Philadelphia Kitchen Remodel Permit

What's Required in Philadelphia

• Building permit required for layout changes, wall removal, or structural repairs
• Plumbing permit required for moving sinks, gas lines, or new appliances
• Electrical permit required for all new wiring, circuits, and lighting
• Mechanical permit required for range hoods and exhaust systems
• Interior finish work (painting, papering, cabinets) does NOT require a permit
• Floor plan showing existing and proposed appliance and utility locations is required

Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Kitchen in Philadelphia?

It depends on what you're changing, not on the word “remodel.” Philadelphia lists kitchen remodels as permit-required work, and in practice the permit attaches to the plumbing, electrical, and structural scope — not to cosmetic swaps. Permit fees typically run $300–$800 (project-based), issued by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. A remodel that moves the sink, adds circuits, relocates the range, or opens a wall is firmly in permit territory — and often means separate trade permits rather than one ticket.

Kitchen Work That Usually Doesn't Need a Permit

The cosmetic layer is generally yours to change freely: swapping cabinets in the same footprint, new countertops, flooring, backsplash, paint, and replacing appliances that use existing hookups. The moment the project touches what's behind the finishes — supply lines, drains, gas, new circuits, walls, or venting — it stops being cosmetic in the city's eyes. If your remodel straddles the line, describe the full scope to the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections up front; retrofitting a permit onto half-finished work is the expensive path.

How to Get a Kitchen Remodel Permit in Philadelphia

Frequently Asked Questions