Do You Need a Roofing Permit in Philadelphia?
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.
Source: Philadelphia L&I: Get permits without plans (EZ permits)
Philadelphia Roofing Permits at a Glance
- Permits, last 12 months
- 2,588
- Issued, last 30 days
- 245
- Median application to issue
- Not published
- Median permit fee paid
- Not published
- Issuing office
- Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)
- Rule last checked
- October 30, 2026
Permits Issued per Month
Counts are approximate: we match permit types and descriptions to roofing work. Data from Philadelphia L&I Permits (Carto), refreshed October 30, 2026.
What Philadelphia's Rules Say
- 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 Roofing Permit Fees
We have not verified Philadelphia's fee for this work from an official fee schedule yet, so we don't quote one. The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) sets the fee when you apply.
Busiest Areas for Roofing Permits
| ZIP code | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| 19143 | 145 |
| 19140 | 136 |
| 19104 | 120 |
| 19144 | 115 |
| 19119 | 110 |
| 19134 | 109 |
How to Get a Roofing Permit in Philadelphia
- Confirm the rule for your exact job on the official page cited above. Size, height, structure and location (historic district, floodplain) can change the answer.
- Choose who applies. Many permits here must be pulled by a licensed contractor; ask any contractor to name the license they will use.
- Apply with the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) through the official department website.
- Schedule inspections as the permit requires, and keep the final approval with your house records.
Recent Philadelphia Roofing Permits
| Issued | Address | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-29 | 622 S 2Nd St | EZ PERMIT RE-ROOFING- For the Installation of New Roof Coverings on Exiting Roofs as per attached standard. Deviations f |
| 2026-10-29 | 2809 Aramingo Ave | For minor construction work at the subject property in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Philadelphia Cod |
| 2026-10-29 | 1301 N 29Th St | ALTERATIONS AND AN ADDITION TO EXISTING BUILDING. INTERIOR INSTALLATION OF DRAINAGE, WASTE, VENT, AND WATER SUPPLY FOR L |
| 2026-10-29 | 1932 69Th Ave | For minor construction work at the subject property in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Philadelphia Cod |
| 2026-10-29 | 101 Colonial St | For minor construction work at the subject property in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Philadelphia Cod |
| 2026-10-29 | 538 E Bringhurst St | For minor construction work at the subject property in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Philadelphia Cod |
| 2026-10-29 | 621 S 2Nd St | For the Installation of New Roof Coverings on Existing Roofs as per attached standard. Deviations from these standards r |
| 2026-10-29 | 7114 Ridge Ave | Install 10 Lithonia 2FSL2 2X2 LED light fixtures Install 4 Lithonia 2FSL2 2X2 light fixtures with EM drivers Relocate on |
| 2026-10-29 | 6143 Lawnton St | For minor construction work at the subject property in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Philadelphia Cod |
| 2026-10-28 | 2651 S Mildred St | **MAKE SAFE PERMIT** FOR REPAIRS TO THE MAIN ROOF, INTERIOR FLOOR JOISTS, AND THE FRONT PORCH TO COMPLY WITH VIOLATION # |
Addresses and work descriptions as published by the city. Owner names and phone numbers are removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a roofing permit in Philadelphia?
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.
How many roofing permits does Philadelphia issue?
Philadelphia issued 2,588 permits matching roofing work between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026, about 216 a month. The busiest month was Mar 2026 with 246.
How much does a roofing permit cost in Philadelphia?
We have not yet verified Philadelphia's fee for this work from an official fee schedule, so we do not quote one. The fee is set by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) when you apply.
How long does it take to get a roofing permit in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia's open data for these records does not include usable application dates, so we cannot calculate a processing time. Ask the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) for current timelines.
Who issues roofing permits in Philadelphia?
The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
Related Permit Guides
- Philadelphia HVAC Permits
- Philadelphia Fence Permits
- Philadelphia Deck Permits
- Baltimore Roofing Permits
- New York Roofing Permits
- Philadelphia Roofing Permit Leads
- Roofing Permits by City
- Roof Replacement Permit Rules in 10 US Cities
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) (phila.gov)