Two years ago, the City of Philadelphia launched a coordinated effort through PHL Open for Business to improve how businesses interact with City government. Today, that work is delivering measurable results.

Through a collaborative partnership between the Office of Policy Planning and Delivery, the Department of Commerce, and departments across City government, the City has worked to modernize permitting and licensing, streamline processes, and strengthen support for businesses of all sizes. These efforts have improved service delivery, expended access to resources, and helped create a more efficient and business-friendly experience for entrepreneurs across Philadelphia.

Our two-year impact

Snapshot

  • 35 projects launched across 12 departments
  • 13 projects completed
  • 63 businesses engaged through project work
  • 10 business associations and chambers engaged through project work

City staff training & workshops

  • 80 Licenses & Inspections staff trained in customer services and de-escalation
  • 105 Health Department staff trained in communication and cultural competency
  • 16 City departments engaged through workshops to identify improvement areas

Streamlining permitting & process improvement

  • 2 outdated licenses removed
  • 3 new City technology products launched to streamline approvals and enhance the business applicant and reporting experience
  • 6 applications consolidated into 2 portals

Investment & jobs

Access & business support

  • 88 small businesses opened in previously vacant Center City vending locations
  • 38 single-owner businesses certified through culturally responsive food safety training
  • 46 vendors received technical support to build business capacity and compliance

What’s ahead

Our upcoming projects include:

  • A new special events permitting software that will accelerate permitting, improve transparency, and streamline application filing.
  • New guides designed to support business readiness and help navigate permitting, licensing, and inspection requirements.

Delivered through partnership

This work is made possible through strong cross-agency collaboration across City government. The progress of PHL Open for Business reflects the commitment of partner departments working together to strengthen coordination across agencies and improve the experience of doing business in Philadelphia

We are grateful to the Managing Director’s Office, Department of Public Health, Department of Licenses & Inspections, Department of Revenue, Department of Sanitation, Department of Streets, Office of Innovation & Technology, Office of Special Events, Department of Parks & Recreation, Department of Labor, and the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, among others, for their continued partnership and leadership in advancing this work.

Business resources

The Mayor's Business Action Team
The Mayor’s Business Action Team (MBAT) in the Department of Commerce provides personalized assistance in multiple languages to entrepreneurs for all aspects of doing business in Philadelphia. MBAT Business Navigators help businesses resolve complex challenges in navigating City regulations.
Philadelphia's Permit Navigator tool
The City is expanding the online Permit Navigator tool to help users determine what permits and approvals are necessary for their residential and commercial projects. This interactive tool makes information about the permit process clearer and more accessible.