Philadelphia is a city of old buildings. The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) reported over 16,000 active building code violations in 2023-24, and thousands of those violations pose a danger to the safety of the public. Among the most serious categories of these violations is “unsafe structures,” which are buildings that have unsound walls, roofs, porches, or complete foundations – properties that are a danger to their occupants and the public is at risk.
To resolve these situations, the City of Philadelphia requires owners to apply for a Make Safe Permit. A Make Safe Permit is a very particular type of permit that allows emergency work such as a partial demolition, or to secure another building through temporary shoring, or other structural repairs. If a property owner does not obtain a Make Safe Permit for this type of work, they may have to worry about the city taking forced action against them and charging the property owner for any work required to remediate the violation.
If you are a landlord, homeowner, or just an investor, this guide will help you gain insights on how to obtain a Make Safe Permit for getting back to legal and physical safety of your property. Puro-tec Property Restoration will take you through the step-by-step process to remain in compliance, protect your investment, and take action when faced with open violations in Philadelphia.
What is a Make Safe Permit?
A Make Safe Permit is a city-issued construction permit that is unique in addressing structural safety problems. Unlike a building permit, Make Safe Permits are only issued for work directly turning a safety hazard into a non-hazardous safety concern. This may include:
- A partial demolition of a failing section of a building
- Emergency shoring to prevent collapse
- Stabilization of walls that are leaning or bowing
- The removal of a roof or porch due to rot or structural failure
A Make Safe Permit does not include standard exterior repairs, remodeling, or total renovations. These are strictly for addressing imminent hazards. After the hazard is addressed, you are welcome to get other building permits to repair or upgrade your building.
When Do You Get a Make Safe Permit?
You must get a Make Safe Permit in the following instances:
- Structural Violations from L & I
When L & I inspects your property and concludes a structural element is unsound or in danger of collapse they will issue a violation notice that will require corrective action through a Make Safe Permit.
- Fire or Water Damage
If your property has been severely damaged by fire, flood, or burst pipes, some portions of your property may no longer be structurally sound. If post-disaster site inspection determines there may be a risk of collapse, you will need a Make Safe Permit.
- Building Collapse or Imminent Collapse
If a section of your property has partially collapsed or is otherwise clearly at risk of collapse, you are responsible for taking emergency steps to stabilize or protect that section through a Make Safe Permit process immediately.
- Court and Cease Operations Notices
There are occasional scenarios that occur where courts or L & I will issue an order preventing occupancy or actual use of a building until a Make Safe Permit to take action has been issued, and a dangerous situation has been resolved.
When and How to Get a Make Safe Permit in Philadelphia
If you are applying for a Make Safe Permit for the first time and are quite confused about when and where to start from, our property restoration experts in Philadelphia are here to help you with the process to ensure minimum hassles and disruptions.
Step 1: Engage a Licensed Structural Engineer
The first and most important step is to engage a Pennsylvania-licensed structural engineer or architect to inspect the property. The structural engineer will:
- Perform a full investigation of the unsafe condition
- Identify the cause and extent of the structural problems
- Prepare stamped plans to show the recommended solution
The report and drawings from the engineer will be the basis for your permit application and will ensure that any proposed work complies with the city safety code.
Step 2: Scope of Work
A scope of work will be prepared based on the engineer’s investigation, which clearly describes the:
- Areas of the structure that are involved
- Steps to stabilize or demolish those areas
- Materials and methods to be used
- Time estimates to perform the work
L&I will review the proposed scope of work to determine whether the proposed action will resolve the safety hazard. If the scope of work is vague or incomplete, your permit may be delayed.
Step 3: Apply using the eCLIPSE system
Philadelphia requires all permit applications to be made through its eCLIPSE online portal. You will need:
- Address and legal owner of the property
- Stamped the engineer’s plans and detailed scope of work
- Licensed Philadelphia-based contractor to perform the work
- Certificates of insurance and contractor licenses
- Any additional zoning or historical clearances as needed
Once all of your materials are uploaded into the eCLIPSE system, you can then apply and pay your fees online.
Step 4: Pay Permit Fees
Permit fee is based on the estimated cost of construction and square footage. Make Safe Permit fees are generally $150 to $500+, depending on the complexity and location of the worksite. The fee needs to be paid before L&I will issue an application.
Step 5: Inspect & Commence Work
Once your permit has been approved, the licensed contractor is free to commence the stabilizations or demolition work. You will need to:
- Schedule a mandatory inspection with L&I at some stages of the project
- Have the work performed precisely as the plans approved by L&I
- Notify your engineer and L&I of any changes in the field
L&I inspectors will examine your work to check for compliance with your plans and approved phases and will issue approvals as each work phase is completed.
Step 6: Final Inspection and Violation Closure
When all work is completed, you will need to schedule a final inspection of the work done. If the construction inspector verifies that the hazard has been mitigated as per the approved work plans, L&I will:
- Mark the violation as “complied”
- Close out the Make Safe Permit in the city’s system
- Remove any enforcement action pending against the property, and you
This step restores your property to legal status, allowing you to proceed with further renovations or occupancy, or to sell the property without limitation. By working with experienced professionals such as Puro-tec Property Restoration, you can help mitigate delays and get back on track.
Conclusion: Stay Compliant, Don’t Delay Your Permits
If you have been issued a structural violation by L&I or have unsafe building conditions, time is of the essence. Although getting a Make Safe Permit in Philadelphia may seem cumbersome, it is the most legitimate and most time efficient way to get your property back into a safe condition as per the city standards.
Don’t wait for the city to escalate enforcement. Be proactive, follow the procedures, and save your investment. Working with the right professionals can go a long way. Having an experienced restoration partner can ease anxiety and streamline the process.
Puro-tec Property Restoration specializes in helping Philadelphia property owners respond to emergency violation orders and safely restore buildings. We work directly with licensed and insured structural engineers, submit your permit application, and work directly with approved contractors to get the job done right and quickly.
With years of experience in emergency response service, structural repairs, fire restoration, and code compliance, Puro-tec appreciates the urgency required for Make Safe Permits and the complexities involved. We don’t just renovate buildings; we renovate your peace of mind.
Whether you are a homeowner, landlord or real estate professional, we will help guide you through L&I violations, get back into compliance, and defend your property value.
Need help with a Making Safe Permit in Philadelphia? Call us today for a consultation or a 24/7 emergency response.
