ZoningIt is no longer necessary to come to the Municipal Services Building to get documentation for a property, as residents can now search and view documents and drawings related to specific properties in the city of Philadelphia from the Zoning Archive Online The Zoning Board of Adjustment is an independent panel that hears appeals of previously rejected zoning applications and has the authority to overturn a decision by the Department of Licenses and Inspections.  Call (215) 686-2429 to contact the Zoning Board of Adjustment.  Take advantage of our interactive map to check the status of an appeal on a violation address. Rentals are a zoning issue. If the rental property has the appropriate zoning, it can operate. To operate a rental property, an owner must have a housing inspection license and a Commercial Activity License.  You can check whether or not a property has a current license by searching for the address on our interactive map. The Zoning Code currently allows fences as follows: Front fences at the front of a dwelling may be up to 3 ½ feet in height.

Rear – fences at the rear or side of a dwelling may be up to 6 feet in height. Along streets – fences that run parallel to streets are permitted up to 3 ½ feet in height. Razor/barbed wire – Please note that the height of a fence includes the height of any razor and/or barbed wire that protrudes from it.  Also, it is considered hazardous and in violation of the zoning code if it is strung low enough so as to endanger passers by.  MiscellaneousL&I holds owners, tenants and landlords accountable for maintaining houses and apartments in safe and clean condition in accordance with the City of Philadelphia's Housing Code.  cost of fixing car ac compressorL&I addresses problems such as: fire safety, basic equipment and facilities in rental properties, water and sewage systems, heating, and repairs.ac unit for 2500 square feet

The Code Administration Unit works with the Chief Code Official to develop bulletins for the purpose of clarifying the application of one or more sections of an enforcement code.  Issued at the behest of the Chief Code Official, such documents state the Department’s official position and foster consistent code application by staff and code users.  Our Code Bulletins page will address questions you may have about code intent or purpose. The contact information for our district offices is available on our Contact Us page.air conditioning unit with ice on it 311 Contact Center Agent receives the call. Transfers the call to the appropriate City Department, Makes a Referral, or Generates a Service Request. The issue is processed/ reslived either: At the Department level at the time of the call, By the 311 Agent using their knowledge base or the City-Wide Directory, or

At a later date after the request is received and processed by the appropriate Department.  In the meantime, the caller can track the request by phone or Internet with a tracking number obtained during the call. Complaints can be reported to 311 and tracked online as well. The Department of Licenses & Inspections has made the following Service Level Agreements: Business Compliance- Inspect within 30 days of service request Building and Plumbing Construction- Inspect within 10 business days Fire- Inspect within 30 business days Property Maintenance- Inspect within 30 business days Vacant Lots, Properties, and Residential Licenses- Inspect within 30 business days Zoning and Electrical Permit Plans- Inspect within 20 days Building and Plumbing Permit Inspections- Inspect within 2 days of service request Emergency Services and Abatement Referrals- Inspect within 10 days of service request (emergencies should be responded to within one hour)

Demolitions- Complete within 30 days of request Dangerous Vacant or Historical Buildings- Inspect within 15 business days Dangerous Occupied Building- Inspect within 5 business days Daycare- Inspect within 30 business days Drainage Maintenance- Inspect within 30 business days Emergency Façade Repair- Inspect within 5 business days Emergency Air Conditioning- Inspect within 1 business day Infestation- Inspect within 30 business days The Department maintains a commercial handbill Non Delivery List identifying all properties whose owners request non-delivery. Property owners who do not wish to receive hand-delivered advertising circulars or handbills can fill out the "Circular Non-Delivery Decal Order" form. Owners of registered properties will receive a "Circular Free Property" decal (sticker), which should be posted at the property, visible from the sidewalk. Please review the order form for more information.Useful Facts about the Handbill Ordinance.Vacant Property StrategyReports may be made through 311.

Please report which doors and windows are missing and indicate where they are missing in the property. (For example, the rear door and windows are missing on the first level.)  It takes the Department approximately 90 days to take an owner to court for an issue because we have to legally give him/her time to come into compliance.  To check to see if an address has been cited with a violation, visit the map. LicensingYes, the City of Philadelphia requires a license if you provide day care in your primary residence for unrelated children. The cost of the license is $50 and requires an inspection of the home. New construction (deck in the backyard, adding a fence) Repairs, remodeling, alterations, demolition or additions to a structure Installation of foundations for tanks and equipment Construction or demolition of ducts, sprinkler systems or standpipe system Changes in the occupancy classification of a structureIf you are the owner of a vacant building or a vacant lot you must obtain a vacant property license from the Department of License & Inspections.  

The annual fee for such licenses is $300.00 per property. Food Establishment, Retail Non-Permanent Location (if food will be sold) Health Department Approval (if food will be sold) Annual Commercial Activity License Business Tax Account Number Federal Tax Identification Number or Social Security Number Weighing and Measuring License (if applicable) Permits and CertificatesHomeowner's Emergency Loan Program (HELP) is a plumbing repair assistance program administered by the Philadelphia Water Department that provides a zero-interest loan to eligible water customers who have been issued a Notice of Violation/Defect for a defective water or drainage system The application is completed over the telephone. For the HELP Loan Program call (215) 685-4901.Historically designated structures may require pre-authorization and approval by other City Departments to make any modifications to the edifice. L&I refers all building and demolition permit applications for properties on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places to the Historical Commission for its review.