Nutter, L&I warn businesses to renew lapsed licenses or face penalties

Mayor Michael Nutter and L&I Commissioner Fran Burns have a message for city businesses operating with a lapsed license: Renew within 45 days, or face fines and penalties.

Earlier this month, L&I began contacting the holders of licenses issued since 1995 but never renewed.
L&I will inspect the businesses of individuals who do not voluntarily come into compliance. If they are found to be operating without a license, individuals must purchase a new license including interest and penalties or have their business ceased.

“Our Administration has made tremendous gains making Philadelphia more business-friendly and streamlining processes for business owners. We’re doing our part, and we expect business owners to be responsible and keep their licenses current,” said Nutter in a press statement. “We are issuing these notices to businesses to alert them to upcoming delinquencies so they can fulfill their obligations to the taxpayers and to the city.”

Burns said in the same release: “For the last three years, L&I has focused on improving services for business, decreasing the wait time in the Concourse from 90 minutes to less than 15, speeding up the plan review process and building inspections, and consolidating the number of licenses from more than 130 to 38. Now businesses need to do their part to be good citizens and renew their licenses.”  

Over the next year, all delinquent license holders will be contacted and instructed to renew their licenses. Those who are engaging in unlicensed activity must begin the process of returning to compliance or face penalties and interest beginning May 31st. The first 1,600 holders of lapsed licenses for Special Assembly Occupancy, Curb Markets, Hand Bills, Scales and Scanners, and Honor Boxes have received letters warning that they are not in compliance.

Contact the reporter at kgates@planphilly.com

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