Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Demolition Class B
Contractor Practice Exam — 200 Questions with
Answers & Detailed Explanations (2026 Edition)
pdf
Section 1: Definitions & Scope of Work
Question 1
What defines a "Major Building" under the Philadelphia Administrative Code (A-
1001.1)?
A) Any building used for commercial purposes
B) Buildings taller than 5 stories
C) Buildings more than 3 stories high, more than 40 feet tall, or covering 10,000
square feet or more
D) Any structure attached to another building
Answer: C
Rationale: A Major Building is defined as exceeding 3 stories, 40 feet in height, OR
10,000 square feet. Meeting any one threshold classifies the structure as Major—
generally requiring a Class A license. Class B contractors are limited to structures
that do NOT meet this definition .
Question 2
A client requests a bid to demolish a single-story warehouse that is 35 feet tall and
covers 9,500 square feet. Is this within the scope of a Class B Demolition
Contractor license?
A) No, because it is a commercial building
B) Yes, because it is under 40 feet tall and under 10,000 square feet
,C) No, because it exceeds 5,000 square feet
D) Yes, because it is only one story
Answer: B
Rationale: Class B demolition covers buildings that are NOT "Major Buildings."
Since this warehouse is under the 40-foot height limit (35 ft) and under the 10,000
sq ft threshold (9,500 sq ft), it qualifies for Class B scope .
Question 3
Which Philadelphia agency issues the Demolition Class B contractor license?
A) Philadelphia Department of Public Health
B) Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)
C) Philadelphia City Council
D) Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Answer: B
Rationale: The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) is responsible for
issuing demolition contractor licenses and enforcing the Philadelphia Code .
Question 4
According to the Philadelphia Code, which scenario constitutes a "complete
demolition" requiring a full demolition permit rather than a Make Safe Permit?
A) Removal of a rear cantilevered bay
B) Removal of 10% of roof rafters
C) Removal of two-thirds or more of structural framing elements combined with
alteration of the exterior envelope
D) Removal of a one-story shed addition
Answer: C
,Rationale: Removal of two-thirds or more of structural framing elements
combined with modification of the exterior envelope is legally defined as complete
demolition and exceeds the scope of a Make Safe permit .
Question 5
What is the specific depth of excavation relative to adjacent property that triggers
the requirement for an excavation contractor license in Philadelphia?
A) 2 feet
B) 4 feet
C) 5 feet
D) 10 feet
Answer: C
Rationale: Excavation of 5 feet or more in depth, measured from the adjacent
property's grade, triggers the requirement for an excavation contractor license .
Question 6
What is the maximum height for a building to be considered for Class B demolition
if it is not designated as a Major Building?
A) 30 feet
B) 40 feet
C) 50 feet
D) 60 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Buildings not designated as Major Buildings and intended for Class B
demolition must be no more than 40 feet in height. The 40-foot demarcation is a
key threshold between Class B and Class A licensing .
Section 2: Licensing Requirements
, Question 7
What is the required license bond amount for a Class B demolition contractor in
Philadelphia?
A) $5,000**
**B) $10,000
C) $25,000**
**D) $50,000
Answer: B
Rationale: Class B demolition contractors must provide a license bond for $10,000
with an original seal. Class A requires a $50,000 bond. The bond ensures financial
restitution to the city or property owners if the contractor violates regulations .
Question 8
What is the required general liability insurance amount for a Class B demolition
contractor license in Philadelphia?
A) $500,000 per occurrence**
**B) $1,000,000 per occurrence
C) $2,000,000 per occurrence**
**D) $5,000,000 per occurrence
Answer: C
Rationale: Philadelphia's demolition regulations mandate at least $2 million
general liability coverage per occurrence to protect against property damage and
bodily injury claims .
Question 9
What are the automobile liability insurance requirements for a Class B demolition
contractor?
Contractor Practice Exam — 200 Questions with
Answers & Detailed Explanations (2026 Edition)
Section 1: Definitions & Scope of Work
Question 1
What defines a "Major Building" under the Philadelphia Administrative Code (A-
1001.1)?
A) Any building used for commercial purposes
B) Buildings taller than 5 stories
C) Buildings more than 3 stories high, more than 40 feet tall, or covering 10,000
square feet or more
D) Any structure attached to another building
Answer: C
Rationale: A Major Building is defined as exceeding 3 stories, 40 feet in height, OR
10,000 square feet. Meeting any one threshold classifies the structure as Major—
generally requiring a Class A license. Class B contractors are limited to structures
that do NOT meet this definition .
Question 2
A client requests a bid to demolish a single-story warehouse that is 35 feet tall and
covers 9,500 square feet. Is this within the scope of a Class B Demolition
Contractor license?
A) No, because it is a commercial building
B) Yes, because it is under 40 feet tall and under 10,000 square feet
,C) No, because it exceeds 5,000 square feet
D) Yes, because it is only one story
Answer: B
Rationale: Class B demolition covers buildings that are NOT "Major Buildings."
Since this warehouse is under the 40-foot height limit (35 ft) and under the 10,000
sq ft threshold (9,500 sq ft), it qualifies for Class B scope .
Question 3
Which Philadelphia agency issues the Demolition Class B contractor license?
A) Philadelphia Department of Public Health
B) Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)
C) Philadelphia City Council
D) Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Answer: B
Rationale: The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) is responsible for
issuing demolition contractor licenses and enforcing the Philadelphia Code .
Question 4
According to the Philadelphia Code, which scenario constitutes a "complete
demolition" requiring a full demolition permit rather than a Make Safe Permit?
A) Removal of a rear cantilevered bay
B) Removal of 10% of roof rafters
C) Removal of two-thirds or more of structural framing elements combined with
alteration of the exterior envelope
D) Removal of a one-story shed addition
Answer: C
,Rationale: Removal of two-thirds or more of structural framing elements
combined with modification of the exterior envelope is legally defined as complete
demolition and exceeds the scope of a Make Safe permit .
Question 5
What is the specific depth of excavation relative to adjacent property that triggers
the requirement for an excavation contractor license in Philadelphia?
A) 2 feet
B) 4 feet
C) 5 feet
D) 10 feet
Answer: C
Rationale: Excavation of 5 feet or more in depth, measured from the adjacent
property's grade, triggers the requirement for an excavation contractor license .
Question 6
What is the maximum height for a building to be considered for Class B demolition
if it is not designated as a Major Building?
A) 30 feet
B) 40 feet
C) 50 feet
D) 60 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Buildings not designated as Major Buildings and intended for Class B
demolition must be no more than 40 feet in height. The 40-foot demarcation is a
key threshold between Class B and Class A licensing .
Section 2: Licensing Requirements
, Question 7
What is the required license bond amount for a Class B demolition contractor in
Philadelphia?
A) $5,000**
**B) $10,000
C) $25,000**
**D) $50,000
Answer: B
Rationale: Class B demolition contractors must provide a license bond for $10,000
with an original seal. Class A requires a $50,000 bond. The bond ensures financial
restitution to the city or property owners if the contractor violates regulations .
Question 8
What is the required general liability insurance amount for a Class B demolition
contractor license in Philadelphia?
A) $500,000 per occurrence**
**B) $1,000,000 per occurrence
C) $2,000,000 per occurrence**
**D) $5,000,000 per occurrence
Answer: C
Rationale: Philadelphia's demolition regulations mandate at least $2 million
general liability coverage per occurrence to protect against property damage and
bodily injury claims .
Question 9
What are the automobile liability insurance requirements for a Class B demolition
contractor?
