The Application for a Carnival License (L_053_F, Form AB) is the form the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) uses to issue a NEW Carnival License. It covers only this one entertainment license, so it is not a general Philadelphia business license application. Owners and operators use it to give the carnival's location, their tax and license numbers, and the insurance, permission and permit details L&I checks. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form must be submitted in person, not mailed.
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What is L_053_F?
The Application for a Carnival License (form L_053_F, Form AB) is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) form used to apply for a NEW Carnival License, the license required before anyone operates a ride or attraction at a carnival.
L&I issues entertainment business licenses, a group that includes the Special Assembly Occupancy License, the Event Promotor Registration and the Carnival License. This form belongs to the last of those.
The one-page form has three parts:
- Part A records the address of the licensed activity, the owner or operator's contact details, any Pennsylvania corporations in which the applicant holds an equity interest, and the Philadelphia Business Tax # and Commercial Activity License #.
- Part B asks you to verify that an active certificate of insurance, current City taxes, charges and fees, and a letter of permission from the location's owner are in order, and to give an Electrical Permit No.
- Part C sets out the limits and conditions of the license, followed by a declaration and signature.
The form says it is for a new license and gives no renewal procedure. It also says that any knowingly false statement can lead to possible revocation of licenses and other penalties prescribed by law or ordinance.
Who needs to file L_053_F?
The owner or operator of a carnival in Philadelphia who needs a NEW Carnival License files this application. The form states that no person may operate any ride or attraction at a carnival without a Carnival License from the Department, so anyone planning to run rides or attractions is covered.
The conditions in Part C decide who can be licensed:
- The applicant must certify that all receipts of the carnival are collected by, and all proceeds (less necessary operating expenses) go to the benefit of, a bona fide religious, educational or charitable institution, society or organization.
- The carnival must be operated on the grounds of that entity.
- Only one Carnival License is issued for a location in any one calendar year.
Part A asks for the property owner's and/or carnival operator's information. If the legal entity is a "company", up to two corporate owners must be named. The Part B items, insurance, current City taxes and fees, and the location owner's letter of permission, must be in place before you apply. The form is signed by the owner or operator and asks for no representative's signature.
When to file L_053_F
File the application when you need a NEW Carnival License, before any ride or attraction is operated at the carnival. The form sets no filing deadline of its own, but it requires you to supply the proposed date and place of the carnival, so the plans must be settled when you apply.
Plan around the limits printed in Part C: a Carnival License is not valid for more than eight consecutive days, and only one is issued for a location in any one calendar year. The license holder must close the carnival no later than 11 pm. The form gives no processing time.
Documents you need
- Active certificate of insurance showing at least the minimum insurance amounts; Part B asks you to verify it is provided.
- Letter of permission from the owner of the location where the carnival will be held; Part B asks you to verify it is provided.
How to fill out L_053_F
Enter the carnival location
In Part A, write the address of the licensed activity, the place where the carnival will be held.
Give the owner or operator details
Enter the Owner/Operator's Name, the Business Name if different from the owner, the Owner/Operator's Address, Email and the Operator's Phone #. Use the contact information of the property owner and/or carnival operator.
Name your corporate interests
List all Pennsylvania corporations, including limited liability corporations, in which you hold any equity interest, direct or through tiers such as a parent-subsidiary structure. For each, give the Name of Corporate Owner, Title, Home Address and City/State/Zip; if the legal entity is a "company", name up to two corporate owners.
Add your tax and license numbers
Enter your Philadelphia Business Tax # and your Commercial Activity License # in the tax account and license section of Part A.
Verify the Part B items
Check Yes only if an active certificate of insurance with the minimum insurance amounts is provided, all City taxes, charges and fees are current, and a letter of permission from the location's owner is provided.
Enter the Electrical Permit No.
In Part B, write the Electrical Permit No. on the line provided.
Read the Part C conditions
Confirm the carnival fits the limits: no more than eight consecutive days, one license per location per calendar year, proceeds going to a bona fide religious, educational or charitable entity, and closing by 11 pm.
Sign and date the declaration
The owner or operator signs and dates the declaration that the statements are true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every entry against your insurance certificate, permission letter and permit, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and take it, with your Part B items, to L&I in person as described under How to submit.
How to submit L_053_F
The form states "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and says it must be submitted in person.
- In person: the L&I page for entertainment business licenses says to take the application to the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse and repeats "Do not mail applications."
- Online: the same L&I page says L&I's entertainment licenses, including the Carnival License, can be applied for online. The form itself says in-person submission, so confirm with L&I which channel applies to your application.
Bring the signed application with your Part B items: the active certificate of insurance and the letter of permission from the location's owner, along with the Electrical Permit No. and your tax and license numbers. The form names no fee amount; ask L&I about any charges. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application. The form says "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and that it must be submitted in person.
- Using this form for something other than a NEW Carnival License; the form says it is for a new license.
- Applying for a carnival longer than eight consecutive days; a Carnival License is not valid beyond that.
- Applying for a second license at the same location in one calendar year; only one is issued per location per calendar year.
- Applying when the proceeds will not go to a bona fide religious, educational or charitable institution, society or organization, or when the carnival will not be on its grounds.
- Checking Yes in Part B without an active certificate of insurance or the location owner's letter of permission in hand.
- Checking Yes for City taxes, charges and fees being current when they are not.
- Leaving the Philadelphia Business Tax #, Commercial Activity License # or Electrical Permit No. blank.
- Submitting the form without the owner's or operator's signature and date.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Application for a Carnival License?
It is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) form, L_053_F (Form AB), used to apply for a NEW Carnival License. The license is required before anyone operates a ride or attraction at a carnival.
Can I mail the Philadelphia carnival license application?
No. The form is headed "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and says it must be submitted in person. L&I's page for entertainment licenses also says not to mail applications and points to the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse.
How long is a Carnival License valid?
A Carnival License is not valid for more than eight consecutive days. Only one Carnival License is issued for a location during any one calendar year, so a second carnival at the same location in the same year cannot be licensed.
Who can get a Carnival License in Philadelphia?
The applicant must certify that all receipts and proceeds, less necessary operating expenses, benefit a bona fide religious, educational or charitable institution, society or organization, and that the carnival will run on that entity's grounds.
What do I need before I apply?
Part B asks you to verify an active certificate of insurance with the minimum amounts, current City taxes, charges and fees, and a letter of permission from the location's owner. You also enter an Electrical Permit No., your Philadelphia Business Tax # and your Commercial Activity License #.
What time must a carnival close?
Not later than 11 pm. Part C also requires the license holder to take reasonably necessary action to prevent loud, noisy devices or activities and disorder, and to comply with the regulations of The Philadelphia Code.
Is this a general Philadelphia business license application?
No. This form covers only the Carnival License, one of the entertainment licenses L&I issues alongside the Special Assembly Occupancy License and the Event Promotor Registration.
Can I fill out the carnival license application online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, is not connected to the City of Philadelphia and does not submit the application; you submit it to L&I through its channels.
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