Philadelphia County, PA Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections handles a wide range of code violations driven by the city's diverse building stock. The most common violations include: working without proper permits (construction, electrical, plumbing, mechanical); failing to follow approved plans during construction; zoning violations such as unauthorized use changes and setback encroachments; property maintenance failures including deteriorated facades, broken windows, overgrown vegetation, and accumulated trash; unsafe building conditions including structural deficiencies, exposed electrical, and fire safety issues; unauthorized occupancy changes (converting single-family homes to multi-unit rentals without proper permits); unlicensed contractor work; and violations of the Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code. Philadelphia's older housing stock (many homes date to the 19th and early 20th centuries) generates additional issues including lead paint hazards, deteriorating masonry, and failing infrastructure. The city has particularly focused enforcement on occupied buildings without valid Use and Occupancy certificates (U&O) and on landlords operating rental properties without proper licenses.