Service overview
You need an Electrical Permit for work on electrical and communication systems and components. This includes:
- Installation.
- Alteration.
- Renewal.
- Replacement.
- Repair.
You may need additional permits for solar photovoltaic installations.
A separate PECO service and meter application (PDF) may be required.
The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) issues Electrical Permits.
EZ permits
Some kinds of work are eligible for EZ permits, which do not require you to submit plans.
Plans are not required for the following work:
- New construction, additions, or alterations on one-or-two-family dwellings. The connected load must be less than 200 amps and all equipment rated 600 V or less.
- This excludes wiring and equipment related to fire alarm systems, fire pump systems, and solar panel systems.
- Service conductor installation with a connected load of 200 amps or less
- Alterations to interior wiring of commercial buildings or individual tenant spaces of less than 2,000 sq. ft. in total floor area.
- Alterations to commercial buildings limited to:
- Replacing general electrical equipment rated 600 volts or less. (No new wiring.)
- Replacing fire alarm notification and initiating devices. (No new wiring or panels.)
- Telecommunications cable.
- Temporary wiring with an on-site power source for an approved use.
- Electrical vehicle charger stations meeting the EVC permit standard.
Projects that may not need permits
In accordance with Title 4-A-301.2.3, you may not even need an Electrical Permit for the following work:
- Repairs related to regular maintenance.
- Connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
- Installation, alteration or repair of electrical equipment of a regulated public utility used in the generation, transmission, distribution or metering of electricity.
- Removal of electrical wiring in demolition of a structure.
- Some installation work
- Temporary system required for testing/servicing of electrical equipment.
- Electrical componentry used in partition systems.
- Low voltage wiring in one-and-two family and Group U.
- Railway cars or automotive equipment.
- Conductors or equipment for public utilities, common carriers or commercial radio/television stations under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of PA or federal regulatory agency.
Rough-in Permits
You can get a Rough-in Permit to install cables before the full permit is issued.
This includes:
- Electrical cables, conduits, device boxes, recessed panels (without breakers), and service equipment.
- Power supply and signal cables for fire and smoke alarm systems.
You must first submit an application for an Electrical Permit including plans and the associated fees. You must request and describe rough-in work on the permit application. Once the Electrical Permit application and associated plans are accepted for review, you must submit a separate application for the rough-in approval.
You cannot get rough-in approval once the full permit has been approved. Rough-in approval lasts for 60 days and the work must not be concealed.
Who
Any property owner or their authorized agent can apply for this license. Authorized agents may include:
- Licensed electrical contractor.
- PA design professional.
- Attorney.
- Licensed expediter.
Requirements
Permit application
The permit application must include the complete scope of work and current owner information.
- If the property was recently sold, submit a copy of the settlement sheet or deed with the application.
- You must apply for all permits under the legal address established by the Office of Property Assessment (OPA).
Contractor
- A licensed electrical contractor must perform all electrical work. The contractor must:
- Have an active license.
- Be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes.
- Have current insurance on file with L&I.
- If anyone other than the Electrical Contractor serves as the applicant, the application must be accompanied by a signed statement on the Electrical Contractor’s letterhead affirming association with the project.
Third-party inspection
The owner or the owner’s agent must hire a licensed electrical inspection agency to perform all inspections.
Plans
If your application requires plans, they must follow plan requirements.
Plans are always required for:
- Healthcare facilities, as defined in 2017 NFPA 70.
- Hazardous locations (such as areas with flammable gas or materials) as defined by the National Electrical Code.
- Any building other than a one-or-two-family dwelling that is undergoing a change in occupancy classification.
- Fire pumps.
- Solar panels not eligible for EZ permit.
Forms and documents
- Completed Building Permit application.
- A copy of the executed contract between the owner (or the owner’s agent) and the licensed electrical contractor must be submitted before the billing statement is generated.
- If the application is filed under the EVC permit standard, a copy of the signed standard must be submitted.
- Accelerated Plan Review Request form (optional).
Related permits
- A separate building permit is required for all interior and exterior renovations.
- Emergency generators and fire pumps may require a permit from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (installation of new equipment or operation of equipment).
- An Annual Permit may be obtained for routine maintenance and replacement of lamps, broken switches, receptacles, and fixtures in kind (with no additional wiring or installations of any kind).
Where and when
Online
You can apply online using eCLIPSE.
