Construction and repair projects in Philadelphia need to be inspected for safety.
Jump to:
- Construction inspections
- Request an inspection
- Required certifications
- List of required certifications
- Inspection services
Construction inspections
The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I):
- Inspects permitted construction for compliance with the applicable codes.
- Checks that the work being done matches what is authorized by the permit.
Contractors are responsible for scheduling L&I inspections at key points during the construction project. These inspections are needed for work to continue.
L&I building inspectors also respond to public complaints about construction projects. If the construction does not meet safety standards, L&I inspectors can issue Notices of Violation tickets (Code Violation Notices) and, if necessary, Stop Work Orders to halt construction until violations are fixed.
Request an inspection
You must request inspections over the phone or through eCLIPSE. Inspectors will not put in inspection requests.
For help with requesting inspections througheCLIPSE, see.
To request an inspection over the phone, call (215) 255-4040. You will need your 2-letter, 10-digit Permit Number located at the top of your permit certificate. You can also use the line to cancel, reschedule, check inspection results, and access plan review.
Review theIVR information sheetfor step-by-step instructions.
Required certifications
Some kinds of work must be certified by qualified individuals. This includes certifying building systems or components and preparing reports in accordance with Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code.
A copy of the certification formmustbe submitted online usingeCLIPSE and must be uploaded to the permit with the “hold permit completion” status. If you do not see a required “hold” on your permit, please submit an online help form.
The table below outlines:
- What certifications are required depending on the type of work
- Which permit type to upload the certifications in order to resolve a “hold permit completion”
- When in the inspection process the certifications must be uploaded
Refer to the step-by-step instructions on how to submit a permit inspection certification in eCLIPSE.
Notice:Currently, all permit holds in eCLIPSE appear in the Building Permit as “Hold Permit Completion”. All permits approved after January 1, 2022, will include applicable hold types listed below.
Starting July 1, 2022, registered master plumbers must submit the Plumbing Systems Certification Form to certify the plumbing systems in new construction.
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List of required certifications
Commercial building
| Certifications | Description | Hold types | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Responder Communication System | An approval letter from the Philadelphia Fire Department is required for radio coverage systems or alternative wired systems in new high-rise buildings. | Emergency Responder Communication | Before final inspection |
| Energy Code Final Compliance Forms | Final Compliance Forms are required when a performance method is used for new construction or additions, as determined by the specific method of compliance. | Energy Final Compliance | Before final inspection |
| FEMA Dry Floodproofing Certificate | A FEMA Floodproofing Certificate for non-residential structures is required for Dry Floodproofed areas of buildings located in special flood hazard areas. | Flood Certificates COMM – Final | Before final inspection |
| FEMA Elevation Certificate (during construction) | A FEMA Elevation Certificate reflecting “Building Under Construction” is required for newly constructed buildings or buildings undergoing substantial improvement that are located in special flood hazard areas. A separate Elevation Certificate is required upon completion of the building. | FEMA | Before inspection of first-floor framing or first-floor flood inspection |
| FEMA Elevation Certificate (Final) | A FEMA Elevation Certificate reflecting “Finished Construction” is required for newly constructed buildings or buildings undergoing substantial improvement that are located in special flood hazard areas. | Flood Certificates COMM – Final | Before final inspection |
| FEMA Letter of Map Change | A FEMA Letter of Map Change is required if proposed development sufficiently affects existing floodplain boundaries or elevations. Permits may be issued based upon Conditional Letter of Map Change. However, no Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy will be issued without a final Letter of Map Change. | Flood Certificates COMM – Final | Before final inspection |
| Flood Openings- Engineer’s Certificate | A Certificate Statement by a registered design professional is required for Wet Floodproofed areas with engineered openings. The statement must be signed and sealed, confirming that installed openings allow for automatic entry and exit of floodwaters and automatically equalize hydrostatic pressure. | Flood Certificates COMM – Final | Before final inspection |
| Fire Alarm | A Fire Alarm System Certification is required for all newly installed fire alarm systems. | Fire Alarm | Before final inspection |
| Fire Watch | A Fire Safety Plan is required for all new construction or additions of wood-frame buildings over 40 ft. in height or 50,000 sq. ft. in area. | Fire Watch | Before initial inspection |
| PA DLI Certificate of Operations | A Certificate of Operations issued by the PA Department of Labor and Industry is required for the construction, alteration, or repair of an elevator, and other lifting devices except for elevators in residential buildings that only serve one dwelling unit. | Miscellaneous | Before final inspection |
| Smoke Control Testing and Operations Plan | A report including instruction on the operation of the system and maintenance program is required when a smoke control system is installed or altered. | Smoke Control Plan | Before final inspection |
| Special Inspections | A Statement of Final Compliance is required when special inspections are required on a project. | Special Inspections | Before final inspection |
| PWD Stormwater Management | The applicant must contact the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) with the applicable documentation to resolve this hold. | PWD SWM Certification | Before final inspection |
Residential building
