Short Answer
An EZ permit is Philadelphia's permit for common work that needs no plans: interior non-structural alterations in single-family homes, decks up to 216 sq ft, roof and wall coverings, pools, retaining walls, and electrical, mechanical, plumbing and fire suppression work. Filed in person, most are reviewed while you wait; online, most are issued within 5 business days.
Key Takeaways
- Philadelphia EZ permits cover roof covering replacement, decks up to 216 sq ft and mechanical work without plans.
- L&I says no-plans applications are processed the same day in person or within 5 business days online.
- Homeowners on one- or two-family houses pay a $25 filing fee with the application (other occupancies pay $100); permits must be picked up within 60 days.
- Window and door replacement in existing openings on 1–2 family homes needs no building permit.
- Resident homeowners can do much of their own work, except electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, some structural and flue-connected warm-air appliances.
Quick Facts
| roofing: permit needed? | Yes (2,588 permits in 12 months) |
|---|---|
| HVAC: permit needed? | Yes (2,439 permits in 12 months) |
| fence: permit needed? | Sometimes (331 permits in 12 months) |
| deck: permit needed? | Usually yes (397 permits in 12 months) |
| Filing fee (one- or two-family home) | $25, with the balance due on approval |
| Surcharges on each permit | $3 city plus $4.50 state |
| Review time | Same day in person; within 5 business days online |
From our city pages and each city's open permit data (refreshed October 30, 2026).
What an EZ Permit Covers
- Roof covering replacement (no zoning permit needed if limited to the covering).
- Decks up to 216 sq ft.
- Mechanical work such as ductwork and warm-air appliances.
Recent permit records in the city's data often start with labels like "EZ PERMIT DECKS" or "EZ PERMIT DUCTWORK & WARM-AIR APPLIANCES", which is how you can spot them.
Every Project Type in Philadelphia
These summaries come from the same official sources as our city pages and were last checked October 30, 2026. Permit counts are the city's own open-data records for the last 12 months.
Roofing: Yes
Roof covering replacement needs a building permit in Philadelphia, but it is an EZ permit with no plans required. No zoning permit is needed if the work is limited to the covering.
- Roof covering replacement: building permit via the EZ (no plans) route.
- No zoning permit if the work is limited to the covering.
- Historic-registry properties have extra requirements.
- Philadelphia issued 2,588 matching permits in the last 12 months.
Source: Philadelphia L&I: Get permits without plans (EZ permits) · Full details: Philadelphia Roofing Permits
HVAC: Yes
HVAC work needs a building (mechanical) permit in Philadelphia but no zoning permit, and it can usually be issued as an EZ permit without plans.
- HVAC work: building permit yes, zoning permit no.
- Mechanical work is on the EZ permit list.
- Sheet metal work requires a contractor with the specific license.
- Philadelphia issued 2,439 matching permits in the last 12 months.
Source: Philadelphia L&I: Start Right guide (June 2026)
Fence: Sometimes
Wood, metal or vinyl fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards need no permit. In front yards, fences over 4 feet (or more than 50% opaque) need a zoning permit, and any fence over 6 feet needs zoning and building permits.
- Non-masonry, side/rear yard, up to 6 ft: no permit.
- Front yard over 4 ft or more than 50% opaque: zoning permit.
- Over 6 ft: zoning and building permits; historic or floodplain properties always need a building permit.
- Philadelphia issued 331 matching permits in the last 12 months.
Source: Philadelphia L&I: Get a Fence Permit · Full details: Philadelphia Fence Permits
Deck: Usually Yes
Decks less than 12 inches above ground need no permit. Higher decks need a building permit, and a zoning permit too if they exceed 216 sq ft, sit above the first floor or are in a front or side yard. Decks up to 216 sq ft can use an EZ permit.
- Under 12 in above ground: no permit.
- Over 12 in: building permit; EZ permit for decks up to 216 sq ft.
- Zoning permit if over 216 sq ft, above the first floor, or in a front/side yard.
- Philadelphia issued 397 matching permits in the last 12 months.
Source: Philadelphia L&I: Start Right guide (June 2026) (linked above)
| Project | Permit needed? | Permits (12 mo) | Median days to issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| roofing | Yes | 2,588 | Not published |
| HVAC | Yes | 2,439 | Not published |
| fence | Sometimes | 331 | Not published |
| deck | Usually yes | 397 | Not published |
Step-by-Step: What to Do
- Check the EZ permit list for your work type and confirm no plans are needed.
