PWD Prerequisite Approvals for L&I Permits
PWD is a prerequisite for numerous approvals issued by Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. The timelines presented here are specific to the PWD prerequisite, not the entirety of the permitting process. More information on L&I permits →
Prerequisites for Zoning Permits
Stormwater Management Review
Average Time for Approval:
8 weeks for Conceptual Stormwater Management Plan Approval*
* Most projects undergo multiple rounds of review before they are approved. Please visit the Plan Review Status page for a real-time estimate of current review times.
Required for:
- Any project proposing earth disturbance that totals 5,000 square feet or more.
- Some smaller projects may trigger this review if they require stormwater management in accordance with the Wissahickon Watershed Overlay District or propose a green roof for additional density as specified in §14-510 and §14-702 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code, respectively.
Further guidance:
Prerequisites for Building Permits
Utility Plan Review
Average Time for Approval:
8 weeks*
* Most projects undergo multiple rounds of review before they are approved. Please visit the Plan Review Status page for a real-time estimate of current review times. More complex projects— including projects requiring private cost review, large or complex water/sewer connections, surface or subsurface ROW encroachments, projects whose Water Service Line Model requires a flow test—may require additional review time.
Required for:
- All building permits
Further guidance:
Private Cost Review
Average Time for Approval:
8 weeks to 6 months*
* The average turnaround time for reviews is approximately 2 weeks, but most projects undergo multiple rounds of review before they are approved. Typical approval time range depends on the project complexity, assuming the consultant returns PWD comments promptly. It also relies on the consultant’s familiarity with PWD design guidelines and regulations, proficiency in drafting knowledge, and overall quality of plan submission.
Required for:
- Projects that involve relocating, abandoning, or constructing new PWD infrastructure. This includes, but is not limited to, new public water main and sewer extensions and relocating existing fire hydrants or inlets.
- Projects that propose to construct new Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) or modify existing GSI within public rights-of-way.
- Any development project with a scope of work impacting PWD infrastructure. Impacts can range from relocating a fire hydrant, to reconstructing public water and sewer systems, to accommodate other elements of the project’s scope. May include, but is not limited to, a replacement, modification, relocation, abandonment, extension of or impact to existing PWD Infrastructure, or proposal of new PWD infrastructure.
Further guidance:
Flow Test (required for Water Service Line Model)
Average Time to receive test results:
2 weeks
Required for:
- Projects that require a domestic or fire sprinkler system when there is no current flow data available at the project location. Current flow test data must be included in the Water Service Line Model submitted with the Utility Plan Review Submission and Fire Suppression Permit application.
Further guidance:
Stormwater Management Review
Average Time for Approval:
10-11 months for Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP) Approval*
* Please visit the Plan Review Status page for a real-time estimate of current review times. Most projects undergo multiple rounds of review before they are approved. Average PCSMP review time is representative from date of the initial ERSA Submission (Zoning Permit and PCSMP submission pre-requisite) to PCSMP Approval. Average review time from the first PCSMP submission to PCSMP Approval is 6 months. For Projects that are eligible for PCSMP Exemption (less than 15,000 SF of earth disturbance in most watersheds), PCSMP Review is not required, and the Conceptual Approval obtained as a zoning permit pre-requisite will be applied to the building permit with no additional review.
Required for:
- Any project proposing earth disturbance that totals 5,000 square feet or more.
- Some smaller projects may trigger this review if they require stormwater management in accordance with the Wissahickon Watershed Overlay District or propose a green roof for additional density as specified in §14-510 and §14-702 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code, respectively.
Further guidance:
Sewage Facilities Planning (Act 537)
Average Time for Approval:
2 weeks*
* Projects that require approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP)—such as those requiring a full planning module or that involve on-lot disposal systems—should anticipate a several-month review time.
