The city might still be figuring it out, but we’ve got you covered.
If your property has been tagged as UNSAFE or Imminently Dangerous (ID) by the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I), there’s only one way forward: file a ‘Make Safe’ Building Permit.
This type of building permit is designed to address emergency structural hazards, and while it sounds simple in theory, the actual process is anything but. The city’s policies have changed frequently over the past few years, bouncing between in-person, paper-based submissions and digital portals that… kind of work.
Here’s what you actually need to know in 2025.
What Is a Make Safe Permit?
A Make Safe Permit is a building permit used to remediate a condition that poses a threat to public safety. These are typically issued in response to violation notices citing structural instability due to:
- Neglect or deterioration
- Fire or weather damage
- Vandalism
- Illegal work
- Or just bad luck and gravity
If your building has been tagged as UNSAFE or ID, you cannot file most types of permits, including renovation or demolition, until the Make Safe process is completed.
Can I File a Make Safe Permit Through eCLIPSE?
Short answer: not entirely.
While the permit record will eventually appear in eCLIPSE for tracking and downloading once issued, the initial filing still requires in-person submission at the Municipal Services Building (MSB).
If you attempt to start a Make Safe application online and the system detects an active UNSAFE or ID violation, you’ll be blocked. Red text will appear, and the application cannot be completed. You’ll need to file in person, or hire a firm like Comporth to handle it on your behalf.
Step-by-Step: How to File a Make Safe Permit in Philadelphia
✅ 1. Schedule an Appointment at MSB
Use the QLess system to book your appointment. Select:
- Permit With Plans
- Apply for Permit With Plans
- Then choose your day and time
Appointments tend to run on time, and L&I staff expect you to be ready with all documentation, no exceptions.
✅ 2. Complete the Permit Application
Fill out the standard Building Permit Application and print one copy.
In the “Description of Work” field, write:
MAKE SAFE to [remediate or partially remediate] [violation number]
Pro tip: Make a quick phone scan of the form before handing it in. L&I doesn’t provide copies back.
✅ 3. Gather Your Paperwork (Don’t Go Digital Here)
Bring three (3) printed copies of each of the following:
- 18” x 24” architectural plans
- Structural engineer’s report (8.5” x 11”)
- Photos of the unsafe condition(s) cited in the violation
- Contractor’s valid license, General Liability COI, and current Tax Clearance Certificate
Optional: For minor repairs, L&I may waive the engineering requirement if you provide a detailed, formal remediation letter instead, again, in triplicate.
✅ 4. Confirm Contractor Compliance
This is a big one. The licensed contractor must be named on the initial submission, and their:
- License
- Insurance
- Tax clearance
…must be active and valid at the time of filing.
We strongly recommend that contractors pull their Tax Clearance Certificate in advance. You can do this here or reach out to the Tax Clearance Unit directly.
If the contractor’s paperwork is incomplete or mismatched, your permit will be delayed, or rejected outright.
✅ 5. What Happens After You Submit
Here’s a general timeline to expect:
- 1–2 Days: Application appears in eCLIPSE
- 2–5 Days: You’ll receive an email with an RFI (Request for Information) letter
- Within 10 Days: Respond to RFI by submitting all revised documents in paper form only, unless you’re explicitly told to use eCLIPSE
Warning: If you submit half your documents digitally and the rest via paper, expect major delays. Pick a method and stick with it. Paper is often faster for Make Safe.
Our Recommendation? Let Us Handle It.
Comporth offers same-day courier filing, document prep, and project tracking. We hand-deliver plans and permits to L&I, scan and archive your paperwork, and coordinate directly with your contractor. No missed steps. No lost applications.
We’ve navigated over a dozen changes to the Make Safe filing procedure since 2020, and we know how to get your permit through the system without delay.
Can’t Make It to MSB? We’ll Go For You.
Whether you’re out of state, managing multiple properties, or just don’t have time to deal with the city’s permitting circus, Comporth has your back.
📞 Call us at 215.650.6449
📧 Or contact us here to get your Make Safe permit filed, fast, legally, and correctly.
