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 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).

• Protection of Property and New Chimney Extension Regulations webinar – This information session will review protection of property requirements that became effective on January 1, 2023, and the Department’s implementation of new chimney and vent extension regulations. This session will be held on Tuesday, November 28th from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

• 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, December 6th from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session. 

• L&I Website and Resources webinar – L&I will be conducting a 1-hour public training session to walk you through the department’s website and provide an overview of available L&I resources. The session will be held on Wednesday, December 13th from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

• Future Sessions – We want to know which topics you would like us to cover in the future. If you have a suggestion, please complete this online form.

Note: Capacity is limited and 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 envelope protections workshop

The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) is 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. The course is intended for licensed contractors and design professionals.

Part 1: We have a Moisture Problem

(Identify a problem with the housing stock; Why it is a problem; How to fix the problem)

• Tuesday, November 7th @ 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. – To register, click here.
• Tuesday, December 12th @ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. – To register, click here.
• Tuesday, February 13th @ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. – To register, click here.

Part 2: Moisture in Buildings

(Types of moisture; How moisture moves; Steps to controlling moisture in buildings)

• Tuesday, November 7th @ 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – To register, click here.
• Tuesday, December 12th @ 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. – To register, click here.
• Tuesday, February 13th @ 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. – To register, click here.

Part 3: Construction Assemblies

(Below grade construction; Above grade construction; Roofs, Parapets, and Penetrations)

• Thursday, November 9th @ 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. – To register, click here.
• Thursday, December 14th @ 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. – To register, click here.
• Thursday, February 15th @ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. – To register, click here.

Part 4: Water management Strategies

(Grading; WRB; Flashing; Cladding)

• Thursday, November 9th @ 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – To register, click here.
• Thursday, December 14th @ 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – To register, click here.
• Thursday, February 15th @ 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – To register, click here.

Landlord gateway educational series training

The Landlord Gateway Program centralizes resources to help both current and prospective landlords navigate the City’s processes, requirements, and guidance through a single location. To help educate landlords and renters through these processes, the city is providing a landlord gateway education training series on a bi-monthly schedule.

• Wednesday, November 8th – Records and Wills
• Thursday, November 30th – Licenses & Inspections
• Thursday, December 7th – Health Department
• Thursday, December 14th - TBD

To register for one or more of the sessions, check out the “Events” section on the Landlord Gateway website or click here. 

Upcoming OSHA 3015 training

A two-day OSHA 3015 course is being offered by Med-Tex Services starting on Tuesday, November 14th through Wednesday, November 15th. As a reminder, the Excavation Contractor License is required to perform excavations more than 5 feet below adjacent grade (excluding utility trenches, and exploratory investigations). This license requires the identification of at least one site safety manager that has completed the OSHA 3015 Excavation, Trenching, and Soil Mechanics Course or an approved alternative.

L&I inspectors trained in Fentanyl safety

It is L&I’s goal to educate the field staff to the awareness of fentanyl and what to do if exposed or in the presence of this substance. With the assistance of the Department of Public Health, the L&I inspection staff recently completed a Fentanyl Training course. 



Permitting

Proposed plumbing code amendments

Bill No. 230653 was introduced to City Council. This bill primarily addresses certain errors and omissions that have been identified since the original implementation of the 2018 Philadelphia Plumbing Code. Please refer to the legislation section of the City Council site to track status.

The below formatting key will help you better understand the changes proposed under the bill:

• Plain Text: Text that has already been adopted from the 2018 International Plumbing Code (IPC) to the 2018 Philadelphia Plumbing Code (PPC) without modification

• Bold Text (not italicized): Text being added to the PPC in this bill that is sourced from the IPC

• Italicized Text (not bold): Text already added to the PPC that is not sourced from the IPC

• Bold and Italicized Text: Text being added to the PPC in this bill that is not sourced from the IPC

• [Brackets]: Text removed that is not sourced from the IPC

•  Strikethrough: Text removed that is sourced from the IPC

Chimney regulation

The Chimney and Vent Extension regulation outlining the responsibilities of the builder and the property owner when construction impacts the chimney or vent clearance on an adjacent property has become law.

The Department will apply these specific notification requirements to all applications filed on or after January 1, 2024. All applications filed prior to this date shall be subject to extension requirements identified in Code Bulletin A-1701-R and where applicable, standard protection and notification requirements of Chapter 33 of the Philadelphia Building Code.

The Department will review new regulations during the Protection of Property and New Chimney Extension Regulations webinar and has prepared a Draft Information Sheet to provide a better understanding of how this regulation will be enforced.

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

• Code Bulletin Z-2301 – This code bulletin establishes zoning permit requirements for structures that are not specifically referenced in the Philadelphia Zoning Code.

• Standpipes During Construction information sheet – This information sheet describes the requirements for standpipes throughout construction and includes the permit and inspection criteria.

• Sports Facilities FAQ – This document provides information on how enclosures and barriers around sports facilities are reviewed under the Philadelphia Zoning Code.

• Backflow Prevention Assembly Plan Review Checklist and Inspection Checklist - These documents provide detailed information on L&I permit and inspection criteria for backflow prevention assemblies.  

• EZ Permit Standards – The EZ Deck and EZ Retaining Wall permit standards have been modified to include limitations for legalization of work performed without permits.



Licensing

Short-term rental webinar

The department conducted a webinar on October 17th about the license and permit requirements for owners and renters offering their properties as short-term rentals in Philadelphia. The webinar slides used to explain the changes in zoning and licensing requirements can be found on the L&I website. A training video about short-term rentals will soon be posted on our YouTube Channel.

Permit Inspections

Virtual inspections pilot program

The Department conducted a public webinar on October 24th, on the virtual inspections pilot program. The pilot program will start with virtual inspections for some General Minor Permits that consist of EZ Deck, EZ Roof Covering Replacement, and EZ Wall Covering Replacement, and some General Permits that consist of Solar Panels, Retaining Wall, Signs, and Tank Install/Removal. These virtual inspection types will be available by the end of 2023. The slides from the public webinar can be found on the “Resources” page of the L&I website.

Reminders

Modular (Industrialized) buildings

The new PA DCED regulations governing modular commercial construction are now in effect. Any permit application for commercial modular construction filed on or after January 1, 2024, must comply with the new program requirements established by Pa DCED. For more information, refer to the updated Modular (Industrialized) Building information sheet.