The Application for Limited Lodging Operator License (form L_036_F) is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) application for a new limited lodging operator license. It is one of the materials L&I groups with its Philadelphia business license applications for rental and property businesses, and it is meant for a natural person who lives in the property as their primary residence. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The form is published by the City of Philadelphia and is marked "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION."
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What is L_036_F?
The Application for Limited Lodging Operator License (form L_036_F, Rev 8.2023) is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) form used to apply for a new limited lodging operator license for a property that is the applicant's primary residence.
The one-page form has three parts and a signed declaration:
- Part A records the property address, the owner or tenant's name, address, email and phone number, the Philadelphia Business Tax number and the Commercial Activity License number.
- Part B asks the applicant to verify that city taxes, charges and fees are current, that a valid Zoning Permit for a limited lodging use is provided, that the unit has been certified lead-safe or lead-free, that the applicant is the primary resident, and that the property has no outstanding building or site violations older than 90 days.
- Part C lists the limits and conditions that come with the license, such as operating only through a licensed booking agent and showing the license number in advertising.
- The declaration and signature block certifies that the statements are true.
The form is for a NEW license. L&I publishes a separate application for the limited lodging and hotels booking agent license, and that is a different document from this operator application. L&I lists both under its Limited Lodging licenses, next to other real estate and property licenses such as the Rental License.
Who needs to file L_036_F?
The main group is a natural person who lives in the property as their primary residence and wants a new limited lodging operator license for it. The form's note says the applicant must be a natural person living in the property as their primary residence.
- Owners and tenants. The form is signed by the "Owner / Tenant," and it requires proof of ownership or a lease agreement.
- Properties in the Tenth Councilmanic District. The applicant must certify that they are both the owner and the primary resident of the property.
- Recent buyers. If the property was recently purchased, a recorded deed or a settlement sheet signed by both buyer and seller must be submitted.
- New owners after a transfer. Licenses are not transferable, so a new owner must obtain a new license.
Do not use this form for the limited lodging and hotels booking agent license, which has its own application. The form also states that no dwelling unit may be operated as limited lodging except through a booking agent holding a valid limited lodging and hotels booking agent license.
When to file L_036_F
Use this application when you need a NEW limited lodging operator license, before you list the dwelling as a limited lodging unit. Part C requires the licensed operator to give the booking agent proof that a valid operator license has been issued and is active for the premises before the listing goes up.
The form sets two ten-business-day deadlines that follow the license. If ownership of the property changes during a license term, the new owner must obtain a new license within ten (10) business days after the transfer. If any information in the application changes during the term, the owner must give the Department updated information in writing within ten (10) business days.
The application itself needs a valid Zoning Permit for a limited lodging use, so obtain that first. L&I also publishes an information sheet on the virtual inspections required for new limited lodging operator license applications and for renewals.
Documents you need
- Proof of ownership or a lease agreement for the property; the form requires it with the application.
- A recorded deed or a settlement sheet signed by both buyer and seller, only if the property was recently purchased.
- A valid Zoning Permit for a limited lodging use, which Part B says must be provided with the application.
- The lead-safe or lead-free certification for the unit, submitted to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health through its lead certification site.
How to fill out L_036_F
Confirm you qualify and gather papers
The applicant must be a natural person living in the property as their primary residence. Have proof of ownership or a lease, the Zoning Permit, and a recorded deed or signed settlement sheet if the property was recently purchased.
Enter the property address
In Part A, write the full address of the property for which you are applying for the license.
Enter the owner or tenant details
Give the Owner / Tenant Name, Owner / Tenant Address, Owner / Tenant Email and Phone #. This is the contact information for the applicant who lives in the property.
Add tax and license numbers
Enter your Philadelphia Business Tax # and your Commercial Activity License # in the License Information area of Part A.
Verify the Part B statements
Check Yes for each statement that is true: taxes, charges and fees current; Zoning Permit provided; lead-safe or lead-free certification submitted; primary resident (and owner, in the Tenth Councilmanic District); no violations older than 90 days.
Read the Part C limits and conditions
Part C covers the booking agent requirement, proof of the license for the booking agent, showing the license number in advertising, non-transferability and the ten-business-day update rule.
Sign and date the declaration
The Owner's / Tenant's Signature and Date certify that the statements are true. A knowingly false statement can lead to possible revocation of licenses and other penalties.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check names, addresses and numbers against your documents, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Do not mail it; follow the submission instructions described under How to submit.
How to submit L_036_F
Do not mail this application. The form is headed "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION," and L&I's page for real estate and property business license materials repeats that business license applications are not to be mailed to L&I. Follow the submission instructions printed at the top of the form and on that L&I page: https://www.phila.gov/documents/real-estate-and-property-business-license-materials/.
Related steps happen with other City offices:
- Lead certification. The form refers to the Department of Public Health lead certification site at leadcertification.phila.gov/login, where the lead-safe or lead-free certification is submitted.
- Supporting papers. Proof of ownership or a lease agreement must be provided, and a recorded deed or signed settlement sheet for a recently purchased property.
- Virtual inspections. L&I publishes an information sheet on the virtual inspections required for new operator license applications.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels L&I gives.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application. The form is marked "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION," and L&I says business license applications are not to be mailed to L&I.
- Applying without a valid Zoning Permit for a limited lodging use, which Part B says must be provided with the application.
- Applying when the applicant is not a natural person living in the property as their primary residence.
- Omitting the recorded deed or the settlement sheet signed by both buyer and seller when the property was recently purchased.
- Certifying primary residence only, without also being the owner, when the property is in the Tenth Councilmanic District.
- Leaving the Philadelphia Business Tax # or Commercial Activity License # blank in Part A.
- Verifying that the property has no outstanding violations when a building or site violation issued more than 90 days before submission is still open.
- Listing the dwelling with a booking agent before the operator license is issued and active, or leaving the license number out of advertising.
- Not telling the Department in writing within ten business days when application information changes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Limited Lodging Operator License application?
It is the City of Philadelphia L&I form used to apply for a new limited lodging operator license for a property where the applicant lives as their primary residence. It has three parts and a signed declaration, and it is a separate document from the booking agent license application.
Is the limited lodging operator license a Philadelphia business license?
L&I issues licenses for businesses in the city and lists this application among its real estate and property business license materials, under Limited Lodging licenses. The form itself is for operators who live in the property as their primary residence.
Who can apply for a limited lodging operator license in Philadelphia?
The applicant must be a natural person living in the property as their primary residence. In the Tenth Councilmanic District, the applicant must be both the owner and the primary resident. Proof of ownership or a lease agreement must be provided.
Can I mail the limited lodging operator license application?
No. The form is marked "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION," and L&I says business license applications are not to be mailed to L&I. Follow the submission instructions on the form and on L&I's license materials page.
What happens if I sell the property or my information changes?
Licenses are not transferable, so a new owner must get a new license within ten business days after the transfer. If application information changes during the license term, give the Department updated information in writing within ten business days.
Do I need a booking agent to operate limited lodging?
Yes. The form says no dwelling unit may be operated as limited lodging except through a booking agent with a valid limited lodging and hotels booking agent license. Before listing, show the booking agent proof that your operator license is valid and active.
Can I fill out the limited lodging operator application online?
You can complete the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City of Philadelphia and does not file the application; submission follows the channels L&I gives.
What happens if I make a false statement on the application?
The declaration says a knowingly false statement makes you subject to possible revocation of any licenses as a result of the false application, and to other penalties prescribed by law or ordinance.
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