Rental Licenses.
Philadelphia Code § 9-3902
in effect§ 9-3902. Rental Licenses.
{ Section 9-3902 - Delayed Amendment }
(1) Required.
(a) The owner of any dwelling unit, multiple family dwelling, rooming house, dormitory, hotel, one-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, or rooming unit let for occupancy must obtain a rental license. No person shall collect rent with respect to any property that is required to be licensed pursuant to this Section unless a valid rental license has been issued for the property. 1326
(b) Exceptions.
(.1) If a building contains multiple dwelling units, a single rental license may be obtained for the entire building, provided that such license shall specify each unit in such building governed by such license. 1327
(.2) A rental license is not required for any dwelling unit that is occupied by the owner or a member of the owner's family, provided that the Department may require the owner to submit an Affidavit of Non-Rental.
(.3) The holder of a housing inspection license under former Section PM-102.1 for 2015, or the owner of any dwelling or dwelling unit subject to the requirements of this Section that is part of a building governed by a housing inspection license applicable to such building in its entirety in 2015, need not obtain a rental license in order to let the property or any portion of such property for occupancy in 2015. 1328
(.4) A rental license shall not be required for use as limited lodging, as defined at subsection 14-604(13) of this Code, so long as the activity is licensed pursuant to Section 9-3909 of this Chapter ("Limited Lodging Operator License"). 1329
(c) License Application and Renewal Requirements. 1329.1
(.1) All applicants for any rental license, vacant property license, or commercial activity license related to property ownership shall provide a Physical Address for the service of notices, correspondence, and enforcement actions.
(.2) The use of a post office box, mail drop, Virtual Address, or non-verifiable address is prohibited.
(.3) The Department of Licenses and Inspections shall verify the accuracy of addresses provided under this Section in the regular course of its licensing, renewal, and enforcement activities.
(.4) Each property owner shall provide accurate and verifiable address information for each active license they hold within the City of Philadelphia.
(.5) If the property owner is a Non-Resident Landlord, such owner must also designate a Local Agent.
(.6) The owner is responsible for maintaining current contact information with the Department.
(.7) Where a Local Agent is required under this Chapter, the property owner shall provide a valid email address for the designated Local Agent for purposes of notices, correspondence, enforcement actions, and emergency communications. The Local Agent shall be responsible for ensuring that such email address is regularly monitored, and that the Department has a current and accurate email address.
(2) Suspension. In addition to the provisions for license suspension and revocation set forth in Subcode A of Title 4, a rental license may also be suspended for any violations of Section 6-803 ("Lead Disclosure Obligation"), subsection (3) ("Rental Protections").
Notes
Section 9-3902 - Delayed Amendment | This secton has been amended by Bill No. 250329-AA (approved May 7, 2026), effective November 1, 2026.
1326 | Amended, Bill No. 150441-A (approved June 18, 2015), effective July 1, 2015; amended, Bill No. 210081 (approved June 23, 2021), effective April 1, 2022.
1327 | Amended, Bill No. 150266 (approved June 16, 2015), effective July 1, 2015.
1328 | Added, Bill No. 150266 (approved June 16, 2015), effective July 1, 2015. Section 2 of Bill No. 150266 provides: "The holder of a housing inspection license for 2015 shall not be entitled to a refund of any fee paid in connection with such license in connection with a property, or portion of a property, with respect to which a rental license is not required in 2015 pursuant to Section 9-3902 of The Philadelphia Code as it shall go into in effect on July 1, 2015, pursuant to Bill No. 140892-A."
1329 | Amended, Bill No. 150441-A (approved June 18, 2015), effective July 1, 2015. Enrolled bill numbered this as subsection (iii); renumbered by Code editor. Amended, Bill No. 210081 (approved June 23, 2021), effective April 1, 2022.
1329.1 | Added, Bill No. 250980-A (approved April 7, 2026), effective July 6, 2026.
Source: City of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-280309Fetched: 10/27/2026