The Contractor Code of Conduct Information Sheet (G_001_INF) is a City of Philadelphia document, issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), that lists the eleven rules contractors and subcontractors follow when they work in the city. It covers licensing, permits, approved plans, job-site records, license number display, subcontractor lists, code violations and record keeping. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original sheet and the code of conduct page are published by the City of Philadelphia at phila.gov.
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What is G_001_INF?
The Contractor Code of Conduct Information Sheet is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) document that sets out eleven rules for contractors and subcontractors, individuals and business entities alike, who operate as construction contractors in the city.
The sheet is informational. It is a list of duties, not an application, and the text of the sheet prints no entry lines. Its rules, in short:
- Hold a current and valid L&I contractor license and get all required permits for construction work.
- Follow the approved plans and specifications; changes need approval from the relevant department.
- Never sell or transfer a license or permit to another person, and give accurate information on every L&I license or permit application.
- Keep specified records at each job site, display the Contractor License number on advertisements, stationery, places of business, job sites, proposals and vehicles that show the business name, and send L&I a list of subcontractors with their current license numbers.
- Correct code violations within the period on the notice of violation.
- Keep complete financial and construction records, including plans, for four years after each job is completed.
- Follow all provisions of the Philadelphia Code.
The sheet notes one carve-out: work performed under the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) does not require a licensed contractor. L&I publishes the code of conduct on its contractor requirements page at phila.gov/documents/li-contractor-requirements/.
Who needs to file G_001_INF?
Contractors and subcontractors, whether individuals or business entities, who operate as construction contractors in the City of Philadelphia are the people the sheet addresses. Each must hold a current and valid license issued by L&I.
Conditions and exclusions the sheet states:
- Work performed under the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) does not require a licensed contractor.
- The job-site record list (rule 6) does not apply to work on residential buildings with two dwelling units or fewer. A copy of all permits and a copy of the contractor's insurance certificate are required on all job sites, including those.
- A primary contractor who uses subcontractors must submit a list of them to L&I with each subcontractor's current and valid license number.
Anyone else, such as a property owner hiring a contractor, can read the sheet to see what L&I expects of the contractor; the sheet sets no duties for owners. It does not describe who may sign or act for a contractor.
When to file G_001_INF
The sheet is not filed, so it has no due date of its own. Its rules apply while you work as a contractor in Philadelphia, and several carry their own timing.
- Permits: get all required permits for construction work, and follow the approved plans throughout the project.
- Job-site records: maintain them at each job site while work is under way.
- Violations: correct any code violation cited by L&I within the period specified on the notice of violation.
- Records: keep complete financial and construction records, including plans, for four years after each job is completed.
The sheet sets no date for sending L&I the subcontractor list. It says only that the list covers any subcontractors used on a project.
Documents you need
- Documentation that the contractor has all required licenses, kept at each job site (except work on residential buildings with two dwelling units or fewer).
- A copy of all permits for the project, kept at every job site, including residential buildings with two dwelling units or fewer.
- A copy of the contractor's insurance certificate, kept at every job site, including residential buildings with two dwelling units or fewer.
- A list of all subcontractors and their license numbers, kept at the job site (except work on residential buildings with two dwelling units or fewer) and submitted to L&I.
- Site information record: construction site address, property owner's name, and the primary contractor's business name, business address and contractor license number (job sites other than residential buildings with two units or fewer).
- Complete financial and construction records, including plans, for each job, kept for four years after completion.
How to fill out G_001_INF
Confirm your license status
Rule 1: contractors and subcontractors, individuals and business entities, need a current and valid L&I license to operate as a construction contractor in Philadelphia. Work under HICPA does not require a licensed contractor.
Get all required permits
Rule 2: obtain every permit required for construction work in the city before you work.
Follow approved plans
Rule 3: build to the approved plans and specifications. Any change must be approved by the relevant department.
