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EZ Permits

EZ Permits are permits that Do Not Require the Submission of Plans.

Some permits may be obtained without the submission of plans.

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Building Permit Application

The following information must be submitted with all permit applications. Permit applications will not be accepted without these documents.

  • Tax Clearance Form from the Revenue Department for the Contractor. The form is valid for thirty (30) days.

  • A current, valid Certificate of Insurance for the Contractor – The Certificate of Insurance must indicate current coverage for comprehensive general liability, workers compensation and automobile liability. The comprehensive general liability (including products and completed operations) must evidence a minimum limit of liability of $500,000 per occurrence. The Certificate of Insurance must describe the type of operations/work the contractor has coverage for, which must be consistent with the Contractor’s permit application. The certificate must also include a contact name and phone number of the contractor’s insurance broker or agent. The City of Philadelphia must be named Certificate Holder and Additional Insured under the contractor’s comprehensive general liability insurance policy.

Note: It is not acceptable for the additional insured requirement to be conditional upon there being a written contract.

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One Family Dwelling Only

The structure must be the primary occupancy of the owner of record.  Proof of residency must be demonstrated through a PA or Municipal identification card. In lieu of plans, an applicant may submit an engineer’s report that meets all of the criteria:

  1. Fully describes the scope of work to be performed

  2. The report confirms that a site inspection was performed by the engineer and no structural work shall be performed

An EZ permit will not be granted for a basement renovation unless the existing conditions comply with the Philadelphia Building and Occupancy Code:

  • The existing basement ceiling height must be a minimum of 7’.

  • There must be an existing door or egress well in the basement that opens directly to the exterior.

Photographs and a signed statement from the owner affirming compliance must be submitted with the permit application.

All EZ permit applications submitted in a district office will be processed in 5 business days. EZ permit applications submitted at the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building will be processed while you wait.

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