Department of Licenses and Inspections

Effective July 1, 2026, all new permit applications must comply with the updated codes. To learn more, view the forms and documents.

Services

Get a business or trade license

Search for property history and business license information

Get a building or repair permit

Find a licensed contractor and contractor information

Get a Zoning Permit

Rent your property (long-term)

See all Services

What we do

The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) helps people comply with building safety standards and other code requirements. Contractors, business and property owners, landlords, tenants, and other members of the public are all served by L&I.

As part of our mission, we:

Inspect construction projects so they meet construction and fire codes.
Inspect higher-risk properties for compliance with fire codes.
Respond to complaints regarding many code violations.
Inspect, monitor, seal, and demolish vacant and/or dangerous buildings.
Review plans and issue permits according to building, zoning, plumbing, and electrical codes.
Issue trade and business licenses.
Help landlords and tenants understand their responsibilities.

Connect

Address	1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd. 11th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone	Phone: 311 (215) 686-8686

See all contact information

eCLIPSE

Avoid delays. Apply online.

Use our online system to apply for licenses and permits and look up business and trade license information.

Go to eCLIPSE

Posts

Post

Big Changes Are Coming to eCLIPSE Licensing on July 13, 2026

July 7, 2026

Post

Building Safety Month 2026: Built to Last in Philadelphia

May 15, 2026

Gras Ferry parking garage surrounded by cranes and utility vehicles

Post

What you need to know about the parking garage collapse in Grays Ferry

April 10, 2026

See all posts

Our newsletter keeps you up-to-date on permits, licenses, and more. Sign up to get new issues every month, or read archived issues online.

Learn more

Events

Oct

6

Event

Navigating the New eCLIPSE Interface Webinar

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Event

Navigating the New eCLIPSE Interface Webinar

October 6, 2026
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, 1 hour

The Department of Licenses and Inspections - Inspections, Safety and Compliance Division, will be conducting a webinar to provide an overview of the new eCLIPSE interface.

The session will cover dashboard navigation and record organization, significant changes to applications and processes, major improvements, and how to access help content.

This session will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom.

Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

Oct

13

Event

Updated GFCI Circuit Breakers and Air-Sealed Electrical Boxes Webinar

8:30 am to 10:00 am

Event

Updated GFCI Circuit Breakers and Air-Sealed Electrical Boxes Webinar

October 13, 2026
8:30 am to 10:00 am, 2 hours

As of September 1st, 2026, outdoor HVAC equipment is nolonger exempt from the National Electric Code's GFCI requirements in article210.8(F). The exemption was originally introduced due to widespreadnuisance tripping caused by incompatibility between standard GFCI devices andmodern HVAC equipment using inverter-driven compressors and other powerelectronics.
Now that this longstanding exemption has ended, pleasejoin NEMA's Northeast Field Representative Jack Lyons for an informative webinaron how the industry has been preparing the new Class A GFCI Type HF circuitbreakers and the latest Special Purpose GFCIs. These devices responddifferently to high-frequency currents, thereby addressing unwanted trippingconcerns, while also providing suitable protection to satisfy any coderequirements.
In addition to the new GFCIs, this presentation will alsoinclude an update on air-sealed electrical boxes and how they relate to theever-changing energy code requirements.
This session will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

**Attendees can received 1.5 hours of continuing education credits for this course. Attendees must sign on individually to be eligible for CEUs.**

Oct

20

Event

Navigating the New eCLIPSE Interface Webinar

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Event

Navigating the New eCLIPSE Interface Webinar

October 20, 2026
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, 1 hour

The Department of Licenses and Inspections - Inspections, Safety and Compliance Division, will be conducting a webinar to provide an overview of the new eCLIPSE interface.

The session will cover dashboard navigation and record organization, significant changes to applications and processes, major improvements, and how to access help content.

This session will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. via Zoom.

Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

Nov

19

Event

Preconstruction Meeting Pilot Program Webinar

8:30 am to 9:30 am

Event

Preconstruction Meeting Pilot Program Webinar

November 19, 2026
8:30 am to 9:30 am, 1 hour

The Department of Licenses and Inspections -Inspections Safety and Compliance Division, will conduct a webinar on the residential new construction pilot program. This session will include an overview of the program's scope and intent, applicable projects and participants, roles and responsibilities, and program workflow.

This session will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. Please register if you are interested in attending this information session.

**Attendees can received 1.0 hour of continuing education credits for this course. Attendees must sign on individually to be eligible for CEUs.**