Philadelphia, PA permit applications

Working in Philadelphia? Save your contractor license, insurance and bond details once, then produce a complete application for the next Philadelphia job — building, mechanical, re-roof or plumbing — in under a minute, plus the OSHA paperwork your crew needs on site.

Philadelphia permits by trade

Who pulls it, what the packet contains, and the inspection sequence — per trade.

What a Philadelphia permit costs

Estimate the fee by trade and job value before you sign the work, and see the lines crews forget to quote.

Philadelphia permit cost estimator

Philadelphia inspection sequence

The order of calls by trade, what each inspector checks, and the failure that sends crews back most often.

Philadelphia inspection guide

Documents Philadelphia contractors generate most

Where Philadelphia County permits are filed

Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections

Jurisdiction detail confirmed from the county's own website. Cities inside Philadelphia County may run their own building department.

Who reviews the permit in Philadelphia

This city runs its own building department — confirm the property sits inside city limits before filing with the county instead.

Files with

Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)

Department page

Online portal: eCLIPSE

Pennsylvania's largest UCC enforcement authority — permits, contractor licensing and inspection scheduling all run through eCLIPSE.

What a Philadelphia County packet actually contains

Built by the same engine the app uses — these are the forms and attachments the scope triggers in this jurisdiction, not a generic list.

Re-roof / roof replacement in Philadelphia County

4 documents on a $12,000 job.

  • Pennsylvania contractors doing more than $5,000 a year of home improvement must carry a PA Attorney General HIC registration number on every contract and estimate.
  • Pennsylvania enforces the UCC through the municipality or a third-party agency — confirm which agency reviews the permit before submitting.

HVAC changeout in Philadelphia County

3 documents on a $12,000 job.

  • Pennsylvania contractors doing more than $5,000 a year of home improvement must carry a PA Attorney General HIC registration number on every contract and estimate.

Window / door replacement in Philadelphia County

4 documents on a $12,000 job.

  • Replacement windows must meet the state energy code U-factor and SHGC for this climate zone, and any bedroom opening must still meet emergency egress clear-opening minimums.
  • Pennsylvania contractors doing more than $5,000 a year of home improvement must carry a PA Attorney General HIC registration number on every contract and estimate.

Get the 2026 Philadelphia permit checklist

One page covering the forms, attachments and inspection sequence Philadelphia contractors get held up on.

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Filing checklist for Philadelphia

  • Verify whether the property sits inside Philadelphia city limits or in unincorporated Pennsylvania — that determines which department accepts the application.
  • Bring current general liability and workers' compensation certificates.
  • Match declared valuation to the signed contract amount.
  • Confirm whether the scope triggers a separate electrical, mechanical or plumbing permit pulled by a licensed sub.
  • Schedule required inspections before covering any work.

Other Pennsylvania metros

General guidance for Philadelphia contractors, not legal advice. Confirm requirements and fees with the authority having jurisdiction.