Michelle Yang

Licenses are required for individuals and businesses to engage in select commercial activities in the City of Philadelphia. For example, vendors and restaurants require a license in order to sell goods and food and trades-people, such as plumbers and contractors, require a license in order to practice their trade. The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) is responsible for issuing trade and business licenses to such activities.

Any person or legal entity that does business in Philadelphia needs a Commercial Activity License, including businesses that are located outside the city limits that do business in the city. This license links all of the businesses and the legal entity registered for the Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT). An Activity License Number is needed for certain kinds of non-commercial activity in Philadelphia, including renting up to three units in a building, operating a non-profit, getting a vacant property license (residential or commercial). A Contractor License is required for any business doing work that involves construction, demolition, or repair and does not require a specialized company license. Some work requires a specialized license, including complete demolition, electrical, fire suppression, and plumbing.

This dataset includes current and previously licensed businesses and trades. The information includes license number, applicant business and legal entity name, license application type, property for which the license would be issued, application date, issue date, and expiration date.

Mayor Michael Nutter signed Executive Order 1-12 in April of 2012 to establish a formal open data policy for the City of Philadelphia. The City's Open Government Plan outline specific objectives to incorporate the principles of open government into City operations and daily activities, and detail the specific steps that will be taken to realize the vision for open and transparent government. This plan will also set out a series of objectives for City departments, to provide clear guidance on what the City hopes to achieve through its open government program and the specific issues that will be addressed to enable them to more efficiently share information with outside users.