The Application for a High-Rise License (form L_025_F) is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) application for a NEW license for a high-rise building. It is one of the Philadelphia business license applications that L&I lists among its property licenses. The owner supplies the building details, the owner and manager or operator contacts, tax account numbers and a signed declaration. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form itself says it must be submitted in person and must not be mailed.
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What is L_025_F?
The Application for a High-Rise License is the one-page City of Philadelphia form, issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), that an owner completes and submits to apply for a NEW High-Rise License for a building in the city.
The form has three parts and a declaration:
- Part A collects the property information (address, number of floors, total gross square footage and the area occupied as dwelling units), the owner and manager or operator contact details, the license and tax account numbers, and a list of Pennsylvania corporations in which the owner holds an equity interest.
- Part B is a verification that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current, with a note that the building must operate in accordance with the Philadelphia code.
- Part C lists the limits and conditions that apply to the license: certified and tested fire protection equipment, unobstructed fire towers and exits, common areas kept safe and clean, a fire safety evacuation plan kept on site, and engineer or manager contact information readily available.
- The Declaration and Signature block is signed and dated by the owner. It warns that a knowingly false statement can lead to possible revocation of licenses and other penalties prescribed by law or ordinance.
L&I lists this application under "Other property licenses," separate from the applications for rental licenses, limited lodging licenses, vacant property licenses and residential property wholesaler licenses. Each of those has its own form. The revision printed on this form is Rev 11.2022.
Who needs to file L_025_F?
The owner of a high-rise building in Philadelphia who needs a NEW High-Rise License completes this application. The form is headed "Complete and submit this application for a NEW High-Rise License," and it is signed by the owner.
Details the form attaches to the applicant:
- The owner's name, address, email and phone number are required in Part A. A manager or operator is added only if different from the owner.
- If the legal entity is a company, up to two corporate owners must be named.
- The owner must list every Pennsylvania corporation, including limited liability corporations, in which the owner has any equity interest, whether direct or held through one or more tiers of a corporate structure such as a parent-subsidiary structure.
- Part B asks the applicant to verify that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current.
Do not use this form for other property licenses. L&I publishes separate applications for rental licenses, limited lodging licenses, vacant residential or commercial property licenses and residential property wholesaler licenses. The form does not describe signing on the owner's behalf; it provides one signature line for the owner.
When to file L_025_F
Submit the application when you are applying for a NEW High-Rise License; that is the triggering event named at the top of the form. No separate deadline or renewal date is printed on it.
Before you go to submit, have the Part A details ready, including the Philadelphia Business Tax #, Commercial Activity License # and Federal Tax Identification #. Part B asks you to verify that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current, so confirm that first. The form must be submitted in person, and it states that it must not be mailed. Check with L&I for timing questions that the form does not answer.
How to fill out L_025_F
Confirm this is a new license
The form is for a NEW High-Rise License. Use a different L&I application for rental, limited lodging, vacant property or wholesaler licenses.
Enter the property information
In Part A, give the property address, the number of floors in the building, the total gross square footage and the area occupied as dwelling units.
Enter the owner's contact details
Write the owner's name, address, email and phone number. If the legal entity is a company, name up to two corporate owners.
Add the manager or operator
Complete the manager or operator name, address, email and phone number only if the manager or operator is different from the owner.
Enter your tax and license numbers
Fill in the Philadelphia Business Tax #, the Commercial Activity License # and the Federal Tax Identification #.
List Pennsylvania corporations
Name every Pennsylvania corporation, including limited liability corporations, in which the owner has any equity interest, direct or through tiers. For each, give the title and the home address with city, state and ZIP code.
Verify City taxes in Part B
Check Yes to verify that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current. The form also notes that the building must operate in accordance with the Philadelphia code.
Read the Part C conditions
Review the limits and conditions: certified and tested fire protection equipment, unobstructed fire towers and exits, safe and clean common areas, an on-site fire safety evacuation plan and available engineer or manager contact information.
Sign and date the declaration
The owner signs and dates the declaration that the statements are true and correct to the best of the owner's knowledge and belief.
Review and download the PDF
Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and take it to L&I in person, as described under How to submit.
How to submit L_025_F
The form gives one channel: in person. It is headed "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and says the application must be submitted in person.
- In person: take the completed, signed application to L&I yourself. The form prints no street address or office hours, so confirm the location with the Department of Licenses and Inspections before you go.
- Not by mail: the L&I page on real estate and property business licenses repeats the instruction not to mail business license applications to L&I.
The signature block is for the owner: sign and date the declaration before you submit. The form lists no fee and no attachments. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application. The form states "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and requires in-person submission.
- Using this application for a rental, limited lodging, vacant property or wholesaler license; L&I publishes a separate application for each.
- Leaving out the manager or operator details when the manager or operator is different from the owner.
- Naming no corporate owners, or more than two, when the legal entity is a company; the form allows up to two corporate owners.
- Omitting Pennsylvania corporations, including LLCs, in which the owner holds equity indirectly through a parent-subsidiary or other tiered structure.
- Verifying in Part B that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current when they are not.
- Submitting the form without the owner's signature and date on the declaration.
- Treating the Part C limits and conditions as optional; they include certified and tested fire protection equipment and a fire safety evacuation plan kept on site.
Frequently asked questions
What is the High-Rise License Application in Philadelphia?
It is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) application, form L_025_F, for a NEW High-Rise License. The owner supplies building and contact details, tax numbers, a Part B verification and a signed declaration.
Can I mail the Philadelphia high-rise license application?
No. The form is headed "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and says it must be submitted in person. L&I's property license page also says not to mail business license applications to L&I.
Who signs the high-rise license application?
The owner signs and dates the Declaration and Signature block, certifying that the statements are true and correct to the best of the owner's knowledge and belief. The form has no separate signature line for a manager or representative.
What happens if I make a false statement on the application?
The declaration says that anyone who knowingly makes a false statement is subject to possible revocation of any licenses resulting from the false application, and to other penalties prescribed by law or ordinance.
What information does Part A ask for?
Part A asks for the property address, number of floors, total gross square footage, area occupied as dwelling units, owner and manager or operator contacts, tax and license numbers, and the owner's Pennsylvania corporations.
Do I have to list every corporation the owner has an interest in?
Yes, every Pennsylvania corporation, including limited liability corporations, in which the owner has any equity interest. That includes interests held through tiers such as a parent-subsidiary structure, not only direct ownership.
Can I fill out the Philadelphia high-rise license application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City of Philadelphia and does not file the application; you submit it to L&I in person.
Is this the form for a rental or vacant property license?
No. L&I lists separate applications for rental licenses, limited lodging licenses, vacant residential or commercial property licenses and residential property wholesaler licenses. This form is only for a high-rise license.
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