Form L_042_F, Application for a Handbill Distribution License, is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) form for a NEW Handbill Distribution License. It is for anyone who gives out advertising such as flyers or coupons, and it asks for your Philadelphia Business Tax # and Commercial Activity License #, so have your Philadelphia business license and tax account details ready. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and the city's handbill information are published by L&I at phila.gov.
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What is L_042_F?
Application for a Handbill Distribution License (Form L_042_F, Form AB) is the one-page City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) form used to apply for a NEW Handbill Distribution License, the license L&I requires to give out advertising such as flyers or coupons.
The form has three parts. Part A collects the applicant's name, address, email and phone number, plus the Philadelphia Business Tax # and the Commercial Activity License #. Part B, Supplemental Information, asks you to verify that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges, and fees are current. Part C, Limits and Conditions, lists the rules a licensee must follow, followed by a Declaration and Signature block with the applicant's signature and date.
The conditions in Part C bar false or misleading information on the registration or later changes, and any violation of City or Commonwealth law on forgery, fraudulent practices or misrepresentation. They also bar throwing, scattering or casting handbills in public space, leaving handbills on private property except by handing them to the occupant or placing them so the wind cannot scatter them, and placing handbills on a motor vehicle windshield or on property whose owner has told L&I they do not want such material.
The form is not a request by a resident to stop receiving advertising. L&I's page points residents to a separate circular-free property decal request form for that purpose.
Who needs to file L_042_F?
Anyone who wants to give out advertising, such as flyers or coupons, in Philadelphia needs a Handbill Distribution License from L&I, and this form is the application for a NEW license. The applicant (the future licensee) completes Part A with their own contact details and their license and tax account information.
You can only complete Part B if all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges, and fees are current, since the form asks you to verify that. Part C applies to every applicant and to any other distributor or person handling handbills: it sets the limits on where handbills may and may not be left.
Do not use this form to ask that advertisers stop leaving circulars or handbills at your property. L&I directs residents to a circular-free property decal request form for that. The form does not describe who may sign on behalf of an applicant; it has a single signature line for the applicant.
When to file L_042_F
Submit Form L_042_F when you need a Handbill Distribution License, that is, before you give out advertising such as flyers or coupons in Philadelphia. The form is for a NEW license, and the form itself prints no separate deadline or renewal date.
Before you apply, check that your City of Philadelphia taxes, charges, and fees are current, because Part B asks you to verify it. Have your Philadelphia Business Tax # and Commercial Activity License # at hand for Part A.
The form and L&I's handbill page give no processing time. For questions about timing, contact L&I through phila.gov.
How to fill out L_042_F
Confirm you need a new license
The form is for a NEW Handbill Distribution License. Read the heading and note that the application must be submitted in person and not mailed.
Enter the applicant's name
In Part A, write the Applicants Name for the person who will hold the license.
Enter address, email and phone
In Part A, give the Applicants Address, Applicants Email and Phone #. These are the contact details for the Licensee.
Enter your tax and license numbers
Still in Part A, enter your Philadelphia Business Tax # and your Commercial Activity License #.
Verify that taxes and fees are current
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 what you may not do, including giving false information, throwing or scattering handbills in public space, and placing handbills on windshields or on property where the owner has opted out. These are printed conditions; you do not enter anything in them.
Sign and date the declaration
In the Declaration and Signature block, the applicant signs on Applicant's Signature and enters the Date. The signature certifies that the statements are true and correct to the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that Part A is complete and the signature and date are present. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then submit it as described under How to submit.
How to submit L_042_F
The form says it must be submitted in person and is marked DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION. L&I's handbill information page names two ways to apply:
- In person: take the application to the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse.
- Online: L&I states you can apply for a Handbill Distribution License online; the application page is linked from the handbill information page at https://www.phila.gov/documents/handbill-distribution-information/.
Do not mail the application. The form and the agency page name no other channel, and neither gives a fee amount or a payment method; ask L&I through phila.gov if a fee applies to your application. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the L&I channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application; the form is marked DO NOT MAIL and must be submitted in person (L&I also lists an online application).
- Using this form for anything other than a NEW Handbill Distribution License; the form is titled for a new license.
- Leaving the Philadelphia Business Tax # or Commercial Activity License # blank in Part A when the form asks for your license and tax account information.
- Verifying in Part B that City of Philadelphia taxes, charges, and fees are current when they are not.
- Giving false or misleading information; the declaration says a knowingly false statement can lead to revocation of licenses and other penalties.
- Submitting the application without the applicant's signature and date in the Declaration and Signature block.
- Leaving handbills on a motor vehicle windshield or on property whose owner has told L&I they do not want such material, which Part C prohibits.
- Throwing, scattering or casting handbills in public space, or leaving them on private property in a way the wind can scatter them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Handbill Distribution License application?
Form L_042_F is the City of Philadelphia L&I application for a NEW Handbill Distribution License. L&I states you need this license to give out advertising such as flyers or coupons in Philadelphia.
Can I mail the Handbill Distribution License application?
No. The form is marked DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION and says it must be submitted in person. L&I's page says you can take it to the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse or apply online, and repeats not to mail applications.
Can I apply for a handbill license online?
Yes, according to L&I, which says you can apply for a Handbill Distribution License online or in person at the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse. The online application is reached from the L&I handbill information page on phila.gov.
What numbers do I need to fill out the handbill license application?
Part A asks for your Philadelphia Business Tax # and your Commercial Activity License #, along with your name, address, email and phone number. Part B also asks you to verify that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges, and fees are current.
Is this form used to stop flyers from being left at my home?
No. This form is for distributors who apply for a license. L&I says residents who do not want circulars, handbills or other advertising left on their property should complete a circular-free property decal request form instead.
Where may handbills not be left under the license conditions?
Part C bars throwing or scattering handbills in public space, and placing them on a motor vehicle windshield or on private property where the owner told L&I they do not want them. On private property, handbills may be handed to the occupant or placed so they cannot blow away.
Who signs the Handbill Distribution License application?
The applicant signs and dates the Declaration and Signature block. The signature certifies the statements are true and correct; a knowingly false statement can lead to revocation of licenses and other penalties prescribed by law or ordinance.
Can I fill out the Handbill Distribution License application on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the application with L&I; you submit it through the L&I channels.
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