Required for:
- All building permits
Further guidance:
Prerequisites for Demolition Permits
Stormwater Management Review
Average Time for Approval:
8 weeks for Conceptual Stormwater Management Plan Approval*
* Most projects undergo multiple rounds of review before they are approved. Please visit the Plan Review Status page for a real-time estimate of current review times. Projects that had their demolition plans reviewed with their Post Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP) submission do not need to make separate conceptual or PCSMP submissions for demolition review.
Required for:
- Any demolition proposing earth disturbance that totals 5,000 square feet or more.
Further guidance:
Water Discontinuance Permit
Average Time for Approval:
1 business day
Required for:
- Any complete Demolition Permit, where there is existing water service.
Further guidance:
Prerequisites for Site/Utility Permits and Foundation-Only Building Permits
Utility Plan Review
Average Time for Approval:
8 weeks*
* Please visit the Plan Review Status page for a real-time estimate of current review times. Most projects undergo multiple rounds of review before they are approved. More complex projects—including projects requiring private cost review, large or complex water/sewer connections, surface, or subsurface ROW encroachments, projects whose Water Service Line Model requires a flow test—may require additional review time.
Required for:
- Projects where site permit work includes a foundation activity.
Further guidance:
Private Cost Review
Average Time for Approval:
8 weeks to 6 months*
* The average turnaround time for reviews is approximately 2 weeks, but most projects undergo multiple rounds of review before they are approved. Typical approval time range depends on the project complexity, assuming the consultant returns PWD comments promptly. It also relies on the consultant’s familiarity with PWD design guidelines and regulations, proficiency in drafting knowledge, and overall quality of plan submission.
Required for:
- Projects that involve relocating, abandoning, or constructing new PWD infrastructure. This includes, but is not limited to, new public water main and sewer extensions and relocating existing fire hydrants or inlets.
- Projects that propose to construct new Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) or modify existing GSI within public rights-of-way.
- Any development project with a scope of work impacting PWD infrastructure. Impacts can range from relocating a fire hydrant, to reconstructing public water and sewer systems, to accommodate other elements of the project’s scope. May include, but is not limited to, a replacement, modification, relocation, abandonment, extension of or impact to existing PWD Infrastructure, or proposal of new PWD infrastructure.
Further guidance:
Flow Test (required for Water Service Line Model)
Average Time to receive test results:
2 weeks
Required for:
- Projects that require a domestic or fire sprinkler system when there is no current flow data available at the project location. Current flow test data must be included in the Water Service Line Model submitted with the Utility Plan Review Submission and Fire Suppression Permit application.
Further guidance:
Stormwater Management Review
Average Time for Approval:
6 months for Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan (PCSMP) Approval*
* Most projects undergo multiple rounds of review before they are approved. Please visit the Plan Review Status page for a real-time estimate of current review times.
Required for:
- Any project proposing earth disturbance that totals 5,000 square feet or more.
- Some smaller projects may trigger this review if they require stormwater management in accordance with the Wissahickon Watershed Overlay District or propose a green roof for additional density as specified in §14-510 and §14-702 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code, respectively.
- Projects that are eligible for PCSMP Exemption (less than 15,000 SF of earth disturbance in most watersheds), PCSMP Review is not required, and the Conceptual Approval obtained as a zoning permit pre-requisite will be applied to the building permit with no additional review.
- For projects that are not exempt from PCSMP requirements (15,000 SF or more of earth disturbance in most watersheds) full PCSMP Approval is required. There are no exemptions for site permits.
Further guidance:
Prerequisites for Fire Suppression Systems Permits
Utility Plan Review
Average Time for Approval:
8 weeks*
* Most projects undergo multiple rounds of review before they are approved. Please visit the Plan Review Status page for a real-time estimate of current review times. More complex projects— including projects requiring private cost review, large or complex water/sewer connections, surface, or subsurface ROW encroachments, projects whose Water Service Line Model requires a flow test— may require additional review time.
Required for:
- Projects whose fire suppression system is proposed with new construction.
- Projects that do not involve new construction will still need to provide flow test data on their Fire Suppression Systems Permit Application.
