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Understand Types of Financing

So you've tapped the bank – including your piggy bank – and you still need funds for your startup? Don't worry. There are many avenues yet to explore. Consider, with great care and caution, the following sources of financing possibilities.

Use & Occupancy Tax

The Business Use and Occupancy Tax is a levy on the business, trade or other commercial use and occupancy of real estate located in Philadelphia.

Preliminary Plan Review Process

A preliminary plan review may be requested to identify potential code issues, attain code interpretations or seek a variance during the initial design phase of a project. The preliminary plan review and any associated variances are only applicable to the code edition under which the review was conducted. To obtain...
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Permit Appeals

Filing an Appeal Before you can file an appeal, you will need a formal code decision from the Department of Licenses and Inspections. This decision comes in the form of a Notice of Refusal document. This document is obtained from the plan examiner reviewing your permit application or request for...
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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.

Lawful Occupancy Sign

Lawful Occupancy Signs (LO) show how many people are allowed in a space at a given time. The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) issues Lawful Occupancy Signs. You need a Lawful Occupancy Sign if: You own or operate an assembly space where 50 or more people gather. L&I decides...
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Alterations Permit

To obtain a Building Permit for alterations, gather the materials listed below and submit a completed permit application in-person at the Municipal Services Building (MSB) Concourse.

EZ Permits

EZ Permits are permits that Do Not Require the Submission of Plans

New Construction and Additions Permit

To obtain a Building Permit for new construction or an addition, gather the materials listed below and submit a completed permit application in-person at the Municipal Services Building (MSB) Concourse.

Building Permits

Building permits are required before beginning projects to enlarge, repair, change, add to or demolish a structure, and to install equipment or systems in a structure.

Does the Historical Commission Affect You?

The Philadelphia Historical Commission (PHC) is the regulatory agency responsible for ensuring the preservation of historically significant buildings, structures, sites, objects, interiors and districts in the City of Philadelphia.