Construction inspections

Construction and repair projects in Philadelphia need to be inspected for safety.

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Construction inspections
Request an inspection
Required certifications
List of required certifications
Inspection services

The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I):

Inspects permitted construction for compliance with the applicable codes.
Checks that the work being done matches what is authorized by the permit.

Contractors are responsible for scheduling L&I inspections at key points during the construction project. These inspections are needed for work to continue.

L&I building inspectors also respond to public complaints about construction projects. If the construction does not meet safety standards, L&I inspectors can issue Notices of Violation tickets (Code Violation Notices) and, if necessary, Stop Work Orders to halt construction until violations are fixed.

Request an inspection

You must request inspections over the phone or through eCLIPSE. Inspectors will not put in inspection requests.

For help with requesting inspections through eCLIPSE, see L&I’s eCLIPSE FAQs.

To request an inspection over the phone, call (215) 255-4040. You will need your 2-letter, 10-digit Permit Number located at the top of your permit certificate. You can also use the line to cancel, reschedule, check inspection results, and access plan review.

Review the IVR information sheet for step-by-step instructions.

Notice: The permit holder is responsible to ensure that all required certifications have been submitted to the Department prior to requesting final inspection. This includes those certifications for associated trade and site permits. A $100 Inspection Rescheduling fee may be assessed if the Department cannot conduct a requested inspection because the project is not ready.

Virtual inspections

Some permit types and inspection categories are eligible for a virtual inspection. These are conducted without a physical site visit. For a list of eligible inspection types, review the IVR information sheet.

During a virtual inspection, the field agent or customer is required to:

Be physically present and available at the inspection site.
Have a tablet or smart phone with a working camera and microphone, and access to an internet connection using Wi-Fi or cellular data.
Communicate and follow the inspector’s instructions.

For step-by-step instructions on the virtual inspection process, review the virtual inspections information sheet.

Required certifications

Some kinds of work must be certified by qualified individuals. This includes certifying building systems or components and preparing reports in accordance with Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code.

A copy of the certification form must be submitted online using eCLIPSE and must be uploaded to the permit with the “hold permit completion” status. If you do not see a required “hold” on your permit, please submit an online help form.

The table below outlines:

What certifications are required depending on the type of work
Which permit type to upload the certifications in order to resolve a “hold permit completion”
When in the inspection process the certifications must be uploaded

Refer to the step-by-step instructions on how to submit a permit inspection certification in eCLIPSE.

List of required certifications

Commercial building

Certifications	Description	Hold types	Due
Emergency Responder Communication System	An approval letter from the Philadelphia Fire Department is required for radio coverage systems or alternative wired systems in new high-rise buildings.	Emergency Responder Communication	Before final inspection
Energy Code Final Compliance Forms	Final Compliance Forms are required when a performance method is used for new construction or additions, as determined by the specific method of compliance.	Energy Final Compliance	Before final inspection
FEMA Dry Floodproofing Certificate	A FEMA Floodproofing Certificate for non-residential structures is required for Dry Floodproofed areas of buildings located in special flood hazard areas.	Flood Certificates COMM – Final	Before final inspection
FEMA Elevation Certificate (during construction)	A FEMA Elevation Certificate reflecting “Building Under Construction” is required for newly constructed buildings or buildings undergoing substantial improvement that are located in special flood hazard areas. A separate Elevation Certificate is required upon completion of the building.	FEMA	Before inspection of first-floor framing or first-floor flood inspection
FEMA Elevation Certificate (Final)	A FEMA Elevation Certificate reflecting “Finished Construction” is required for newly constructed buildings or buildings undergoing substantial improvement that are located in special flood hazard areas.	Flood Certificates COMM – Final	Before final inspection
FEMA Letter of Map Change	A FEMA Letter of Map Change is required if proposed development sufficiently affects existing floodplain boundaries or elevations. Permits may be issued based upon Conditional Letter of Map Change. However, no Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy will be issued without a final Letter of Map Change.	Flood Certificates COMM – Final	Before final inspection
Flood Openings- Engineer’s Certificate	A Certificate Statement by a registered design professional is required for Wet Floodproofed areas with engineered openings. The statement must be signed and sealed, confirming that installed openings allow for automatic entry and exit of floodwaters and automatically equalize hydrostatic pressure.	Flood Certificates COMM – Final	Before final inspection
Fire Alarm	A Fire Alarm System Certification is required for all newly installed fire alarm systems.	Fire Alarm	Before final inspection
Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan	A Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan approved by the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD) is required prior to final inspection. Notice: Applications for new high-rise buildings submitted on or after September 1, 2024, will include this Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan hold.	Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan	Before final inspection
Fire Watch	A Fire Safety Plan is required for all new construction or additions of wood-frame buildings over 40 ft. in height or 50,000 sq. ft. in area.	Fire Watch	Before initial inspection
PA DLI Certificate of Operations	A Certificate of Operations issued by the PA Department of Labor and Industry is required for the construction, alteration, or repair of an elevator, and other lifting devices except for elevators in residential buildings that only serve one dwelling unit.	Miscellaneous	Before final inspection
Smoke Control Testing and Operations Plan	A report including instruction on the operation of the system and maintenance program is required when a smoke control system is installed or altered.	Smoke Control Plan	Before final inspection
Special Inspections Final Compliance	A Statement of Final Compliance is required when special inspections are required on a project.	Special Inspections	Before final inspection
PWD Stormwater Management	The applicant must contact the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) with the applicable documentation to resolve this hold.	PWD SWM Certification	Before final inspection