- Decide who files: a licensed Philadelphia contractor or, for an existing one- or two-family home, a resident owner.
- Apply in eCLIPSE or in person (by appointment) at the Permit and License Center.
- Pay the filing fee, permit fee and surcharges; pick up the permit within 60 days of approval.
- Start within 6 months, book inspections 48 hours ahead and get a Certificate of Approval at the end.
When You Also Need Zoning
Decks need a zoning permit too if they are larger than 216 sq ft, above the first floor, or in a front or side yard. Fences up to 6 ft in side and rear yards need no permit, but front-yard fences over 4 ft or more than 50% opaque need a zoning permit, and anything over 6 ft needs both zoning and building permits.
Philadelphia Permit Pages
See Philadelphia Deck Permits, Philadelphia HVAC Permits and Philadelphia Building Permits.
Timelines and Fees From the Start Right Guide
Philadelphia's Start Right guide (June 2026) gives unusually clear service targets. Applications that need no plans are processed the same day if filed in person, or within 5 business days online; other applications from homeowners are processed within 10–15 business days (20 business days for business and commercial applications). A $25 filing fee is paid with a one- or two-family homeowner's application, or $100 for other occupancies. Once approved, a permit must be picked up within 60 days, work must start within 6 months, and the permit expires if work stops for more than 6 months or is not completed within 5 years. How Long Is a Building Permit Good For? Permit Expiration Rules explains why those dates matter.
Doing the Work Yourself
Start Right says a homeowner who lives in the property may do work on it, except electrical work, plumbing, sprinkler work, structural work that affects neighboring properties, and warm-air appliances connected to a flue. Those need licensed contractors. It also recommends that any written contract state who will obtain the permits.
Work That Needs No Permit in Philadelphia
- Window and door replacement in existing openings (1–2 family homes).
- Sheds under 130 sq ft in the rear yard need no zoning permit; one-story detached structures under 200 sq ft need no building permit.
- Non-masonry fences under 6 ft.
- Minor plumbing and electrical repairs.
See Do You Need a Permit for Window Replacement? for window rules in other cities.
Philadelphia Fence Rules in Brief
Fences up to 6 ft in side and rear yards need no permit. Front-yard fences over 4 ft tall or more than 50% opaque need a zoning permit, and fences over 6 ft need both zoning and building permits. Start Right lists non-masonry fences under 6 ft as exempt. See Fence Permit Height Limits Compared Across 11 Cities for other cities.
Who Can Do EZ Permit Work
L&I's EZ permit page says the work can be done by a licensed Philadelphia contractor or, for an existing one- or two-family home, by a resident owner or a Pennsylvania-registered home improvement contractor holding a Commercial Activity License. Electrical, plumbing, sheet metal and fire suppression work always needs a contractor licensed for that trade. Some contractor applications (windows and doors, roof covering, water heaters) can be issued immediately online.
Every permit carries a $3 city surcharge and a $4.50 state surcharge. After inspections pass, L&I issues a Certificate of Approval, which is the record buyers will look for. Window and door replacements in existing openings are exempt for one- and two-family homes only if the property is not on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.
Who Issues Permits in Philadelphia
Residential permits in Philadelphia are issued by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). Its website has the current application portal, fee schedule and inspection scheduling. Issued permits are published as open data in Philadelphia L&I Permits (Carto), which is the source of the permit counts and recent permits shown on our Philadelphia pages. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the department before you start work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a small deck need a permit in Philadelphia?
Decks under 12 inches above ground need no permit. Higher decks need a building permit, which can be an EZ permit up to 216 sq ft.
How long does a Philadelphia EZ permit take?
L&I says applications that need no plans are processed the same day in person or within 5 business days online.
Can I do my own work in Philadelphia?
A resident homeowner can, except electrical, plumbing, sprinkler work, structural work affecting neighbors, and flue-connected warm-air appliances.
What is the filing fee for a Philadelphia homeowner permit?
The Start Right guide (June 2026) says homeowner applications for one- or two-family dwellings carry a $25 filing fee, with the rest of the permit fee due on approval. Other occupancies pay $100.
Do historic properties qualify for the window exemption?
No. Philadelphia exempts same-size window and door replacement on one- and two-family homes only when the property is not historically designated.
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- Philadelphia L&I: Get permits without plans (EZ permits) (linked above) (phila.gov)
- Philadelphia L&I: Start Right guide (June 2026) (linked above) (phila.gov)
- Philadelphia L&I: Get a Fence Permit (linked above) (phila.gov)