This license must be renewed annually. There is a late fee for renewals filed more than 60 days after the Rental License has expired.

You will receive a notice before your license expires. L&I sends a notice to the business contact using the preferred contact method listed on the license application.

• Emails are sent 45 days prior to expiration.
• Mailed notifications are sent approximately 30 days prior to expiration.

To renew, you must:

• Have a valid email address.
• Be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes and fines. If you aren’t sure if your City tax account is in good standing, get a tax clearance before you renew a Rental License.
• Not having any outstanding L&I violations.
• Follow lead safety laws.

You can renew:

• Online through eCLIPSE, or
• In person at the Permit and License Center.

Learn more about how to renew a business license in eCLIPSE.

Forms, licenses, and registrations

If you’re submitting a new Rental License application, you must also submit the Rental License Supplemental Information form.

Renting out a property is a business. Therefore, you must also have the licenses and registrations necessary to operate a business. To rent out a single unit that:

• You occupy, you’ll need an Activity License Number.
• You don’t occupy, you’ll need a Commercial Activity License and to pay the ⁠Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT). For both, you’ll also need a business tax account.

Ownership information

New owners

You must prove that you own the property. Acceptable records include a:

• Recorded deed.
• Settlement sheet, signed by both the buyer and the seller.
• OPA Record, if you’ve owned the property longer than six months.

L&I will not accept an agreement of sale or a receipt of sheriff’s sale as proof of ownership.

Owners who live outside of Philadelphia

You must identify a managing agent with a Philadelphia mailing address on the application. The agent will be responsible for interfacing with L&I.

As the owner, you will be listed as the license holder and bear legal responsibility for the license. You are also responsible for the activity license associated with the Rental License.

Company-owned properties

You must provide the name and mailing address for any person with more than 49% ownership interest, or for the two people with the largest interests.

License requiring a Commercial Activity License

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.

Still have questions?

See the Rental License FAQ.

Lead safety certification

Owners must certify that they are following lead safety laws.

Any property built before March 1978 must be certified as lead-free or lead-safe. If the property was built later, you must file for an exemption.

Tax and code compliance

To receive this license, you must:

• Be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes and fines. If you aren’t sure if your City tax account is in good standing, get a tax clearance before you apply for a Rental License.
• Not have any outstanding L&I violations.

Forms, licenses, and registrations

If you’re submitting a new Rental License application, you must also submit the Rental License Supplemental Information form.

Renting out a property is a business. Therefore, you must also have the licenses and registrations necessary to operate a business. To rent out a property that:

• You occupy and has three or fewer units for rent, you’ll need an Activity License Number.
• You don’t occupy or has four or more units for rent, you’ll need a Commercial Activity License and to pay the ⁠Business Income & Receipts Tax (BIRT). For both, you’ll also need a business tax account.

Ownership information

New owners

You must prove that you own the property. Acceptable records include a:

• Recorded deed.
• Settlement sheet, signed by both the buyer and the seller.
• OPA Record, if you’ve owned the property longer than six months.

L&I will not accept an agreement of sale or a receipt of sheriff’s sale as proof of ownership.

Owners who live outside of Philadelphia

You must identify a managing agent with a Philadelphia mailing address on the application. The agent will be responsible for interfacing with L&I.

As the owner, you will be listed as the license holder and bear legal responsibility for the license. You will also be responsible for the activity license associated with the Rental License.

Company-owned properties

You must provide the name and mailing address for any person with more than 49% ownership interest, or for the two people with the largest interests.

License requiring a Commercial Activity License

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.

Still have questions?

See the Rental License FAQ.

Proof of legal occupancy

You must show that the property is legally occupied by submitting a copy of the Certificate of Occupancy (CO).

If a CO isn’t available, you may submit a prior Rental License record. This only applies if the license was issued in the last three years and there has been no change to the number of units or the occupancy.

If neither a CO nor a prior Rental License Record are available, you can submit a Zoning Permit. This only applies if the use for the property was established before 2000. You must also submit an Affidavit of Continuous Use.

For more information about these documents and how to access records, use the Rental license proof of use and occupancy information sheet.

Lead safety certification

Owners must certify that they are following lead safety laws.

Any property built before March 1978 must be certified as lead-free or lead-safe. If the property was built later, you must file for an exemption.

Tax and code compliance

To receive this license, you must:

• Be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes and fines. If you aren’t sure if your City tax account is in good standing, get a tax clearance before you apply for a Rental License.
• Not have any outstanding L&I violations.