Permits, violations & licenses

Make an appointment with the Permit and License Center

Some applications need preapprovals from other departments. To avoid delays, apply online using eCLIPSE.

You must make an appointment to get services from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) Permit and License Center. At your appointment, you can get help with:

• Permit applications, including:
  • New applications with or without plans
  • Make-safe permit applications
  • Plan pickup
  • Copy request
  • Request a permit fee waiver
  • The Permit and License Center doesn’t handle appeals to the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA).

  Both virtual and in-person appointments may be available, depending on the service type. You’re limited to three filings per appointment.

  Making an appointment

  You can schedule appointments within the next 14 days.

  To schedule an appointment, you must provide:

  • Your first and last name.
  • A valid email address.
  • The number and type of applications you are submitting or picking up.

  If you schedule the incorrect type of appointment, you will have to cancel your appointment and reschedule.

  For permit and license applications

  In-person appointments are available for:

  • Permit and license applications and renewals
  • Make-safe permit applications
  • Plan pickup
  • Copy requests

  Virtual appointments are available for:

  • Assistance in filing a new permit or license application
  • Make-safe permit applications
  • Requesting a permit fee waiver

  To make an appointment, use the Qless platform or call 311. If you’re outside of Philadelphia, call (215) 686-8686

  To file both permits and licenses, you must make separate appointments. You can schedule one permit appointment and one license appointment per day.

  During one appointment, you can either:

  • File three permits and pick up any permits filed on paper.
  • File three licenses.

  For filing appeals

  In-person appointments are available for filing an appeal with the BLIR, BBS, and PAB.

  To make an appointment, use the Qless platform or call 311. If you’re outside of Philadelphia, call (215) 686-8686.

  Attending your appointment

  Virtual appointments

  Virtual appointments are conducted over Zoom.

  You’ll receive an email with a Zoom link and instructions the night before or the morning of your appointment. You’ll be prompted to provide appointment information to access the meeting.

  In-person appointments

  In-person appointments take place at the Municipal Services Building (MSB), from Monday through Friday.

  Municipal Services Building
  1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
  MSB, Public Service Concourse
  Philadelphia, PA 19102

  Do not arrive more than fifteen minutes before your scheduled time.

  Bring photo identification, confirmation of appointment, and a copy of the permit invoice if you are picking up a permit and have not yet paid for it. The contractor’s license, insurance, and tax account must all be up to date.