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Entertainment

Temporary Events, Carnivals, and Restaurants, Bars, Catering Halls, Night Clubs and other gathering places with dancing and a lawful occupancy of over 50 people. Theaters with fixed seating are not in this category.

Night Club or Dance Hall

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Obtain a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID

Every individual, partnership, association and corporation doing business in Philadelphia must file a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return in whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year. Rental activities are usually considered business activities.

Obtain a Commercial Activity License

An Activity License is required for all businesses and non-profits operating in Philadelphia. This includes businesses that are located outside the city limits but do some or all of their business activity in the City.

Special Assembly Occupancy License

This license is required for restaurants, bars, catering halls, night clubs and other gathering places with dancing and a lawful occupancy of 50 people or more. Theaters with fixed seating do not need this license.

Certificate of Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy is required as a condition of a change in the use and occupancy of a space in accordance with the International Building Code. Certificates of Occupancy are also required for all new construction and building additions.

Signage

To obtain permission to install a sign on your business, gather the materials listed below and submit a completed permit application in-person at the Municipal Services Building (MSB) Concourse.

Zoning and Use

The Philadelphia Zoning Code regulates development within the city. Zoning regulations govern land use, the height and size of buildings, population density, parking requirements, signage placement and the character of development on private property, and property uses.

Have a Recycling Plan

All commercial properties receiving private or city waste collection must complete the Commercial Solid Waste and Recycling Plan.

Pool and Billiard Rooms

Download PDF
Obtain a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID

Every individual, partnership, association and corporation doing business in Philadelphia must file a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return in whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year. Rental activities are usually considered business activities.

Obtain a Commercial Activity License

An Activity License is required for all businesses and non-profits operating in Philadelphia. This includes businesses that are located outside the city limits but do some or all of their business activity in the City.

Special Assembly Occupancy License

This license is required for restaurants, bars, catering halls, night clubs and other gathering places with dancing and a lawful occupancy of 50 people or more. Theaters with fixed seating do not need this license.

Certificate of Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy is required as a condition of a change in the use and occupancy of a space in accordance with the International Building Code. Certificates of Occupancy are also required for all new construction and building additions.

Zoning and Use

The Philadelphia Zoning Code regulates development within the city. Zoning regulations govern land use, the height and size of buildings, population density, parking requirements, signage placement and the character of development on private property, and property uses.

Have a Recycling Plan

All commercial properties receiving private or city waste collection must complete the Commercial Solid Waste and Recycling Plan.

Radio, Television and Recording Studio Services

Download PDF
Obtain a Business Income and Receipts Tax ID

Every individual, partnership, association and corporation doing business in Philadelphia must file a Business Income and Receipts Tax Return in whether or not they earned a profit during the preceding year. Rental activities are usually considered business activities.

Obtain a Commercial Activity License

An Activity License is required for all businesses and non-profits operating in Philadelphia. This includes businesses that are located outside the city limits but do some or all of their business activity in the City.

Zoning and Use

The Philadelphia Zoning Code regulates development within the city. Zoning regulations govern land use, the height and size of buildings, population density, parking requirements, signage placement and the character of development on private property, and property uses.