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Permits, violations & licenses

Get a Residential Property Wholesaler License

Service overview

You need a Residential Property Wholesaler License if your business is to buy residential properties solely for resale or to get owners to sell their residential properties so that you or someone else can buy and resell them. This includes multi-family and mixed-use buildings.

You do not need this license if you are a:

  • Public official or employee acting in your official duties.
  • PA-licensed attorney or real estate agent or realtor acting within the scope of your license.
  • Buyer who intends to rent the property.
  • Investor who buys property and makes improvements to increase resale value.

The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) issues this license.

Who

Individuals, business owners, and their agents can apply for this license.

Requirements

Other licenses and registrations

Responsible party

If the name on the Commercial Activity License is not an individual, you must provide the name and contact information for the responsible person.

On the application, identify all corporations that the responsible person has an equity interest in.

Insurance

You must provide a Certificate of Insurance that includes the minimum amount:

  • General Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 per occurrence

Criminal history

The responsible person must submit a PA State Police criminal history check demonstrating the following:

  • No conviction of any crime of fraud, dishonesty, breach of trust, or deceit within the prior six years.
  • No conviction for violating the Public Official and Employee Ethics Law within the prior six years.

Tax compliance

You must be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes.

Where and when

Online

You can apply online using eCLIPSE.

If you need help filing your application online, you can schedule a virtual appointment.

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

License fee
$200
Renewal fee
$200

Payment methods and details

Accepted payment methods

Where Accepted payment
Online through the eCLIPSE application

(There is a $500,000 limit for online payments.)

  • Electronic check
  • Credit card (+2.10% surcharge. The minimum fee is $1.50.)
  • Debit card (+$3.45 fee)
In person at the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building
  • Electronic check
  • Credit card (+2.10% surcharge. The minimum fee is $1.50.)
  • Debit card (+$3.45 fee)
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.)

  • Check
  • Money order
  • Credit card (+2.25% surcharge)
  • Cash

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:

  1. You will be charged a $20 fee for collection.
  2. 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.
  3. The City of Philadelphia or its agent may re-present your check electronically to your depository institution for payment.
  4. If the City is unable to obtain payment, the license, permit, or appeal application will be void.
  5. You cannot take any additional action under a permit until you have paid all fees.
  6. The permit or license will be revoked if the outstanding fees are not paid within 30 days.
  7. 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 can apply for this license online using eCLIPSE or in person at the Permit and License Center.

Online

1
Upload all required documents.
2
If the application is approved, you will receive a notice to pay the balance.

If the application isn’t approved, you will receive an email stating what is missing or required.

In person

1
Visit the Permit and License Center.

L&I can review most applications while you wait.

2
L&I will either issue your license or request more information.

Renewal requirements

This license must be renewed annually. You can renew online through eCLIPSE or in person at the Permit and License Center.

To renew your license, you must:

  • Be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes.
  • Have proof of active insurance.

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