Form 81-900 (1) - License Application Housing Inspection (Page 4 of 4) in pdf

b) If the agent’s address is a business address, a Commercial Activity License must be

registered there.

c) There is no requirement that the agent be empowered to do more than forward

notices, orders, or summonses to the owner, though further powers may be granted.

Compensation to the agent also is not an issue regardless of the limits of their

responsibilities.

d) An agent terminating their services must give notice to L & I, License and Issuance

Unit, and include in the notice the owner’s name and address, the address of the

property, and the license number. The owner is required to designate a new agent

within thirty (30) days. The owner can designate a new agent at any time by filling out

an amended application with the signature of the new agent. There is no additional

charge for a change of agent.

e) If the owner conforms to all the above standards, the owner can also act as the agent.

This includes a principal of a corporation or partnership. An owner who does not live in

Philadelphia and is not regularly available at a Philadelphia address is not permitted to

act as an agent.

f ) If the rental property was purchased within the last six months, you must provide a

settlement sheet or recorded deed.

12. License Type ‐ Place an “x” in the box in front of the name of each license applied for. The

License Number will be completed by the License Issuance Unit.

13. License Fee Calculation ‐ To determine the correct fee:

a) List the total number of rental units, regardless of current occupancy available for

rent. Multiply by thirty (30) to give the correct dollar amount. License fees are $50.00

per unit with a maximum fee of $20,000.00.

b) If applying for a Vacant Property/ Lot License the fee is $150.00.

c) Total all license fees due on this line.

Fee Exemptions are available for owner occupied duplexes. For the owner to qualify for

this exemption, the owner’s name must be the same on the title deed, the license

application, and some independent verification which indicates that this is the owner’s

legal address (driver’s license, voter registration, current utility bill, etc.).

14. Owner, Corporation, and Partnership ‐ Complete with the name, title, and home address of

the owner, principals, or partners. Corporate applicants must identify the president, secretary,

and treasurer. If one individual serves as multiple or sole officer, this must be stated.

NOTE: YOU MAY NEED ZONING APPROVAL BEFORE YOU CAN RECEIVE A LICENSE.

All buildings and other structures in the City of Philadelphia must be in compliance with current

zoning laws.

Certain alterations to an existing structure may affect its zoning. If you are converting or have

converted your building (for example‐ from a single family to a multifamily dwelling), you will be

required to obtain a new “Use Registration Permit.”

For more information on Zoning or Use Registration Permits go to

81‐900

Housing Rental License Application Instructions

(Reverse of 2) (Rev. 12/12)

City of Philadelphia ∙ Department of Licenses and Inspections

Form 81-900 (1) - License Application Housing Inspection Page 4