A Session
The Department of Licenses and Inspections will host a 60-minute open Q&A session to address specific permit application questions for users with some experience using eCLIPSE.
This session will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this session.
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Rental License Renewal Webinar
L&I ISC will be offering a 1-hour webinar to provide an overview of the rental license renewal process and new license application information.
This session will be held on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this webinar.
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Future Sessions
Do you have any recommendations for additional webinar topics, general process clarification or general code interpretation? Complete and submit this online form to provide your feedback.
Note: This form is for general process clarification and/or general code interpretations and no direct response will be provided by the Department. Any project-specific questions requiring a direct response must be submitted through the online help form.
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Philadelphia Contractor Requirements Webinar Slides
L&I conducted a webinar on the responsibilities of licensed contractors. The session covered contractor compliance requirements, common violations, and penalties. The slides used during this webinar are posted on the website.
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Upcoming ICC Exam Update
The following Philadelphia ICC examinations will transition to references based on the 2021 International Codes and associated standards, including the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC), beginning March 15, 2026:
- Master Electrician
- Fire Suppression Installer/ Worker
- Engineer, All Grades
- Demolition, Class A and B
The referenced code edition will be determined by the date the exam is taken, not the date it is scheduled.
For the most current exam details, please refer to ICC’s Philadelphia Contractor Exam Information Bulletin.
Stay tuned for information on the transition timeline for the Philadelphia Journeyman and Master Plumber Exams.
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Home Improvement Registration
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s system is still experiencing issues stemming from an August 9 incident and is currently unable to issue or renew Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registrations.
As a result, the December 31, 2025, expiration date for HIC registrations issued or renewed on or after August 9 has been extended to June 30, 2026, while the Attorney General’s Office works to resolve the situation.
Please visit the Attorney General’s website for complete information and updates.
Philadelphia Registration Processing During the Outage
Until service is restored, the Department will process Philadelphia registrations required for permit issuance as follows:
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New PA HIC: Mail your application to the State and upload the acknowledgment form with your L&I license application.
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Existing PA HIC / New Philadelphia Registration: Upload a copy of your expired PA registration with your L&I license application.
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Existing PA HIC / Existing Philadelphia Registration: Submit a renewal or amendment and upload your current license with your L&I license application.
Registrations issued or renewed under this temporary process will expire on June 30, 2026. Once the PA system is restored, you must update your Philadelphia registration with a valid PA HIC certificate.
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New Preconstruction Survey and Monitoring Forms
L&I is introducing new Preconstruction Survey and Monitoring forms to ensure potential impacts on adjacent buildings and required oversight are fully documented and clearly communicated to owners, contractors, and special inspectors.
The Preconstruction Survey Summary Form must accompany surveys by a licensed professional engineer and include all conditions needing monitoring or protection. The Monitoring Plan must detail observation methods, frequency, and tolerances.
Starting April 1, 2026, all Construction or Demolition Permit applications affecting adjacent properties must include these forms.
To support compliance, the Department hosted an information session reviewing Building Code provisions related to property protection and providing step-by-step guidance on completing the new forms. The slides used during this information session will be posted to the website.
If you have immediate questions or concerns regarding these requirements, please submit them through our online form.
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New Insurance Submission Requirement
for New Construction and Complete Demolition Permits
Bill No. 240304-A was enacted on January 20, 2026, establishing new insurance submission requirements for new construction and complete demolition projects.
Under this ordinance, developers and contractors must ensure that adjacent property owners are additionally insured under the project’s general liability insurance policy. This coverage protects neighboring property owners from claims arising out of the named insured’s actions or operations.
Starting April 1, 2026, no new construction or complete demolition permit will be issued unless a Certificate of Insurance (COI) meeting the following criteria is uploaded under Hold Permit Issuance – COI:
- Minimum general liability coverage of $1,000,000 for new construction operations
- Minimum general liability coverage of $2,000,000 for complete demolition operations
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The Description of Operations section must explicitly state: “Covers operations of the named insured”
Additionally, contractors and developers are required to maintain this insurance for the duration of the construction or demolition project and must provide adjacent property owners with a current copy of the COI throughout the operation.
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Construction Permit Expiration and Extension Reminder
Construction must begin within six months of permit issuance and may not remain inactive for more than six months. Permit holders may request up to two six-month extensions. If an extension is not requested, the permit will automatically expire.
All extension requests are reviewed by a Building Inspector. If approved, the contractor will be notified by email and must submit the $50 extension fee within five business days. Failure to remit payment will void the approval and result in permit expiration.
Please revisit our ‘When Does My Construction Permit Expire’ FAQ for complete information on expirations and extensions.
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Enforcement Priorities
AIU would like to call your attention to the following enforcement priorities:
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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 three (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). A $2,000 fine accompanies that citation.
