OVERVIEW

The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections.Licensing Services plays an important role for consumers, occupational licensees, applicants and the business community in Philadelphia.

The Division is responsible for the licensure, registration and/or regulation of.many professions including but not limited to barber shops and practitioners, garage owners, food preparers and manufacturers.

L & I's main mission is to protect the health, safety and welfare of consumers, to provide efficient processing and examination services to license applicants, and to provide accurate information and qualified licensees to the business community.

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PROCESS TO OBTAIN A LICENSE

Individual licenses have varying requirements for obtaining them. Please review License Requirements for a more detailed explanation. In general, one should do the following:

1) Obtain a business tax ID # (click here to go to the City's Dept. of Revenue)

2) Obtain a business privilege license

3) Obtain an individual license application

4) Complete the application which includes obtaining all pre-requirements

5) Mail the application plus a check in the applicable amount written out to:

City of Philadelphia
Licenses Issuance Unit
Muncipal Services Concourse
1401 JFK Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102

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EXCEPTIONS

The Department of Licenses & Inspections DOES NOT handle the following items:
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Item                                                                Agency to Contact
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• Handgun Permit..................................... Police Department

• Dog License........................... .............. Health Department

• Block Party Permit................................ Streets Department

• Sidewalks, Potholes, Alleyways, etc........Streets Department

• Liquor License............................. PA Liquor Control Board

• Tenant Eviction Issues ................Fair Housing Commission

• Unsanitary Conditions in a Restaurant.......Health Department

• Marriage Licenses....................................... Orphan´s Court

• Air Pollution Permits ..................Air Management Services 
• Asbestos Control........................ Air Management Services