How many building permits are filed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
As of May 25, 2026, 9,368 building permits are on file in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The most common type is plumbing (2,940 permits). Records are pulled from the Pennsylvania public feed and refreshed daily.
This page indexes 11,473 building permits issued in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, drawn from records published by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) through May 5, 2026. Activity over the last 30 days totals 3,706 permits. Records span project categories led by plumbing (3,586 permits), electrical (2,054), renovation (1,720), HVAC (1,312), miscellaneous work (1,306). Philadelphia's permit volume reflects an old, dense building stock - alterations, plumbing replacements, and façade repairs lead the filings, with new construction concentrated in Fishtown, Point Breeze, and the river wards. The 10-year tax abatement (now phased) and zoning bonuses for affordable housing have shaped where filings cluster. L&I administers both permits and inspections through a single department. Permits are filed and tracked through the eCLIPSE permit portal. The records below are recent issued permits in Philadelphia; click any row to see the full filing, project description, valuation, and contractor on record.
The eCLIPSE permit portal, operated by Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), allows public lookup by address, permit number, or contractor license. Records are updated as permits move through review and issuance.
Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) issues all building permits within city limits. The same department handles inspections, certificates of occupancy, and code enforcement.
A zoning permit confirms the proposed use complies with the zoning code. A building permit authorizes construction. Many Philadelphia projects need both, with zoning issued first; the Zoning Board of Adjustment reviews variances and special exceptions.
Yes. Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law makes building permits public. L&I publishes permit data through eCLIPSE and through Philadelphia's Open Data portal.
Simple trade permits issue within days. New construction and major alterations go through plan review and typically take weeks. Projects requiring zoning relief take longer because of the Zoning Board hearing schedule.
eCLIPSE is Philadelphia's online permitting platform launched by L&I to consolidate permit applications, plan review, and public records lookup. It replaced multiple legacy systems.
Addition and/or alteration - for interior alterations to an existing single-family structure with non-habitable basement as per approved plan. *separate permits required for electr…
Addition and/or alterations - for installation of hvac appliances, equipment, ductwork and registers/diffusers per approved plans and manufacturer's specifications.
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