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READYDOCSCOMPLIANCESTATESPENNSYLVANIAPHILADELPHIA COUNTY
FILE 42101 · COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIASEAT · PHILADELPHIAPOPULATION · 1.5MVERIFIED · 05 / 2026
Public Compliance Directory · County Hub

Philadelphia.

Philadelphia County in Pennsylvania. This is where the state file translates into the local offices that actually issue the permit, schedule the inspection, and sign the filing. Start with the state baseline, then drill into the right city.

Cities on file
1
Trades indexed
12
County seat
Philadelphia
Last verified
05 / 2026
FAST FACTS

Philadelphia County at a glance

Quick-reference card
County seatPhiladelphia
Population (est.)1.5M
FIPS42101
Building departmentDepartment of Licenses and Inspections
Permit portaleCLIPSE
Fire marshalPhiladelphia Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office
Browse cities→Back to state←
County of
Philadelphia
· ACTIVE FILE ·
ARTICLE I · COUNTY BASELINE
CODES & LOCAL AUTHORITY
FIPS 42101
Article I · County Baseline

The county inherits from the state. And adds local rules.

The City of Philadelphia enforces the Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code, which is based on the 2018 International Codes with local amendments.

Philadelphia is a consolidated city-county, meaning the municipal government handles all building permits, zoning, and inspections for the entire jurisdiction. There are no independent municipal permit authorities within the county borders. All development must comply with the Philadelphia Zoning Code and the city's specific building construction standards.

Philadelphia enforces a specific 'Green Roof' requirement for certain new construction projects and major additions under the city's zoning code.

How this fits with the state

The state authority here is Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; local building departments. The county file does not replace that — it adds the permit office, local overlays, and the actual filing path.

Source · Department of Licenses and InspectionsLast verified · 05 / 2026
ARTICLE II · PERMIT OFFICES
WHERE THE PERMIT IS FILED
OPERATING PATH
Article II · Local Offices

Who issues, who inspects, who signs off.

All contractors performing work in Philadelphia must obtain a Philadelphia Commercial Activity License and a specific Contractor License issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Building

Department of Licenses and Inspections

Permits, plans, inspections

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
Permit portal

eCLIPSE

Apply, track, pay

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
Planning / zoning

Philadelphia City Planning Commission

Land use, plan review

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
Fire marshal

Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office

Prevention, alarms, sprinklers

Verify hours, requirements, and fees on the local portal before filing.

Office · local
See sources →
ARTICLE III · INSURANCE & BONDS
COUNTY OVERLAY ON STATE BASELINE
VERIFY BEFORE BIDDING
Article III · County Overlay

What Philadelphia County usually adds.

The state sets the floor. The county and city can require additional certificates, local bonds, or pre-permit registration.

CoverageRequired?MinimumIssued by
Workers' CompensationState rule with county add-ons
Verify
Verify employer status and local filing requirements
State authority
General LiabilityOften required by permit type
Conditional
Permit-based
Department of Licenses and Inspections
Surety BondTied to state license or county permit
Conditional
No broad state GC bond; local bonds vary
State or county
County overlayContractors must provide proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act to obtain a city contractor license.
Verify
Varies
Department of Licenses and Inspections
Source · Department of Licenses and InspectionsVerify before filing
ARTICLE IV · INDEXED CITIES
CITIES IN PHILADELPHIA COUNTY
1 CITY
Article IV · Browse by City

Indexed cities in Philadelphia County.

Pick a city to open its trade list. The trade page covers licensing, permits, insurance, and typical costs for that work in that city.

PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia County
01
ARTICLE V · TRADES
TRADES IN PHILADELPHIA COUNTY
12 TRADES
Article V · Trades

Trades branching in Philadelphia County.

Each trade opens against the first indexed city in the county. Use the city browser above to open the same trade in another city.

Concrete
CODE · CN
GL
Open file →
Electrical
CODE · EL
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
Flooring
CODE · FL
GL
Open file →
Framing
CODE · FR
GL
Open file →
General Contracting
CODE · GC
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
HVAC
CODE · HV
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
Landscaping
CODE · LS
GL
Open file →
Painting
CODE · PT
GL
Open file →
Pest Control
CODE · PC
State Lic.GL
Open file →
Plumbing
CODE · PL
State Lic.GLBond
Open file →
Pool Service
CODE · PS
GLBond
Open file →
Roofing
CODE · RF
LicenseBondGL
Open file →
ARTICLE VI · SOURCES
LOCAL SOURCE REGISTER
VERIFY LOCALLY
Article VI · Sources & Citations

Every filing needs a source trail.

This template keeps the county page honest: local context here, filing decisions made with the issuing office.

State

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; local building departments

Statewide licensing, reciprocity, and renewal rules.

/contractors/pennsylvania
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
County

Department of Licenses and Inspections

Department that issues permits and schedules inspections for unincorporated areas.

eCLIPSE
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
Planning

Philadelphia City Planning Commission

Land use, zoning review, and plan approvals.

Local planning office
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
Fire

Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office

Prevention, protection systems, and code approvals.

Fire marshal's office
VERIFIED
05 / 2026
Frequently Asked

Questions contractors ask before filing.

Q01Do I need a state license to work in Philadelphia County?+
Usually yes — the baseline is the state license through Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; local building departments. Philadelphia County and its cities may add local registration before you pull a permit.Source · Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; local building departments
Q02Does the county or the city issue the permit?+
It depends on where the work is. Unincorporated areas usually route through the county (Department of Licenses and Inspections). Work inside an incorporated city normally files with that city's department.Source · Department of Licenses and Inspections
Q03What changes between county and state?+
The county adds the actual permit office, local zoning overlays, plan-review timelines, inspections, and local fees. The state license defines who can contract; the county defines how the job gets filed.Source · County and municipal departments

Open the county file. Then pick the city.

Philadelphia County now inherits from the state template and adds its own local detail. The next layer is the city and trade pages.

Browse cities→Back to state←