Building Permits in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10,988 recent building permits filed in Philadelphia. Updated daily from public records.
10,988 permits
Full Demolition - complete demolition to create vacant lot
Change of Use - Wholesale, Distribution, and Storage - Equipment and Materials Storage Yards and Buildings; Wholesale, Distribution, and Storage - Moving and Storage Facilities
Change of Use - Limited Lodging
New construction, addition, GFA change - For the erection of an attached structure. Size and location as shown on the plan.
Change of Use - Visitor Accommodations
New construction, addition, GFA change - ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE WITH TWO ROOF ACCESS STRUCTURES AND TWO ROOF DECK ACCESSED BY INDIVDUAL DWELLING UNITS. SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON PLANS
New construction, addition, GFA change - New construction of a three story structure with 8' front setback, six dwelling units proposed NO roof decks permitted as per approved plan NTE 38' in height
Change of Use - Medical, Dental, and Health Practitioner - Sole Medical, Dental, and Health Practitioner
New construction, addition, GFA change - For the partial demolition at the rear to be replaced with the erection of an addition at the rear, two (2) roof decks and two (2) roof deck access structures....
Change of Use - Vehicle Paint Finishing Shop.; Personal Vehicle Repair and Maintenance.
Change of Use - Retail Sales - Consumer Goods; Retail Sales - Food, Beverages, and Groceries
New construction, addition, GFA change - FOR THE ERECTION OF A TWO-STORY REAR ADDITION ON AN EXISTING ATTACHED STRUCTURE USED AS A SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING; SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON THE PLAN.
Change of Use - Personal Services; Office - Business and Professional
Change of Use - Residential - Household Living - Single-Family
New construction, addition, GFA change - For the erection of an attached structure. Size and location as shown in plans.
Change of Use - Limited Lodging
Change of Use - Personal Services
Alterations - REPAIR/REPLACE CS & 4" WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPE FROM CURB INTO HOUSE.
Alterations - REPAIR/REPLACE 3/4" WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPE TO FOUNDATION WALL.
Alterations - SEAL LATERA FOR DEMO.
<p>Philadelphia has 3,829 new permits filed in the last 30 days, with plumbing work leading the activity at 3,384 permits on file. Electrical work follows with 1,953 permits, while renovation projects account for 1,465 permits. HVAC jobs represent another 1,309 permits. This volume tells you there's steady work available if you know where to look.</p> <p>The most active areas for construction are concentrated in specific zip codes. The 19143 zip code leads with 516 permits, followed by 19146 with 501 permits, 19148 with 490 permits, 19134 with 487 permits, and 19125 with 468 permits. These neighborhoods account for a significant portion of the city's construction activity, making them prime areas to monitor for residential and commercial work.</p> <p>For contractors bidding on jobs, permit data is your early warning system. When a permit gets filed, the property owner has already committed to the work. Plumbing and electrical permits show the highest volume, meaning competition is fierce but the market is active. Renovation permits indicate remodeling jobs where you can bid on complete packages. HVAC permits often come with electrical work, so bundling services on these projects can increase your margins.</p> <p>DigPermit pulls Philadelphia's permit records daily from public sources, so the data you see reflects what was filed yesterday or today. Contractors who act on new permits within 48 hours of filing have the best chance of getting on bid lists before owners shop around to five different companies.</p>
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find new construction leads in Philadelphia?
Monitor new permit filings in real time. Philadelphia files hundreds of permits each week, and most are public record immediately. Set up alerts for your target zip codes and trade types. When a plumbing or electrical permit hits the system, contact the property owner or general contractor within 48 hours. Permit data shows what work has been approved and budgeted, so you're reaching out when the decision to build is already made, not when they're still thinking about it.
What are the most common permit types in Philadelphia?
Plumbing leads by a wide margin with 3,384 permits on file, followed by electrical at 1,953 permits. Renovation work accounts for 1,465 permits, HVAC for 1,309 permits, and other miscellaneous work for 1,744 permits. If you're a plumber or electrician, the volume of permits means plenty of competition but also consistent demand. If you specialize in renovation or HVAC, you're looking at a smaller but still active market where you may have less competition for individual jobs.
Which zip codes in Philadelphia have the most building permits?
The 19143 zip code is the most active with 516 permits, followed by 19146 (501 permits), 19148 (490 permits), 19134 (487 permits), and 19125 (468 permits). These five zip codes represent the neighborhoods where owners are most actively investing in construction and renovation. Focusing your marketing and lead generation in these areas gives you better odds of finding work compared to neighborhoods with lower permit volume.
What is the average building permit value in Philadelphia?
Permit values vary significantly depending on the type of work and property. A plumbing permit might represent a small repair job or a full building system replacement. An electrical permit could be for upgrading panel service or adding circuits. Renovation permits span from minor updates to complete gut jobs. Rather than relying on average value, use permit data to identify the type of work and property size, then estimate based on your experience with similar projects in that zip code.
How often is Philadelphia permit data updated?
DigPermit updates Philadelphia permit data daily from the city's public records. New permits filed today appear in the system by tomorrow morning. This daily refresh means you're not chasing cold leads from weeks ago. Contractors who check the system regularly can identify opportunities before larger competitors do, especially important in a city with 3,829 permits filed monthly.