Getting an EZ Building Permit in Philadelphia
If you are a homeowner or business owner in Philadelphia looking to begin a new construction project, you may be wondering how to get a permit in PA. The PA permit application process can be long and difficult to navigate if you do not know how to pull permits. If you are getting a small project done, an EZ permit (ezpermit) may be just what you need. An EZ Building Permit is a type of permit issued by the City of Philadelphia which allows a particular construction project to be completed without submitting plans or obtaining a full renovation permit. In theory it should be an "easy permit" to obtain to address "ez properties". EZ permits make building in Philadelphia a snap, while still maintaining PA building permits rules and guidelines.
Eligibility Requirements for an EZ Permit:
Single family home
No structural work needed or planned
Cost of work not to exceed $25k
Work to be completed by the home owner living on site OR
Work to be completed by a licensed contractor
No open violations listed on Atlas
In order to obtain an EZ Building Permit in Philadelphia, you must first submit a permit application to the city of Philadelphia License and Inspection. Your application must include detailed information about the proposed construction project, including the type of project, its location, and the estimated cost. Once you have submitted your permit application, L&I will review it to determine whether or not it meets all of the requirements for an EZ Building Permit. Philly standards allow either homeowners of a one to two story single home (home ownership must be denoted by both owning and living in the property full time according to license records), or a Philadelphia licensed contractor to complete the work.
How to Obtain An EZ Permit:
Along with your application you will be required to submit a sealed engineer letter stating that the property is in good condition and that no structural work is needed or planned. This stamped letter is your golden ticket and we provide them here at Jane Draws Plans. The process to obtain this letter from us is simple: book an appointment, we visit the site to inspect and take photos, we send an invoice, once the invoice is paid you will have the letter within 48 hours.
Follow Up Steps:
Once your application is approved, you will be required to pay a permit fee. The amount of the fee will depend on the type of construction project you are undertaking. After you have paid the fee, the City of Philadelphia will issue your EZ Building Permit. As with all Phila building permits, once you have been issued an EZ Building Permit, you must schedule an inspection using the contact information on your permit.
Once inspection is complete, you can begin work on your construction project. However, you must still adhere to all of the rules and regulations set forth in your EZ Building Permit, or your permit will be revoked. Finally, once your project is complete, you will be issued a Certificate of Approval from the city of Philadelphia which grants a certificate of occupancy.
Building Without Permits:
If your EZ Permit gets denied, that means that you need a phila building permit. You do not want to get hit with a building without a permit penalty. They are very costly, will not be covered under your homeowner's insurance, and you will most likely have to tear down all the work that you have done. If you do not know how to obtain a building permit, visit the city of Philadelphia building permits and they can provide you with a Philadelphia building permit checklist to get you started. Residential building permits will cost less than business building permits.
In Summary:
Obtaining an EZ Building Permit in Philadelphia is a relatively simple process if you are familiar with the requirements and regulations set forth by the City. By following the necessary steps, you can ensure that your construction project is completed in a timely and safe manner, and that you are in compliance with all applicable laws.
Jane Draws Plans is here to make this process simple from the start. Book with us today or head to our FAQ page to learn more.