Keep your license and permits yours
Rule 4: do not sell or transfer a license or permit to another person. Rule 5: give accurate information on every L&I license or permit application.
Prepare job-site records
Rule 6: keep the site address, owner's name, your business name, address and license number, a subcontractor list with license numbers, and proof of licenses at each site, except residential buildings with two dwelling units or fewer.
Keep permits and insurance on site
Rule 6 also requires a copy of all permits and a copy of your insurance certificate at every job site, with no exception for small residential buildings.
Display your license number
Rule 7: show your Contractor License number on advertisements, stationery, places of business, job sites, proposals and vehicles displaying the business name.
Submit the subcontractor list
Rule 8: send L&I a list of any subcontractors used on a project, each with a current and valid license number.
Correct cited violations on time
Rule 9: fix any code violation cited by L&I within the period specified on the notice of violation.
Retain records for four years
Rule 10: keep complete financial and construction records, including plans, for each job for four years after completion.
Follow the Philadelphia Code
Rule 11: comply with all provisions of the Philadelphia Code.
Review and download the PDF
Check that you have read all eleven rules, then download or print the PDF from FillingPDF and keep it with your project records.
How to submit G_001_INF
The Contractor Code of Conduct Information Sheet is not submitted to L&I; it is a statement of rules, and the sheet prints no address, portal or appointment process for it.
Duties that involve L&I:
- Subcontractor list: rule 8 requires you to submit to L&I a list of any subcontractors used on a project, including each subcontractor's current and valid license number. The sheet names no channel for it.
- Violation notices: corrections follow the period on the notice of violation that L&I issued.
- Licenses and permits: the sheet says to give accurate information on any license or permit application filed with L&I; those applications are separate documents.
The code of conduct is published on L&I's page at https://www.phila.gov/documents/li-contractor-requirements/. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Working as a construction contractor in Philadelphia without a current and valid L&I license, when the work is not performed under HICPA.
- Deviating from the approved plans and specifications without approval from the relevant department.
- Selling or transferring a contractor license or permit to another person.
- Leaving the Contractor License number off advertisements, stationery, places of business, job sites, proposals or vehicles that display the business name.
- Using subcontractors without sending L&I a list that includes each subcontractor's current and valid license number.
- Missing the correction period stated on an L&I notice of violation.
- Discarding financial and construction records, including plans, before four years after the job is completed.
- Leaving permits or the insurance certificate off the job site, even on residential buildings with two dwelling units or fewer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Philadelphia Contractor Code of Conduct?
It is an information sheet (G_001_INF) from the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) listing eleven rules for contractors and subcontractors working in Philadelphia, covering licenses, permits, plans, job-site records, license number display, subcontractor lists, violations and record keeping.
Is this a Philadelphia business license application?
No. The sheet is an information document that lists conduct rules for contractors who hold L&I licenses. It contains no application lines and does not issue a license; license and permit applications filed with L&I are separate documents.
Do I need a licensed contractor for home improvement work?
The sheet says work performed under the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) does not require a licensed contractor. Other construction contractor work in Philadelphia requires a current and valid L&I license.
What records must I keep at a Philadelphia job site?
The site address, owner's name, your business name, address and license number, a subcontractor list with license numbers, and proof of required licenses. Residential buildings with two dwelling units or fewer are exempt from those, but permits and the insurance certificate are required on all sites.
Where must I display my contractor license number?
On any advertisements, stationery, places of business, job sites, proposals and vehicles that display the business name. The sheet applies this rule to every contractor, with no size or project exception.
How long must contractors keep job records?
Four years after completion. Rule 10 requires complete financial and construction records, including plans, for each job performed.
How long do I have to fix a code violation?
Within the period specified on the notice of violation L&I issued. The sheet gives no fixed number of days; the notice itself sets the deadline.
Can I fill out the Contractor Code of Conduct sheet online?
You can open the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not connected to the City of Philadelphia, and does not file or submit anything to L&I.
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