You need permits for certain kinds of fencing. You probably need a permit if your fence will be:
Check your zoning classification on Atlas and use the tables to check your permit requirements. A Building Permit is always required if the property is on the Philadelphia Historic Registry or in the 100-year floodplain.
*Exception: Fences that are 50% opaque or more require a Zoning Permit.
This permit is issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
Any property owner, business owner, or their authorized agent can apply for this permit. Authorized agents may include:
You need to complete one or both of the following:
Permit applications must include the complete scope of work and current owner information.
If your project requires plans, they must follow plan requirements.
A licensed Philadelphia contractor must perform the work, except when the project involves an existing one-or-two-family home. Then work may also be performed by:
The contractor must be named before final payment for the permit can be accepted. The contractor must:
For Zoning and Building Permit applications:
For Building Permit applications only, you may need:
For fencing and fence walls on historic properties
You must have this approval in order to apply. L&I will refuse your permit application without Historical Commission approval. See how to get approval for work to a historic property.
You’ll need your plans with stamped approval from the Historical Commission before you make your application at the Permit and License Center in the MSB.
Submit your stamped plan as proof of approval when making your application.
Upload all plans and materials required by the Philadelphia Historical Commission when you apply for your permit in eCLIPSE.
The Historical Commission will perform its review electronically and provide approval directly to L&I.
For fences that will partially encroach on the right-of-way
You’ll need to complete a Streets plan review. See Streets’ plan review requirements and applicable forms for more information.
You must submit your Streets-approved plans with your other application materials when you apply in person at the Permit and License Center in MSB.
Upload all plans and materials required by the Department of Streets when you apply for your L&I permit through eCLIPSE. The Department of Streets will perform its review electronically and provide approval directly to L&I.
You can apply online using eCLIPSE.
If you need help filing your application online, you can schedule a virtual appointment.
You need an appointment to visit the Permit and License Center in person.
Permit and License Center 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd. MSB, Public Service Concourse Philadelphia, PA 19102
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Offices close at noon on the last Wednesday of each month.
This fee is nonrefundable and must be turned in with each application.
These apply to the building permits only. There is no surcharge for zoning approval of fencing.
Applications for building permits for fencing that include plans are eligible for expedited review. Accelerated applications are reviewed within 5 business days.
To apply, fill out an Accelerated Plan Review Request form and submit with your permit application. Accelerated review fees will not be credited toward your final permit fee.
(There is a $200,000 limit for online payments.)
(Items paid at the Cashier’s Station will be mailed within five business days.)
L&I will not accept checks that are missing depository information or are:
If your check is returned unpaid for insufficient or uncollected funds:
If you renew your license more than 60 days after the due date, you will be charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since the license expired.
You can apply for this permit in person at the Permit and License Center or online using eCLIPSE .
Applications for one-or-two-family uses are reviewed within 15 business days. Applications for all other uses are reviewed within 20 business days.
The applicant can accelerate the application for an additional fee. Accelerated applications are reviewed within 5 business days.
If not approved, the applicant will receive an email stating what is missing or required.
Before a permit may be issued, the contractor must be identified and confirm association with the project.
Contact your local inspection office when the contractor is ready to start work. The contact information and required inspections will be noted on your permit.
A Certificate of Approval will be issued upon successful completion of all required inspections.
If applying as a licensed professional or contractor, you must first associate your license or registration with your online account.
If not approved, the applicant will receive an email stating what is missing or required.
When the contractor is ready to start work, request an inspection through eCLIPSE or by calling (215) 255-4040.
Approval documents will be issued upon successful completion of all required inspections.
If you have any questions, submit an online request to 311 or call 311. Call (215) 686-8686 if you are outside Philadelphia.