| Certifications | Description | Hold types | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Barrier Installation Checklist | An Air Barrier Installation Checklist is required for new residential construction. This is a third-party visual inspection of insulation and fenestration to confirm compliance before concealment. | Air Barrier | Before wallboard inspection |
| Duct and Envelope Testing Certificate (DET) | A Duct Envelope and Testing Certificate is required for new residential construction. | Duct / Envelope Test | Before final inspection |
| Energy Code Final Compliance Forms | Final Compliance forms are required when a performance method is utilized, as determined by the specific method of compliance. An Air Barrier Installation Checklist and DET Certificate are still required. | Energy Final Compliance | Before final inspection |
| FEMA Elevation Certificate (during construction) | A FEMA Elevation Certificate reflecting “Building Under Construction” is required for newly constructed buildings or buildings undergoing substantial improvement that are located in special flood hazard areas. A separate Elevation Certificate is required upon completion of the building. | FEMA – First Floor | Before requesting inspection of first-floor framing or first-floor inspection |
| FEMA Elevation Certificate (Final) | A FEMA Elevation Certificate reflecting “Finished Construction” is required for newly constructed buildings or buildings undergoing substantial improvement that are located in special flood hazard areas | Flood Certificate RES – Final | Before final inspection |
| FEMA Letter of Map Change | A FEMA Letter of Map Change is required if proposed development sufficiently affects existing floodplain boundaries or elevations. Permits may be issued based upon Conditional Letter of Map Change. However, no Certificate of Occupancy or Temporary Certificate of Occupancy will be issued without a final Letter of Map Change. | Flood Certificate RES – Final | Before final inspection |
| Flood Openings – Engineer’s Certificate | A Certificate Statement by a registered design professional is required for Wet Floodproofing areas with engineered openings. The statement must be signed and sealed, confirming that installed openings allow for automatic entry and exit of floodwaters and automatically equalize hydrostatic pressure. | Flood Certificate RES – Final | Before final inspection |
| Special Inspections | A Statement of Final Compliance must be submitted when special inspections are required on a project. | Special Inspection | Before final inspection |
| PWD Stormwater Management | The applicant must contact the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) with the applicable documentation to resolve this hold. | PWD SWM Certification | Before final inspection |
Fire suppression
| Certifications | Description | Hold types | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMT-AG | An Aboveground Contractor’s Materials and Test Certificate is required for new or extended fire suppression systems designed under NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R. | Fire Suppression Certificate | Before final inspection |
| CMT-AG 13D | A 13D Contractor’s Materials and Test Certificate is required for new or extended fire suppression systems designed under NFPA 13D or the IRC. | Fire Suppression Certificate | Before final inspection |
| CMT-UG | An Underground Contractor’s Materials and Test Certificate is required for all new underground piping servicing new fire suppression systems designed under NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R. | Fire Suppression Certificate | Before final inspection |
| CMT- Piping Alterations and Relocation of Heads | This Contractor’s Materials and Test Certificate is required for alterations and relocation of heads to an existing fire suppression system. | Fire Suppression – Alterations | Before final inspection |
| Special Hazard – Alternative Extinguishing Systems | A Special Hazard Certificate is required for the installation of a special hazard fire suppression system using dry and/or gaseous agents. | Fire Suppression – Special Hazard | Before final inspection |
Electrical
| Certifications | Description | Hold types | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Inspection Certification | The Electrical Inspection Agency is required to submit a certification confirming that the system was satisfactorily in accordance with approved permit documents. | N/A | Before final inspection of associated Building Permit or closing of Electrical Permit |
General permit
| Certifications | Description | Hold types | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Re-Roofing | A Roof Replacement Certification form is required to certify the installation of new roof coverings on existing roofs. | Re-roofing Certification | Before final inspection |
| Tower Crane Inspection | A competent person certified by the crane manufacturer, the NCCCO, or an NCCA accredited organization must submit an inspection report demonstrating compliance with OSHA tower crane inspection criteria immediately after 1) the erection of a tower crane; 2) the climbing (jumping) or lowering of a tower crane; or 3) each 180 day period, if the crane has not been raised or lowered. | Tower Crane Inspection Results | Within 10 days of inspection |
Mechanical
| Certifications | Description | Hold types | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential HVAC Equipment | A Residential HVAC Equipment Certification Form is required to verify the building loads and equipment sizing for new, one-or-two family dwellings. | RES HVAC Equip. Certification | Before final inspection |
| Mechanical Systems Commissioning Compliance Checklist | A commissioning compliance checklist, preliminary commissioning report, and building operations and maintenance document are required where commissioning is mandated by the Energy Code. | Mechanical Sys. Commissioning | Before final inspection |
Plumbing
| Certifications | Description | Hold types | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Heater Replacement | A Water Heater Certification Form is required to certify the installation of new water heaters. | Water Heater Certification | Before final inspection |
| Plumbing Systems | A Plumbing System Certification Form is required to certify the test results performed on the plumbing system in new construction. | Plumbing System Certification | Before final inspection |
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