1. Q: What is required before beginning any demolition work in
Philadelphia? ANSWER A demolition permit must be obtained from the
Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
2. Q: How far in advance must a demolition permit application be
submitted? ANSWER At least 30 days before the proposed demolition work
begins.
3. Q: What is the minimum insurance requirement for demolition
contractors in Philadelphia? ANSWER General liability insurance of at least
$1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate.
4. Q: What type of contractor license is required for demolition work in
Philadelphia? ANSWER A Class B Demolition Contractor License
(468_PA_PH).
5. Q: Who must sign the demolition permit application? ANSWER The
licensed demolition contractor and the property owner.
6. Q: What is the validity period of a demolition permit? ANSWER
Typically 180 days from the date of issuance.
7. Q: Can a demolition permit be renewed? ANSWER Yes, if work is not
completed within the validity period, a renewal application must be submitted.
8. Q: What happens if demolition work begins without a permit?
ANSWER Stop-work orders, fines, penalties, and potential license suspension
or revocation.
9. Q: What documentation must accompany a demolition permit
application? ANSWER Site plans, asbestos survey, utility disconnection
certificates, and contractor's license.
10. Q: Is a separate permit required for asbestos abatement? ANSWER
Yes, asbestos abatement requires a separate permit from the Air Management
Services.
,11. Q: What is the fee structure for demolition permits based on?
ANSWER The size and type of structure being demolished.
12. Q: Must the demolition permit be posted at the job site? ANSWER
Yes, the permit must be conspicuously posted and readily accessible for
inspection.
13. Q: Who can inspect the demolition work? ANSWER Philadelphia
Department of Licenses and Inspections inspectors.
14. Q: How many days' notice is required before starting demolition?
ANSWER At least 10 business days' notice to L&I and adjacent property
owners.
15. Q: What is required if the demolition affects a historic structure?
ANSWER Review and approval from the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
16. Q: Can homeowners perform their own demolition work? ANSWER
No, all demolition work must be performed by a licensed contractor.
17. Q: What is the consequence of working without proper licensing?
ANSWER Criminal penalties, fines up to $300 per day, and inability to obtain
future permits.
18. Q: Must utility companies be notified before demolition? ANSWER
Yes, all utility companies must be notified and services must be disconnected.
19. Q: What is required for demolition of structures over 3 stories?
ANSWER Additional engineering review and more stringent safety plans.
20. Q: Are there restrictions on demolition work hours in Philadelphia?
ANSWER Yes, typically restricted to 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays.
21. Q: What is required for weekend or after-hours demolition work?
ANSWER Special approval from L&I with valid justification.
22. Q: Must adjacent property owners be notified of demolition? ANSWER
Yes, written notice must be provided at least 10 days in advance.
23. Q: What documentation proves utility disconnection? ANSWER Utility
disconnection certificates from each service provider.
24. Q: Is a bond required for demolition work? ANSWER Yes, a
performance bond may be required based on project scope.
, 25. Q: What is the minimum experience requirement for a Class B
demolition contractor? ANSWER Typically 2-4 years of documented
demolition experience.
26. Q: Must demolition contractors maintain workers' compensation
insurance? ANSWER Yes, current workers' compensation insurance is
mandatory.
27. Q: What happens if a demolition creates an unsafe condition?
ANSWER Immediate stop-work order until the hazard is corrected.
28. Q: Are there different requirements for emergency demolitions?
ANSWER Yes, expedited permits may be issued for emergency safety
demolitions.
29. Q: What records must be maintained during demolition? ANSWER
Daily logs, waste disposal records, and inspection reports.
30. Q: How long must demolition records be retained? ANSWER At least 3
years after project completion.
31. Q: Is soil testing required before demolition? ANSWER It may be
required if contamination is suspected.
32. Q: What is required for demolition of buildings with basements?
ANSWER Basement filling plans and compaction specifications.
33. Q: Must the contractor have an office in Philadelphia? ANSWER A
registered business address is required, which may be within Pennsylvania.
34. Q: What is the renewal period for a Class B demolition license?
ANSWER Licenses must be renewed biennially (every 2 years).
35. Q: Are continuing education credits required for license renewal?
ANSWER Yes, typically 8-16 hours of approved continuing education.
36. Q: What is required if the contractor's information changes? ANSWER
L&I must be notified within 30 days of any changes.
37. Q: Can a demolition license be transferred to another person?
ANSWER No, licenses are non-transferable and specific to the licensee.
38. Q: What happens if a contractor receives multiple violations?
ANSWER License suspension, increased scrutiny, or permanent revocation.
39. Q: Is a traffic control plan required for demolition projects? ANSWER
Yes, if the work affects public streets or sidewalks.
