Service overview
Any company that owns an outdoor advertising sign needs an Outdoor Advertising License.
An outdoor advertising sign is any sign that advertises a business or activity that doesn’t take place at the property where the sign is located. Exceptions include:
- Advertisements on operative motor vehicles or pedestrians.
- Advertisements on newsstands.
- Information that must be on structures by law or ordinance.
- Notices on a property that it is for sale or rent.
- Signs owned and sponsored by a community, civic, or charitable organization.
- Signs that identify a company performing on-site construction.
- On-site public art.
The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) issues these licenses.
Who
Outdoor advertising sign owners and their agents can apply for this license.
Requirements
Other licenses and registrations
- Business Income and Receipts Tax ID (BIRT)
- Commercial Activity License
- Zoning Permit for signs
- Building Permit for signs
Ownership information
Your license will be issued to the legal entity listed on the Commercial Activity License and your Philadelphia Tax Account. Any trade name or “Doing Business As” (DBA) must also be listed on your Commercial Activity License.
Tax compliance
You must be current on all City taxes.
Sign inventory
You must complete and submit an outdoor advertising sign inventory. This inventory must include the following information for each sign:
- OPA address and location description
- Latitude and longitude
- Number of support columns
- Number and size of sign faces
- Sign format
- Inventory number
- Height of sign face
- Zoning permit number
- Building permit number
- Inspection and certification information
Where and when
Online
You can apply online using eCLIPSE.
If you need help filing your application online, you can schedule a virtual appointment.
Cost
License fee
$0.63 per square foot in the inventory
A non-refundable application fee of $20 is applied toward the license fee. The balance of the license fee is due once your application is approved.
Renewal fee
$1.26 per square foot in the inventory
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.
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How
You can apply for this license online using eCLIPSE.
Applications are reviewed within five business days.
If the application isn’t approved, you will receive an email stating what is missing or required.
Renewal requirements
This license must be renewed every 5 years. You can renew online through eCLIPSE.
To renew your license, you must:
- Be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes.
- Have a valid email address.
Changes to inventory
You must submit all changes to the inventory through a license amendment at the time the change occurs. You can’t submit changes with a license renewal application.