Receiving a Notice of Violation from the City of Philadelphia doesn’t necessarily mean your project has come to a halt—but it does mean timely action is important.
Whether you’ve received a violation for work completed without permits, zoning issues, an expired Certificate of Occupancy, property maintenance concerns, or another issue identified by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), understanding the next steps can help prevent additional delays, fines, or enforcement actions.
At Comporth LLC, we help property owners, developers, contractors, architects, business owners, landlords, and real estate professionals navigate Philadelphia’s municipal compliance process. We work with clients to understand the violation, determine what approvals may be required, coordinate with design professionals and contractors when necessary, and assist throughout the permitting and compliance process.
Every property is unique, and every violation should be evaluated individually.
Common Philadelphia L&I Violations
Our team regularly assists clients with projects involving:
✔ Work completed without required permits
✔ Building Code violations
✔ Property Maintenance Code violations
✔ Unsafe Structure notices
✔ Certificate of Occupancy violations
✔ Change of Occupancy requirements
✔ Zoning violations
✔ Fire Code compliance issues
✔ Rental license compliance
✔ Commercial licensing issues
✔ Expired building permits
✔ Missing inspections
✔ Stop Work Orders
✔ Unapproved tenant improvements
✔ Illegal occupancy concerns
✔ Sprinkler system requirements for 3 family units and above
If you’re unsure exactly what your violation means, we can help you understand the City’s requirements and identify the appropriate next steps.
How Our Process Works
1. Review the Violation
We begin by reviewing the violation notice and discussing your property’s history and your project goals.
2. Research the Property
Our team researches available permit records, licensing information, zoning history, and other publicly available municipal records relevant to your project.
3. Determine What’s Needed
Depending on the situation, your project may require permits, revised plans, zoning approvals, inspections, Certificates of Occupancy, professional drawings, or coordination with licensed design professionals.
4. Coordinate the Approval Process
We work with property owners, contractors, architects, engineers, and City departments to help move projects toward compliance as efficiently as possible.
5. Continue Until Resolution
Municipal compliance often involves multiple steps. We help coordinate the process from initial review through final approvals, inspections, and documentation as applicable.
Why Do Philadelphia Violations Occur?
Many property owners are surprised to learn they inherited a violation or unknowingly completed work that required additional approvals.
Common reasons include:
- Previous owners performed work without permits
- Renovations exceeded the scope of an approved permit
- Required inspections were never completed
- Expired permits were never finalized
- A property’s current use differs from its approved occupancy
- Business licensing requirements changed
- Rental licensing requirements were not maintained
- Fire protection or life safety requirements were not satisfied
- Property maintenance deficiencies identified during inspections
- Tenant improvements completed without proper approvals
Every situation is different, which is why it’s important to evaluate the specific facts before deciding how to proceed.
Who We Work With
Our clients include:
- Property owners
- Commercial landlords
- Residential landlords
- Developers
- Real estate investors
- Business owners
- Commercial tenants
- Architects
- Engineers
- General contractors
- Attorneys
- Property managers
Whether you’re addressing a single violation or coordinating approvals for multiple properties, we’re here to help you understand the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell a property that has open violations?
In many cases, yes. However, open violations can affect financing, insurance, buyer negotiations, or closing timelines. Buyers often perform due diligence before purchasing a property.
Can violations delay obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy?
Yes. Depending on the type of violation, outstanding issues may need to be resolved before a Certificate of Occupancy can be issued.
Can permits still be obtained after receiving a violation?
Often, yes. Many violations require obtaining permits after the fact, completing inspections, or correcting work that does not comply with applicable codes.
Will I need architectural drawings?
Some projects require professionally prepared construction documents before permits can be issued. The specific requirements depend on the scope of work and applicable Philadelphia regulations.
How long does it take to resolve a violation?
Every project is different. The timeline depends on the type of violation, whether permits or zoning approvals are required, construction schedules, inspections, and City review times.
Can Comporth guarantee a violation will be removed?
No. Municipal agencies make all final determinations regarding permits, inspections, violations, and compliance. Our role is to help clients understand the process, prepare required documentation, coordinate approvals, and navigate the City’s procedures as efficiently as possible.
Some Violations May Require Additional Approvals
Not every violation can be resolved by simply obtaining a permit. Depending on the property’s history and the nature of the violation, additional approvals may be required before work can move forward.
These may include:
- Zoning permits
- Zoning variances (when applicable)
- Special exceptions
- Certificates of Occupancy
- Building permits
- Trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire suppression, etc.)
- Required inspections
The appropriate path depends on the specific property, proposed use, and the City’s requirements. Evaluating the violation early can help determine which approvals may be necessary before corrective work begins.
Related Services
If your project requires additional assistance, we also help clients with:
- Permit Expediting
- Certificates of Occupancy
- Zoning Assistance
- Business Licensing
- Architectural Drafting
- Due Diligence
- Managing Agent Services
- Municipal Compliance Consulting
Why Choose Comporth LLC?
Municipal compliance can be complex, especially when multiple approvals, departments, and professionals are involved.
Comporth LLC specializes in helping clients navigate Philadelphia’s permitting, licensing, zoning, and regulatory processes. By coordinating with property owners, architects, contractors, engineers, and City agencies, we help simplify what can otherwise be a confusing process.
Whether you’re responding to an L&I violation, planning renovations, purchasing a property, or seeking to bring an existing building into compliance, our team is here to help you understand the path forward.
