Permit records
Philadelphia permit search
Philadelphia permit records are public. The jurisdiction publishes them through an online record search.
By Mario Bailey Last checked · 13 official sources
- Project types verified
- 13
- in Philadelphia
- Search verified
- 12 Jul 2026
- we opened it ourselves
Search Philadelphia permit records
L and I property history search for permits, violations, and licenses by address.
Open the Philadelphia record searchApplying rather than searching? Use the Philadelphia permit portal
We opened this address ourselves on . Official government links only, and we check them on a schedule.
If the permit does not turn up
Older permits are often missing from online records, and a permit filed under a contractor's name will not surface in an address search that expects the owner. Department of Licenses and Inspections can check the paper file.
- 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., MSB, Philadelphia, PA 19102
- Phone: (215) 255-4040
- Official permit page
- Official fee schedule
What needs a permit in Philadelphia
Every project type we have verified in Philadelphia, with the rule, the threshold, and the fee that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | It depends | Not specified | Billed as a plumbing alteration permit at $50 for the first 7 fixtures plus $22.50 per... |
| Deck Permit | It depends | residential decks up to 216 sq ft (excluding roof decks) qualify for EZ permit without plans; larger decks require full building permit with plans | New decks fall under the accessory structure and addition bucket at $75 for the first... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $100 filing fee (nonrefundable) |
| EV Charger Permit | It depends | Not specified | Charged as a standard electrical permit at $25 per $1,000 of estimated cost with a $63... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | permit required if fence exceeds 6 feet tall, is masonry over 2 ft, is on Historic Registry, or is in the 100-year floodplain | Zoning permit $50-$632 by lot size |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $100 filing fee (nonrefundable) |
| Patio Permit | It depends | concrete or other hard-surface paving on grade (driveways, walkways, patios not used for parking) is exempt; covered or elevated patio structures require a permit, and paving in flood protection areas requires one | No fee |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $100 filing fee (nonrefundable) |
| Pool Permit | It depends | prefabricated swimming pools or spas less than 24 inches deep AND less than 5000 gallons do not require a permit; all larger pools require a permit | Flat $69 building permit fee for a pool or spa accessory to a one or two family... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat $69 building permit fee to replace the roof covering on a one or two family... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | detached structures under 200 sq ft for one-or-two-family dwellings do not require a permit | Sheds 120 sq ft or less in the rear yard need no permit |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat $200 building permit fee for the solar panel structure plus a separate electrical... |
| Water Heater Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat $31 plumbing permit fee to replace a water heater in a one or two family dwelling... |