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Subcontracting - Subcontractors must always be licensed and carry a valid contractor or trade license (for trade work) whenever they work. 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.
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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 three 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.
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Violation Data Report
Audit and Investigations Unit (AIU) issued $86,900.00 in license violation fines, reinspection fees, and judgments for Time Period (12-17-2025 – 1-16-2026)
The following violations and citations were issued.
- Contractor Hired Unlicensed Sub-Contractor: $11,000.00
- Deviating from or Disregarding Approved Plans: $0
- Failure to Add All Subcontractors to Permit: $0
- Failure to Comply with Philadelphia Code: $9000
- Failure to Cooperate with Audit/Investigation: $7,000.00
- Failure to Maintain Insurance: $15,000.00
- Letting Others Use License: $0
- Letting Other use Permit: $0
- Owner/Developer Hired Unlicensed Sub-Contractor: $0
- Providing False Information on a Permit/License Application: $3,000.00
- Work on a Major Building Without OSHA 30 Holder Onsite: $0
- Worker Without OSHA 10 Certification: $13,000.00
- Working Without Required Inspections: $0
- Working Without the Required Permit: $7,000.00
- Working Without Valid License: $7,000.00
- Required Conduct Contractor: $3,000.00
- Required Conduct Inspection Agency: $9000.00
- Building Certification Judgements: $0
- Building Certification Reinspection Fees: $0
- Miscellaneous Violations (Vacant Property and Sanitation) $1900.00
- Failure to provide reports $1000
The Audits and Investigations Unit will continue to follow up and monitor contractors' activities.
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Preconstruction Meeting Pilot
Beginning this spring, the Department will launch a pilot program requiring a mandatory preconstruction meeting for certain residential new construction projects. The contractor will be responsible for convening all parties and scheduling the meeting, with mandatory participation by special inspectors and the design professional in charge of special inspections.
Additional procedural details and information session announcements will be shared in a future newsletter.
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New EVITP Certification Requirement for Electrical Contractors
A new law requires that all electrical contractors installing, upgrading, or repairing electric vehicle chargers hold a valid certification through the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP).
Beginning, July 2026, no electrical permit for EV charger installation or repair may be issued unless the contractors license includes a valid EVITP certification or approved equivalent.
Electrical contractors may begin amending their licenses to add EVITP certification this March.
If you would like to submit for approval an equivalent program, please visit our website for details.
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Property Tax Flag
Starting on June 1, 2026, certain permits will be withheld if a property has unpaid real estate taxes, fees, or liens in accordance with Section 202.7 of the Philadelphia Administrative Code. All outstanding debts must be resolved with the Department of Revenue before a permit can be issued.
Permits affected include:
- Zoning Permits for development (e.g., new construction, additions, site or lot adjustments).
- Zoning Permits granted by variance or special exception.
- Building Permits for new construction or additions.
You can check the status of any property through the Philadelphia Tax Center Property Search.
Coming July 1, 2026: Permit Holds for Outstanding L&I Fines
Last summer, L&I ISC launched Phase 1 of an initiative to strengthen compliance and build a safer city by withholding licenses from contractors with outstanding L&I fines.
Phase 2 is coming. Beginning July 1, 2026, contractors with unresolved fines will also be unable to obtain permits until balances are cleared. Stay compliant to avoid delays and keep projects moving.
Check the contractor look-up on our website for violations and your eCLIPSE account for outstanding fines.
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Free OSHA Safety Consultation
Employers can receive no-cost safety, health and industrial hygiene evaluations by signing up for a program run by Indiana University of Pennsylvania's (IUP) Safety Sciences Department.
Through the PA OSHA Consultation Program, IUP consultants conduct occupational safety and health evaluations and work with business owners to address issues. The on-site visits are confidential since the program operates independently from OSHA's regulation enforcement.
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Neighborhood City Halls
Each month, the Department of Licenses & Inspections joins the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Engagement’s Neighborhood Community Action Centers - also known as Neighborhood City Halls - to bring City services directly to you.
Our goal is simple: be a part of a government that residents can see, touch and feel in every neighborhood.
When you stop by your local session, you can:
- Get help with property maintenance or construction concerns.
- Report unsafe buildings or illegal work.
- Learn about required permits and licensing.
- Ask questions about inspections or enforcement.
- Connect with other City agencies for quality-of-life matters.
At every visit, our team will listen, document your concern, set a clear deadline and follow up until the issue is resolved.
These monthly events are your chance to meet L&I in person, address issues on the spot, and learn how we can work together to keep our neighborhoods safe and thriving. To find out what day L&I will be in your neighborhood, call your local Action Center.
| | Back issues of the L&I Newsletters are available on the L&I website under Resources. | | | | |