If you need help filing your application online, you can schedule a virtual appointment.
In person
You need an appointment to visit the Permit and License Center in person.
Permit and License Center
1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
MSB, Public Service Concourse
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Offices close at noon on the last Wednesday of each month.
Cost
Fee types that may apply
- Filing fee
- Permit fee
- Surcharge fees
- Record retention fee
- Rough-in Permit fee (optional)
- Accelerated Plan Review fee (optional)
Filing fee
- $100
This fee is nonrefundable. It will be counted toward the final permit fee.
Permit fee
The permit fee is $25 for each $1000 or fraction thereof of estimated electrical construction cost.
- Minimum fee: $58
- Maximum fee: $17,415
Surcharge fees
- City surcharge: $3 per permit
- State surcharge $4.50 per permit
Record retention fee
- $4 per plan
Rough-in Permit fee
- $150
Accelerated Plan Review fee (optional)
Applications for new construction that include plans are eligible for expedited review. Accelerated applications are reviewed within 5 business days.
- Fee: $1050
- $350 is due when you apply. You must pay the remainder once approved.
To apply, fill out an Accelerated Plan Review Request form and submit with your permit application. Accelerated review fees will not be credited toward your final permit fee.
Payment methods and details
Accepted payment methods
| Where | Accepted payment |
|---|---|
| Online through the eCLIPSE application
(There is a $500,000 limit for online payments.) |
|
| In person at the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building |
|
| In person at the Cashier’s Station in the Municipal Services Building
(Items paid at the Cashier’s Station will be mailed within five business days.) |
|
Credit and debit card payments
Surcharges and fees are applied automatically to all credit and debit card transactions.
Checks and money orders
Check requirements
- Make all checks and money orders payable to the “City of Philadelphia.”
- The individual or company listed on the check must be listed on the application.
- Personal checks are accepted.
- Checks and money orders must have issue dates within 12 months of the transaction.
Reasons your check may be rejected
L&I will not accept checks that are missing depository information or are:
- Unsigned.
- Expired.
- Post-dated.
- Starter checks without account info.
Returned payment policy
If your check is returned unpaid for insufficient or uncollected funds:
- You will be charged a $20 fee for collection.
- You authorize the City of Philadelphia or its agent to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account to collect this fee directly.
- The City of Philadelphia or its agent may re-present your check electronically to your depository institution for payment.
- If the City is unable to obtain payment, the license, permit, or appeal application will be void.
- You cannot take any additional action under a permit until you have paid all fees.
- The permit or license will be revoked if the outstanding fees are not paid within 30 days.
- You cannot file or obtain additional permits until you resolve the outstanding debt.
Late license payment
If you renew your license more than 60 days after the due date, you will be charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since the license expired.
How
You can apply for this permit in person at the Permit and License Center or online using eCLIPSE.
In person
Applications with plans will be reviewed within 20 business days.
- The applicant can accelerate the application for an additional fee. Accelerated applications are reviewed within 5 business days.
- Applications without plans will be reviewed while you wait.
- You are limited to three applications per ticket.
- Applications without plans must be made by a licensed contractor or include a signed statement on the contractor’s letterhead confirming their involvement with the project.
- If you are applying for a Rough-in Permit, it may be issued immediately.
Before a permit may be issued, the contractor must be identified and confirm association with the project.
If not approved, the applicant will receive an email stating what is missing or required.
Contact your licensed electrical inspection agency when the contractor is ready to start work. The agency must complete an electrical permit inspection certification.
A Certificate of Approval will be issued upon successful completion of all required inspections.
Online
If applying as a licensed professional or contractor, you must first associate your license or registration with your online account.
- Before a permit can be issued, the contractor must be identified and confirm association with the project.
- Applications with plans are processed within 20 days business days. Allow an additional business day for pre-processing.
- The applicant can accelerate the application for an additional fee. Accelerated applications are reviewed within 5 business days.
- Most applications without plans are processed within 5 business days.
- Some permits may be issued immediately if the application is made by the contractor.
- If you are applying for a Rough-in Permit, it may be issued immediately.
If not approved, the applicant will receive an email stating what is missing or required.
Contact your licensed electrical inspection agency when the contractor is ready to start work. The agency must complete an electrical permit inspection certification.
A Certificate of Approval will be issued upon successful completion of all required inspections.