Short Answer
Yes, licensed contractorPhiladelphia requires a Complete Demolition Permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) to demolish an entire building, and removing more than two-thirds of the existing framing while altering any outside wall counts as complete demolition. The work must be done by a Philadelphia-licensed demolition contractor, and it cannot start until 21 days after the Notice of Demolition is posted.
Source: City of Philadelphia: Get a Complete Demolition Permit (linked under Sources below)
Philadelphia Demolition Permits at a Glance
- Demolition permits, last 12 months
- 631
- Median application to issue
- Not published
- Slowest quarter took at least
- Not published
- Whole-building demolitions
- 259
Who Can Apply and Do the Work
Owners or their authorized agents (a design professional, attorney, demolition contractor or licensed expediter) can apply, but the work itself needs a Philadelphia-licensed demolition contractor. A Class B license covers buildings up to 3 stories, 40 feet and 10,000 square feet, which includes nearly every rowhouse and twin; Class A covers any structure. The contractor must be current on City taxes, have insurance on file with L&I, and name a site safety manager and a demolition supervisor. Interior or partial demolition does not need a demolition contractor license.
What You Need Before the Permit Is Issued
- A Zoning Permit (the zoning fee for demolition is $63).
- A Plumbing Permit to seal the existing sewer lateral.
- A Philadelphia Water Department permit to discontinue water service.
- Historical Commission approval for historic properties; L&I refuses the application without it.
- A contractor work plan, a demolition schedule with a signed site safety plan, a PA One Call serial number and a Waste Hauler Form.
- Protection of Property documentation and adjacent owner acknowledgement where a party wall is modified or the work is within 90 feet of a historic structure, plus a Building Permit for party wall protection if a wall will be exposed.
What Else to Know in Philadelphia
L&I gives you a Notice of Demolition when you apply, the contractor must post it immediately and send L&I a photo as proof, and work cannot begin until the permit is issued and 21 days have passed since posting. Applications are processed within 20 business days; Accelerated Plan Review cuts that to 5 business days for a $1,050 fee. An asbestos inspection report is required for buildings other than one-to-three-family dwellings built before January 1, 1981.
Philadelphia Demolition Permit Fees
| Item | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Filing fee, one- and two-family dwellings (credited to the permit fee) | $25 |
| Permit fee | $25.30 per 100 sq ft, minimum $253, maximum $50,600 |
| Zoning Permit fee for demolition | $63 |
| City and state surcharges | $3 and $4.50 per permit |
| Accelerated Plan Review (optional) | $1,050 |
From the official page cited in the Short Answer, checked October 30, 2026.
What Philadelphia's Demolition Permit Data Shows
| Type of demolition | Permits | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Whole building | 259 | 41% |
| Garage, shed or other accessory structure | 93 | 15% |
| Partial demolition | 279 | 44% |
Demolition Permits Issued per Month
Types are classified from each permit's description. Permits whose description is demolition, including sewer-lateral and sub-permits for city-funded demolitions; L&I's feed does not publish application dates. Data from Philadelphia L&I Permits (Carto), October 30, 2025 to October 30, 2026.
Where Demolitions Are Happening
| ZIP code | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| 19132 | 72 |
| 19104 | 49 |
| 19134 | 45 |
| 19125 | 40 |
| 19121 | 40 |
| 19133 | 31 |
Recent Demolition Permits
| Issued | Work as described by the city |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-28 | For the complete demolition of an existing structure. Size and location as shown on the plan. |
| 2026-10-28 | FOR THE PARTIAL DEMOLITION OF AN EXISTING STRUCTURE (FRONT PORCH). SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN IN APPLICATION/P |
| 2026-10-27 | Sub Demolition Permit for CF-2026-138560. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Phi |
| 2026-10-27 | FOR THE COMPLETE DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING THREE (3) STORY MASONRY AND WOOD FRAMED STRUCTURE. ALL PERMITTED D |
| 2026-10-27 | Sub Demolition Permit for CF-2024-028225. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Phi |
| 2026-10-27 | Sub Demolition Permit for CF-2026-126704. For the complete demolition of a property as part of the City of Phi |
How to Get a Demolition Permit in Philadelphia
- Check historic and landmark status first. It is the step most likely to add weeks or months.
- Line up the prerequisites listed above, starting with the asbestos survey, pest control and utility disconnections.
- Hire a contractor licensed for demolition where Philadelphia requires one, and sign a written contract.
- Apply, post any required notice, and wait out the notice period before work begins.
- Pass the final inspection and keep the permit with your property records, especially if you plan to rebuild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia requires a Complete Demolition Permit from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) to demolish an entire building, and removing more than two-thirds of the existing framing while altering any outside wall counts as complete demolition. The work must be done by a Philadelphia-licensed demolition contractor, and it cannot start until 21 days after the Notice of Demolition is posted.
How many demolition permits does Philadelphia issue?
631 in the 12 months to October 30, 2026. About 41% were for whole buildings, 15% for garages, sheds and other accessory structures, and 44% for partial demolitions, based on the permit descriptions.
How much is a demolition permit in Philadelphia?
L&I charges $25.30 per 100 square feet, with a $253 minimum and a $50,600 maximum, plus a $25 filing fee for one- and two-family dwellings (credited to the permit fee), a $63 zoning permit fee and $7.50 in surcharges. A 1,200 square foot rowhouse works out to $303.60 in permit fee before the other charges.
How long after posting can demolition start in Philadelphia?
Not until the permit is issued and 21 days have passed since the Notice of Demolition was posted.
Related Permit Guides
- Philadelphia Building Permits
- Demolition Permit Requirements: What Cities Require Before You Tear Down
- Chicago Demolition Permit Requirements
- Seattle Demolition Permit Requirements
- Austin Demolition Permit Requirements
- Los Angeles Demolition Permit Requirements
- Nashville Demolition Permit Requirements
- Kansas City Demolition Permit Requirements
- New York Demolition Permit Requirements
- San Diego Demolition Permit Requirements
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- City of Philadelphia: Get a Complete Demolition Permit (phila.gov)
- City of Philadelphia: Get a Demolition Contractor's License (phila.gov)
- Philadelphia L&I Permits (Carto) (opendataphilly.org)