Philadelphia? ANSWER A demolition permit must be obtained from the
Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
2. Q: How far in advance must a demolition permit application be
submitted? ANSWER At least 30 days before the proposed demolition work
begins.
3. Q: What is the minimum insurance requirement for demolition
contractors in Philadelphia? ANSWER General liability insurance of at least
$1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate.
4. Q: What type of contractor license is required for demolition work in
Philadelphia? ANSWER A Class B Demolition Contractor License
(468_PA_PH).
5. Q: Who must sign the demolition permit application? ANSWER The
licensed demolition contractor and the property owner.
6. Q: What is the validity period of a demolition permit? ANSWER
Typically 180 days from the date of issuance.
7. Q: Can a demolition permit be renewed? ANSWER Yes, if work is not
completed within the validity period, a renewal application must be submitted.
8. Q: What happens if demolition work begins without a permit?
ANSWER Stop-work orders, fines, penalties, and potential license suspension
or revocation.
9. Q: What documentation must accompany a demolition permit
application? ANSWER Site plans, asbestos survey, utility disconnection
certificates, and contractor's license.
10. Q: Is a separate permit required for asbestos abatement? ANSWER
Yes, asbestos abatement requires a separate permit from the Air Management
Services.
,11. Q: What is the fee structure for demolition permits based on?
ANSWER The size and type of structure being demolished.
12. Q: Must the demolition permit be posted at the job site? ANSWER
Yes, the permit must be conspicuously posted and readily accessible for
inspection.
13. Q: Who can inspect the demolition work? ANSWER Philadelphia
Department of Licenses and Inspections inspectors.
14. Q: How many days' notice is required before starting demolition?
ANSWER At least 10 business days' notice to L&I and adjacent property
owners.
15. Q: What is required if the demolition affects a historic structure?
ANSWER Review and approval from the Philadelphia Historical Commission.
16. Q: Can homeowners perform their own demolition work? ANSWER
No, all demolition work must be performed by a licensed contractor.
17. Q: What is the consequence of working without proper licensing?
ANSWER Criminal penalties, fines up to $300 per day, and inability to obtain
future permits.
18. Q: Must utility companies be notified before demolition? ANSWER
Yes, all utility companies must be notified and services must be disconnected.
19. Q: What is required for demolition of structures over 3 stories?
ANSWER Additional engineering review and more stringent safety plans.
20. Q: Are there restrictions on demolition work hours in Philadelphia?
ANSWER Yes, typically restricted to 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays.
21. Q: What is required for weekend or after-hours demolition work?
ANSWER Special approval from L&I with valid justification.
22. Q: Must adjacent property owners be notified of demolition? ANSWER
Yes, written notice must be provided at least 10 days in advance.
23. Q: What documentation proves utility disconnection? ANSWER Utility
disconnection certificates from each service provider.
24. Q: Is a bond required for demolition work? ANSWER Yes, a
performance bond may be required based on project scope.
, 25. Q: What is the minimum experience requirement for a Class B
demolition contractor? ANSWER Typically 2-4 years of documented
demolition experience.
26. Q: Must demolition contractors maintain workers' compensation
insurance? ANSWER Yes, current workers' compensation insurance is
mandatory.
27. Q: What happens if a demolition creates an unsafe condition?
ANSWER Immediate stop-work order until the hazard is corrected.
28. Q: Are there different requirements for emergency demolitions?
ANSWER Yes, expedited permits may be issued for emergency safety
demolitions.
29. Q: What records must be maintained during demolition? ANSWER
Daily logs, waste disposal records, and inspection reports.
30. Q: How long must demolition records be retained? ANSWER At least 3
years after project completion.
31. Q: Is soil testing required before demolition? ANSWER It may be
required if contamination is suspected.
32. Q: What is required for demolition of buildings with basements?
ANSWER Basement filling plans and compaction specifications.
33. Q: Must the contractor have an office in Philadelphia? ANSWER A
registered business address is required, which may be within Pennsylvania.
34. Q: What is the renewal period for a Class B demolition license?
ANSWER Licenses must be renewed biennially (every 2 years).
35. Q: Are continuing education credits required for license renewal?
ANSWER Yes, typically 8-16 hours of approved continuing education.
36. Q: What is required if the contractor's information changes? ANSWER
L&I must be notified within 30 days of any changes.
37. Q: Can a demolition license be transferred to another person?
ANSWER No, licenses are non-transferable and specific to the licensee.
38. Q: What happens if a contractor receives multiple violations?
ANSWER License suspension, increased scrutiny, or permanent revocation.
39. Q: Is a traffic control plan required for demolition projects? ANSWER
Yes, if the work affects public streets or sidewalks.
