Form L_037_F, the Application for Limited Lodging and Hotels Booking Agent License, is issued by the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) and is used to apply for a NEW booking agent license. It is one of the Philadelphia business license applications that L&I publishes among its real estate and property business materials. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form must then be submitted in person, because L&I does not accept it by mail.
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What is L_037_F?
The Application for Limited Lodging and Hotels Booking Agent License (Form L_037_F) is the one-page City of Philadelphia form used to apply for a new license to act as a booking agent for limited lodging, hotel or similar short-term rental use. It is issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
The form is built in three parts. Part A collects the applicant and agent contact information and the license and tax account information: the Philadelphia Business Tax # and the Commercial Activity License #. Part B asks the applicant to verify that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current. Part C lists the limits and conditions of the license and ends with a declaration and signature.
The conditions printed in Part C include confirming that a Limited Lodging Operator License or a Rental License is valid for a property before acting as booking agent for it, removing a listing within 5 business days of notice from the City, submitting quarterly reports of all listings to the Department, and complying with The Philadelphia Code.
L&I publishes this form beside other limited lodging applications, such as the limited lodging operator license application, and beside the Rental License materials. This form is the one for booking agents; it is not the operator or rental license application. L&I also publishes a Limited Lodging Hotels Booking Agent information sheet on submitting the transaction history report.
Who needs to file L_037_F?
The main group is any person or entity that wants to act as a booking agent, in exchange for compensation, for limited lodging, hotel or similar short-term rental use in Philadelphia. The form states that no one may do so without a valid Limited Lodging and Hotels Booking Agent license.
- Applicants for a NEW license use this form. The form says it is for a new license; it does not describe a renewal.
- An applicant who uses a different agent can enter the agent's name, address, email and phone in Part A, in the lines marked "if different from applicant".
- The applicant must be able to verify in Part B that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current.
Do not use this form to license a property itself. A booking agent must confirm that a Limited Lodging Operator License or a Rental License is valid for each property listed, and those licenses are applied for separately on L&I's own applications.
When to file L_037_F
File Form L_037_F before you begin acting as a booking agent for compensation, because the form states that no person or entity may act in that role without a valid Limited Lodging and Hotels Booking Agent license. It is the application for a NEW license, so it is submitted when you first apply.
No separate deadline, validity period or renewal cycle is printed on the form. After you are licensed, the conditions in Part C set recurring duties: submit quarterly reports of all listings to the Department, and remove a listing and confirm the removal within 5 business days after the City notifies you that the required license for that property is not in place or eligible.
How to fill out L_037_F
Enter the applicant information
In Part A, write the applicant name, address, email and phone number.
Add agent details if different
If your agent differs from the applicant, enter the agent name, address, email and phone number in the lines marked "if different from applicant". Leave them blank if the agent is the applicant.
Enter your tax and license numbers
In the license information section of Part A, enter your Philadelphia Business Tax # and your Commercial Activity License #.
Verify taxes in Part B
Check Yes only if all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current.
Read the limits and conditions
Part C lists the license conditions: a valid operator or rental license for each property, removal of listings within 5 business days of notice, quarterly reports of all listings and compliance with The Philadelphia Code.
Sign and date the declaration
Sign on the Owner's / Operator's Signature line and enter the date. By signing you certify the statements are true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and take it to L&I as described under How to submit.
How to submit L_037_F
The only channel the form names is in-person submission. The top of the form reads "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and states that it must be submitted in person. The L&I page for real estate and property business license materials repeats that business license applications are not to be mailed to L&I.
- In person: bring the completed and signed application to L&I. The form itself prints no address, hours or appointment rule, so check the L&I page at https://www.phila.gov/documents/real-estate-and-property-business-license-materials/ before you go.
- Not by mail: do not send the application to L&I through the postal service.
Before submitting, confirm that the signature and date are completed and that the Philadelphia Business Tax # and Commercial Activity License # are entered. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the in-person channel described above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application to L&I; the form is marked "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and must be submitted in person.
- Using this form for something other than a NEW Limited Lodging and Hotels Booking Agent License.
- Leaving the Philadelphia Business Tax # or Commercial Activity License # blank in the license information section of Part A.
- Verifying in Part B that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current when they are not.
- Acting as a booking agent for a property without first confirming that a Limited Lodging Operator License or a Rental License is valid for it.
- Keeping a listing online longer than 5 business days after the City notifies you that the property's required license is not in place or eligible.
- Not submitting the quarterly reports of all listings to the Department.
- Submitting the form without the signature and date; the declaration warns that a knowingly false statement can lead to revocation of licenses and other penalties.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Limited Lodging and Hotels Booking Agent License application?
Form L_037_F is the City of Philadelphia application for a NEW license to act as a booking agent for limited lodging, hotel or similar short-term rental use. It is issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) and has three parts: contact and license information, tax verification, and limits and conditions with a signed declaration.
Do I need a booking agent license in Philadelphia?
Yes, if you act as a booking agent for compensation for limited lodging, hotel or similar short-term rental use. The form states that no person or entity may do so without a valid Limited Lodging and Hotels Booking Agent license.
Can I mail the booking agent license application to L&I?
No. The form is marked "DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION" and says it must be submitted in person. L&I's page for real estate and property business license materials also says not to mail business license applications to L&I.
What numbers do I need to complete the application?
Part A asks for your Philadelphia Business Tax # and your Commercial Activity License #. Part B also asks you to verify that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current, so confirm that before you check Yes.
What must a booking agent do after getting the license?
Part C sets the conditions: confirm a valid Limited Lodging Operator License or Rental License before acting for a property, remove a listing within 5 business days of City notice that the license is missing or ineligible, submit quarterly reports of all listings, and follow The Philadelphia Code.
Is this form for renewing a booking agent license?
The form says to use it for a NEW Limited Lodging and Hotels Booking Agent License. It prints no renewal instructions, so check L&I's page for real estate and property business license materials for anything else.
Can I fill out the booking agent license application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, is not affiliated with the City of Philadelphia and does not submit the application; you deliver it to L&I in person.
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