Form L_028_F, Application for a Food License, is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) application for a new food establishment, food manufacturer, or food preparing and serving license. It is one of the Philadelphia business license applications, and it covers food businesses only. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and its filing rules are published by L&I, and the form states that it must be submitted in person and not mailed.
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What is L_028_F?
Form L_028_F, Application for a Food License, is the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) application for a new food establishment, food manufacturer, or food preparing and serving license in the City of Philadelphia. The owner states the license type and business details.
The form has one page and three parts. Part A records the type of license, the business address, the owner's contact information, the business name if it differs from the owner's, the Philadelphia Business Tax number and the Commercial Activity License number. Part B asks you to verify that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current, that a License Eligibility Report (LER) issued by the Department of Public Health's Office of Food Protection is provided, and that a valid Zoning Permit is provided. Part C lists the limits and conditions that apply to a licensed food establishment.
The license types on the form are Food Manufacturer, Wholesale Processed; Food Establishment (Retail, Non-Permanent, or Retail, Permanent Location, either up to 5,000 sq. ft. or over 5,000 sq. ft. gross store area); and Food Preparing and Serving (up to 29 seats, 30+ seats, or Caterer). It is the application for a NEW license, as the form says.
L&I's food business page says that anyone who wants to open and operate a food business in Philadelphia needs the appropriate licenses from L&I. That page also points to the Health Department's page for food businesses for documents it does not list.
Who needs to file L_028_F?
Owners who want to open a new food business in Philadelphia in one of the license categories printed in Part A use this application. Those categories are food manufacturer (wholesale processed), food establishment (retail, non-permanent or permanent location) and food preparing and serving (up to 29 seats, 30+ seats, or caterer). The owner or business signs the declaration.
Conditions tied to the form:
- You select one license type in Part A.
- Every applicant provides a License Eligibility Report (LER) from the Department of Public Health's Office of Food Protection and a valid Zoning Permit, and confirms that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current.
- A Food Establishment at a permanent location provides a Pennsylvania liquor license only if alcohol will be sold at the business.
The form is for a NEW license. Do not mail it: the form says it must be submitted in person.
When to file L_028_F
Submit Form L_028_F when you are ready to apply for a new food license, with the License Eligibility Report (LER) and the valid Zoning Permit that Part B says must be provided with the application. The form prints no deadline of its own and is written for a NEW license. If you sell alcohol at a permanent-location food establishment, have the Pennsylvania liquor license ready as well, because Part B requires it with the application in that case. Confirm before you go that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current, since Part B asks you to verify this.
Documents you need
- License Eligibility Report (LER) issued by the Department of Public Health's Office of Food Protection: Part B requires it with the application for all license types.
- A valid Zoning Permit: Part B requires it with the application for all license types.
- A Pennsylvania liquor license: required only for a Food Establishment at a permanent location when alcohol will be sold at the business.
How to fill out L_028_F
Gather your supporting documents
Before you start, obtain the License Eligibility Report (LER) from the Department of Public Health's Office of Food Protection and a valid Zoning Permit. If you will sell alcohol at a permanent-location food establishment, have the Pennsylvania liquor license too.
Select the license type in Part A
Check one box under License Type: Food Manufacturer, Wholesale Processed; a Food Establishment option (Retail, Non-Permanent, or Retail, Permanent Location up to or over 5,000 sq. ft. gross store area); or a Food Preparing and Serving option (up to 29 seats, 30+ seats, or Caterer).
Enter the business address
On the Business address line, write the full address of the business location.
Enter the owner's contact information
Fill in Owner's Name, Owner's Address, Owner's Email and Phone #.
Add the business name and account numbers
Enter the Business Name if it is different from the owner's name. Then enter your Philadelphia Business Tax # and Commercial Activity License #.
Verify the Part B statements
Check Yes for each statement that is true: taxes, charges and fees current, License Eligibility Report provided, and valid Zoning Permit provided. For a permanent-location food establishment selling alcohol, also confirm that the Pennsylvania liquor license is provided.
Read the Part C limits and conditions
Review the conditions, including the Food Establishment Personnel Food Safety Certificate requirement, a self-inspection at least every three months, and notice to the Department of any known or suspected foodborne illness.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Sign and date the declaration as Owner/Business Signature. Check that every entry is correct, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and take it in person with your documents, as described under How to submit.
How to submit L_028_F
The form says it must be submitted in person, and it is marked "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION." L&I's food business page describes two ways to apply for food business licenses: online through L&I, or in person at the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building Concourse. It also says not to mail applications.
- In person: take the completed application, with the License Eligibility Report (LER), the valid Zoning Permit and, if it applies, the Pennsylvania liquor license, to the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building Concourse.
- Online: L&I says you can apply for food business licenses online; start from the L&I page at https://www.phila.gov/documents/food-business-documents/.
- By mail: not accepted.
Neither the form nor the L&I page gives a fee amount or a processing time for this application. Contact L&I for payment details. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application. The form is marked "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and says it must be submitted in person.
- Submitting without the License Eligibility Report (LER) from the Department of Public Health's Office of Food Protection, which Part B requires for all license types.
- Leaving out the valid Zoning Permit that Part B requires with the application.
- Omitting the Pennsylvania liquor license when a permanent-location food establishment will sell alcohol.
- Selecting more than one license type in Part A instead of the single type the form asks for.
- Confirming in Part B that City taxes, charges and fees are current when they are not. The declaration warns that a knowingly false statement can lead to revocation of licenses and other penalties.
- Leaving the Owner/Business Signature or the date blank on the declaration.
- Using this form for something other than a NEW food license; the form says it is for new applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form L_028_F used for?
Form L_028_F, Application for a Food License, is the L&I application for a new food establishment, food manufacturer, or food preparing and serving license in Philadelphia. It records the license type, the business and owner details, and the eligibility documents provided.
Can I mail the Philadelphia food license application?
No. The form is marked "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and says it must be submitted in person. L&I's food business page also says not to mail applications, and it describes online and in-person options instead.
How do I get a Philadelphia business license for a food business?
Apply to L&I for the license that matches your business. Complete Form L_028_F, attach the License Eligibility Report and the valid Zoning Permit, and submit it in person at the Permit and License Center, or apply online through L&I.
What documents do I need with the food license application?
Part B requires a License Eligibility Report (LER) from the Department of Public Health's Office of Food Protection and a valid Zoning Permit for every license type. A Pennsylvania liquor license is needed only for a permanent-location food establishment that sells alcohol.
Where do I take the application in person?
L&I's page says to take your application to the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building Concourse. The page also says you can apply for food business licenses online from L&I, but not by mail.
Who signs Form L_028_F?
The declaration is signed by the owner or business, on the Owner/Business Signature line with a date. By signing, you certify that your statements are true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief.
What happens if I make a false statement on the application?
The declaration says a person who knowingly makes a false statement is subject to possible revocation of any licenses resulting from the false application, plus other penalties prescribed by law or ordinance.
Can I fill out the food license application online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of L&I and does not submit the application; you take it in person or apply online through L&I.
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