Service overview
The Board of Safety and Fire Prevention (BOSFP) hears appeals of fire code violations issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). If you receive a notice of violation from L&I and it says your appeal should go to this board, you can make an appeal.
You can submit an appeal to:
- Request a variance from the Philadelphia Fire Code.
- Request more time to comply with the code.
- Challenge the code interpretation of a code official.
The board will consider an appeal if:
- It proposes alternatives that will meet or exceed the intent of the code.
- The variance request will not be an unreasonable deviation from the code requirements.
- Enforcement would result in unique or extraordinary conditions that make compliance impractical.
- Strict compliance with the code would interfere with the historic character of the property and the request does not constitute a safety hazard.
- You are requesting more time to correct violations and you are working to comply as quickly as possible.
The board will make a recommendation to the commissioner of the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD) for a final decision.
Who
Any property owner or their authorized agent can appeal. Authorized agents may include:
- Attorneys
- Consultant (with expertise on the merits of the case)
- Contractors
- Design professionals
Requirements
You must submit your appeal application within 30 days of the date on the violation notice.
To request a variance without first getting a violation notice, select “Permission Request” on the form or online.
If the violations have been referred to enforcement court, you must submit a letter of remand from the court.
Where and when
Online appeal submission
You can submit an appeal online using eCLIPSE.
Mail appeal submission
Philadelphia Fire Department
Board of Safety and Fire Prevention
240 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123-2991
Cost
Per building
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 file an appeal online using eCLIPSE or by mailing an appeal form.
If you are applying by mail, submit the following:
- Check or money order for $150 payable to the City of Philadelphia.
- Two copies of the appeal form.
- One copy of each violation notice issued to the property.
Appeal forms must be signed by the applicant or owner.
The property must be inspected for the appeal request to be considered.
The inspector will complete an inspection report.
Follow-up inspections may be necessary.
You will be notified 7 to 14 before the scheduled hearing.