Further guidance:
Private Cost Review
Average Time for Approval:
8 weeks to 6 months*
* The average turnaround time for reviews is approximately 2 weeks, but most projects undergo multiple rounds of review before they are approved. Typical approval time range depends on the project complexity, assuming the consultant returns PWD comments promptly. It also relies on the consultant’s familiarity with PWD design guidelines and regulations, proficiency in drafting knowledge, and overall quality of plan submission.
Required for:
- Projects that involve relocating, abandoning, or constructing new PWD infrastructure. This includes, but is not limited to, new public water main and sewer extensions and relocating existing fire hydrants or inlets.
- Projects that propose to construct new Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) or modify existing GSI within public rights-of-way.
- Any development project with a scope of work impacting PWD infrastructure. Impacts can range from relocating a fire hydrant, to reconstructing public water and sewer systems, to accommodate other elements of the project’s scope. May include, but is not limited to, a replacement, modification, relocation, abandonment, extension of or impact to existing PWD Infrastructure, or proposal of new PWD infrastructure.
Further guidance:
Flow Test (required for Water Service Line Model)
Average Time to receive test results:
2 weeks
Required for:
- Projects that require a domestic or fire sprinkler system when there is no current flow data available at the project location. Current flow test data must be included in the Water Service Line Model submitted with the Utility Plan Review Submission and Fire Suppression Permit application.
Further guidance:
Water & Sewer Connection Permits
A Water Connection Permit is required to install or replace water services from PWD infrastructure to the property. A Sewer Connection Permit is required to install or replace private sewer laterals.
See more information and a breakdown of timelines for individual steps →
Sewer Connection Permits
Step 1: Utility Plan Submittal Review by UPR Group – 8 weeks
Step 2: Applicant applies for pre-permit(s) through Water Transport Records – 1-2 days
Step 3: PWD Permit Unit converts Pre-Permit to sewer connection permit – 2 weeks
(Applicant must contact PWD Permit Unit to initiate this process. Permit request at least one day in advance of appointment; flow test data could take around 10 days)
Step 4: PWD Permit Unit supervisor emails copy of invoice(s) to bring to appointment – 1 day
Step 5: Applicant schedules appointment with the Revenue Permit Unit – 1 week
Step 6: Applicant picks up permits – 1 week
Step 7: Applicant schedules required lateral inspection – 2 days
Please anticipate approximately 13 weeks of permit lead time, though some steps may take longer based on staff availability, additional review, or applicant response time.
Water Connection Permits
Step 1: Utility Plan Submittal Review by Utility Plan Review – 8 weeks
Step 2: Applicant applies for pre-permit(s) through Water Transport Records – 1-2 days
Step 3: PWD Permit Unit converts Pre-Permit to water connection permit – 2 weeks
(Permit request at least one day in advance of appointment; flow test data could take around 10 days)
Step 4: PWD Permit Unit supervisor emails copy of invoice(s) to bring to appointment – 1 day
Step 5: Applicant schedules appointment with the Revenue Permit Unit – 1 week
Step 6: Applicant picks up permits – 1 week
Step 7 & 8: Applicant schedules required tap and PWD installs water installation – 5-7 business days for taps 2” or smaller (based on volume by District) or 10-12 weeks for taps 4” or greater, from the date of request for installation
Please anticipate approximately 3 months to 5 months permit lead time (dependent upon size of tap installation) though some steps may take longer based on staff availability, additional review, or applicant response time.
5 ways to shorten Review Timelines
- Respond completely to each review comment and include a response letter indicating how comments were addressed.
- Reduce time between plan resubmissions. When considering average amount of time to obtain an approval, the project spends most of the time with the applicant.
- Reduce time between stormwater review stages by submitting the PCSMP as soon as Conceptual Approval is obtained. The average time between Conceptual Approval and PCSMP submission is 3-months.
- Thoroughly review plans prior to submissions to reduce comments.
- Choose a green stormwater management design that qualifies for Expedited PCSMP Review. This will reduce PWD’s PCSMP review from 15 days per review to 5 days.
- Avoid common mistakes.