Service overview
The Plumbing Advisory Board (PAB) hears most appeals related to plumbing permits. If you received a permit denial 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 Plumbing Code.
- Challenge a code interpretation of a code official.
- Get approval for alternative materials and methods. (You don’t need to apply for a permit before filing this kind of appeal.)
Who
Any property owner or their authorized agent can appeal. Authorized agents may include:
- Design professionals.
- Attorneys.
- Contractors.
- Licensed expediters.
Cost
The cost of your appeal fee depends on the type of building. These fees are paid separately from any other application or permit fees.
- Existing one-or-two-family dwellings (including those with family daycare): $50
- Buildings less than five stories tall and less than 30,000 sq. ft. total floor area: $200
- Buildings five or more stories tall or more than 30,000 sq. ft. total floor area: $600
- Method or material approval: $500
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 must file an appeal with the Boards Administration Unit within 30 days of a formal permit denial or within 5 business days of a notice of violation related to unsafe or imminently dangerous designations.
The Boards Administration will schedule and notify you of the scheduled hearing date and time. The hearing is typically scheduled within four weeks. An expedited hearing option is available.
At that hearing, you will be able to testify as to why the PAB should grant the variance. The board will make a recommendation to the commissioner of the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) for a final decision. The final decision will be made available in eCLIPSE.
Required materials
A complete application package includes:
- A PAB appeal form.
- A signed copy of the Notice of Refusal or a copy of the Notice of Violation.
- You do not need to apply for a permit and request a formal denial to seek a variance for alternative materials and methods.
- An authorization statement from the property owner or property manager, unless the applicant is also the property owner.
- This authorization statement is also required if an owner – applicant will not attend the hearing and elects to send his/her representative.
- Your appeal fee. A check or money order must be made out to the City of Philadelphia.
By mail
To file a paper application, you can mail in the required materials to:
Boards Administration Unit
1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Municipal Services Building, Concourse
Philadelphia, PA 19102
In-person
Appointments are required for filing an appeal in person. You can use our online appointment system to schedule your visit. Once you’ve entered your contact information, select “File Appeal Application: BLIR, BBS, PAB (In-person: MSB)” and select “Plumbing Advisory Board (PAB)”.
Office hours: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
The office closes at noon on the last Wednesday of each month.
Online
If you received a Notice of Refusal in eCLIPSE, you may file your appeal online. You will need to upload a PDF copy of the complete application package and pay in eCLIPSE. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
For step-by-step instructions, refer to the “How to file an appeal in eCLIPSE” information sheet.
PAB hearing location
One Parkway Building
1515 Arch Street
18th Floor, Room 18-002
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hearings are held once a month on Thursday mornings. See the scheduled dates for hearings.
For questions or comments related to appeals, email the Boards Administration unit at BoardsAdmin@phila.gov.