Residential building

Certifications	Description	Hold types	Due
Air Barrier Installation Checklist	An Air Barrier Installation Checklist is required for new residential construction. This is a third-party visual inspection of insulation and fenestration to confirm compliance before concealment.	Air Barrier	Before wallboard inspection
Duct and Envelope Testing Certificate (DET)	A Duct Envelope and Testing Certificate is required for new residential construction.	Duct / Envelope Test	Before final inspection
Energy Code Final Compliance Forms	Final Compliance forms are required when a performance method is utilized, as determined by the specific method of compliance. An Air Barrier Installation Checklist and DET Certificate are still required.	Energy Final Compliance	Before final inspection
FEMA Elevation Certificate (during construction)	A FEMA Elevation Certificate reflecting “Building Under Construction” is required for newly constructed buildings or buildings undergoing substantial improvement that are located in special flood hazard areas. A separate Elevation Certificate is required upon completion of the building.	FEMA – First Floor	Before requesting inspection of first-floor framing or first-floor inspection
FEMA Elevation Certificate (Final)	A FEMA Elevation Certificate reflecting “Finished Construction” is required for newly constructed buildings or buildings undergoing substantial improvement that are located in special flood hazard areas	Flood Certificate RES – Final	Before final inspection
FEMA Letter of Map Change	A FEMA Letter of Map Change is required if proposed development sufficiently affects existing floodplain boundaries or elevations. Permits may be issued based upon Conditional Letter of Map Change. However, no Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy will be issued without a final Letter of Map Change.	Flood Certificate RES – Final	Before final inspection
Flood Openings – Engineer’s Certificate	A Certificate Statement by a registered design professional is required for Wet Floodproofing areas with engineered openings. The statement must be signed and sealed, confirming that installed openings allow for automatic entry and exit of floodwaters and automatically equalize hydrostatic pressure.	Flood Certificate RES – Final	Before final inspection
Special Inspections Final Compliance	A Statement of Final Compliance must be submitted when special inspections are required on a project.	Special Inspection	Before final inspection
PWD Stormwater Management	The applicant must contact the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) with the applicable documentation to resolve this hold.	PWD SWM Certification	Before final inspection

Fire suppression

Certifications	Description	Hold types	Due
CMT-AG	An Aboveground Contractor’s Materials and Test Certificate is required for new or extended fire suppression systems designed under NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R.	Fire Suppression Certificate	Before final inspection
CMT-AG 13D	A 13D Contractor’s Materials and Test Certificate is required for new or extended fire suppression systems designed under NFPA 13D or the IRC.	Fire Suppression Certificate	Before final inspection
CMT-UG	An Underground Contractor’s Materials and Test Certificate is required for all new underground piping servicing new fire suppression systems designed under NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R.	Fire Suppression Certificate	Before final inspection
CMT- Piping Alterations and Relocation of Heads	This Contractor’s Materials and Test Certificate is required for alterations and relocation of heads to an existing fire suppression system.	Fire Suppression – Alterations	Before final inspection
Special Hazard – Alternative Extinguishing Systems	A Special Hazard Certificate is required for the installation of a special hazard fire suppression system using dry and/or gaseous agents.	Fire Suppression – Special Hazard	Before final inspection

Electrical

Certifications	Description	Hold types	Due
Electrical Inspection Certification	The Electrical Inspection Agency is required to submit a certification confirming that the system was satisfactorily in accordance with approved permit documents.	N/A	Before final inspection of associated Building Permit or closing of Electrical Permit

General permit

Certifications	Description	Hold types	Due
Re-Roofing	A Roof Replacement Certification form is required to certify the installation of new roof coverings on existing roofs.	Re-roofing Certification	Before final inspection
Tower Crane Inspection	A competent person certified by the crane manufacturer, the NCCCO, or an NCCA accredited organization must submit an inspection report demonstrating compliance with OSHA tower crane inspection criteria immediately after 1) the erection of a tower crane; 2) the climbing (jumping) or lowering of a tower crane; or 3) each 180 day period, if the crane has not been raised or lowered.	Tower Crane Inspection Results	Within 10 days of inspection

Mechanical

Certifications	Description	Hold types	Due
Residential HVAC Equipment	A Residential HVAC Equipment Certification Form is required to verify the building loads and equipment sizing for new, one-or-two family dwellings.	RES HVAC Equip. Certification	Before final inspection
Mechanical Systems Commissioning Compliance Checklist	A commissioning compliance checklist, preliminary commissioning report, and building operations and maintenance document are required where commissioning is mandated by the Energy Code.	Mechanical Sys. Commissioning	Before final inspection

Plumbing

Certifications	Description	Hold types	Due
Water Heater Replacement	A Water Heater Certification Form is required to certify the installation of new water heaters.	Water Heater Certification	Before final inspection
Plumbing Systems	A Plumbing System Certification Form is required to certify the test results performed on the plumbing system in new construction.	Plumbing System Certification	Before final inspection

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Inspection services

Report an unlicensed contractor or unpermitted work

Report unlicensed contractors and unpermitted work to 311 and the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).

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