Service overview
You can access information from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) online at no cost, including:
- Business license information.
- Certificate of Occupancy information.
- Construction permit details.
- Lawful Occupancy Sign information.
- Violation information.
- Zoning records.
You can also request copies of permits, licenses, certificates, and some plans.
Any requests for information exceeding these services must be filed through a Right to Know request.
Where and when
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
You must be the owner or authorized agent or have written permission to get building plans.
Payments for license, permit, plan, and certificate copies can only be made via check or money order. Learn more about how to pay:
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
Certificates of Occupancy
The availability of a Certificate of Occupancy is based on the construction date.
- Before 1969: Most buildings constructed before 1969 or used as a single-family dwelling do not have a certificate of occupancy. For more information, see the Code Bulletin regarding Certificates of Occupancy for uncertified buildings.
- 1969 to 2006: You can find all certificates retained by L&I in the zoning file on Atlas.
- 2006 to present: You can get a duplicate certificate at the Permit and License Center by following these steps:
- Check Atlas and confirm the building permit number.
- Submit the online record-check form.
- If the records are available, L&I will notify you to make an appointment to visit the Permit and License Center.
- Submit the Permits, licenses, and certificate of occupancy request form with the associated fee.
Construction permits and plans
- Permit information from 2006 to present: Using Atlas.
- Copies of permits from 2006 to present: Submitting the Permits, licenses, and certificate of occupancy request form with the associated fee.
- Building plans: The property owner or the owner’s agent can request copies of building plans at the Permit and License Center by following these steps:
- Check Atlas and confirm the building permit number.
- Submit the online record-check form.
- If the records are available, L&I will notify you to make an appointment to visit the Permit and License Center.
- Submit the Building files request form with the associated fee. You will need a flash drive for copies of the building plans.
If you are not the property owner or the permit applicant, you must include a letter of authorization from the owner with the form.
Plans processed before 2004 were not kept by L&I unless they were associated with a building variance or major project.
Lawful Occupancy Sign
You can find signs retained by L&I in the zoning file on Atlas.
Review the instructions to file for a new or replacement Lawful Occupancy Sign.
Licenses
You can search for current business license information using Atlas or eCLIPSE.
You can get copies of a current license by submitting the Permits, licenses, and certificate of occupancy request form with the associated fee.
Violations
You can search for violation information including the Case File number on Atlas. A copy of the full initial Notice of Violation Report is now available to download from Atlas.
Zoning
You can access complete zoning records using Atlas.