OWNED & OPERATED BY CONSOLE MATISON LLP

License To Dream

Zoning In On Your Success One Permit At A Time

Philadelphia Zoning provides professional permit expediting, zoning consulting & project management services to the investor, developer, design professional, homeowner, and business owner.

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Console Matison, LLP represents individuals and businesses in real estate, family law, probate, and business development.

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Joseph J Console

Partner
Console Matison LLP
Philadelphia Zoning

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Scott A Matison

Partner
Console Matison LLP
Philadelphia Zoning

What We Do For Our Clients

Whether for a new business, dream home, investment property, or new development, you can trust that your project is receiving the attention it requires to remain on-track.

We provide services for our client to help obtain:

-Rental Licenses

-Short Term Rental Licenses

-Commercial Activity Licenses

-Business Licenses

 

We understand the inner-workings of permitting procedures and are effective advocates for our clients when dealing with City departments. We lead the charge for getting your permits through the City’s red tape, procedures, and complex requirements.

Permitting in the City of Philadelphia is a complex and constantly changing series of codes and laws. Our law firm will assess your project to provide feasibility reports which allow you to make informed decisions when faced with a myriad of potential options.

Our Services

Rental Licenses
& Short Term Rental Licenses

We can help obtain your rental license and all of the associated approvals and compliance needs.

Commercial Activity & Business Licenses

Let us help you through the process of obtaining a commercial activity license or business license.

Zoning & Use Permits

Our expert zoning attorneys are here to help our clients navigate the Philadelhia zoning code and use permit process.

Building Permits

We provide you with fast and efficient building permit coordination that gives you clarity and confidence in your project.

Zoning Variances

Zoning variances and appeals are very complex. Philadelphia Zoning can guide you through with our years of experience.

Permit Expediting

Our team can apply for and obtain your permits and licenses, and also be a liaison between all of the parties involved.

Proven Results by Experienced Real Estate Attorneys

Console Matison, LLP represents individuals and businesses in real estate, family law, probate, and business development.

For Further Inquiries Call

(267) 996-6464

Check Out Our Google Reviews!

Melissa Maw profile pictureMelissa Maw
13:29 27 Mar 25
Worked with Ada on getting our hotel license approved. She was extremely efficient, the turnaround was quicker than expected. Look forward to working with her again on our future projects.
Heather Exley profile pictureHeather Exley
20:54 25 Feb 25
The attorneys and their staff at Console and Madison helped us navigate the city to ultimately receive our short-term licenses.
They were professional, efficient and unflappable. I would retain their services again!
dean mclean profile picturedean mclean
14:59 29 Oct 24
I recently bought a 2 family house and encountered a zoning issue when trying to renew rental license. Turns out previous owner only had active rental license for 1 unit instead of 2 units. Because it’s been more than 3 years that an active rental license was issued for both units, the property essentially reverted back to a single family. Spoke with multiple zoning lawyers and they all suggested to do a zoning variance which was very time consuming and expensive. After speaking with Kyle he suggested multiple solutions in order to try and avoid the variance. He told me it was no guarantee that they would work but if all his efforts failed we would do the variance. Kyle was able to go to the rental office and explain to them the error that the previous owner made when applying for the rental license. I was able to get the rental license issued for both units with a notarized document of continuous use. After trying for months to get this issue rectified, Kyle was able to get this done within 2 weeks. I greatly appreciate the work Kyle has done. He saved me thousands and he is very responsive and helpful.
Natalie Lundy profile pictureNatalie Lundy
15:13 08 Aug 24
Kyle helped me every step of the way. I literally trusted the company with all my business concerns, and they delivered exceptionally!! Great prices and communication was A-1
Danielle profile pictureDanielle
18:56 08 May 24
We were extremely happy with the real estate services from Console Matison. Also a special thank you to Kyle for exceeding our expectations while working with the City of Phila.
Gregory Chernock profile pictureGregory Chernock
16:05 17 Apr 24
Kyle was extremely helpful and promptly answered all of my questions. I would strongly recommend their services for anyone trying to navigate the difficulties of acquiring a Philadelphia property rental license.
Carolyn Reed profile pictureCarolyn Reed
15:30 25 Jan 24
Kyle was a huge help in getting set up to manage a rental in Philadelphia. Streamlined process and clear guidance all along the way. Certainly recommend!
J Solomon profile pictureJ Solomon
13:20 05 Jan 24
Scott from Console Matison was efficient and professional my most sincere thanks for representing me.
Josh Vichare profile pictureJosh Vichare
16:15 07 Nov 23
Kyle was so helpful and so quick with getting our rental license. We were confused for weeks after the licensing and permit building sent us to different departments each and every time we came with full paperwork, but no one would explain what exactly was needed. Through Philadelphia Zoning, we were able to get our license by the end of the week and we were in close communication the whole time!
Surbhi Joshi profile pictureSurbhi Joshi
16:17 02 Oct 23
I was having trouble acquiring my rental license. With the help of Kyle, he was able to get everything squared away in a few weeks. He was very helpful and answered all my questions along the way. I highly recommend using his services!
Tara Lynn Baeza profile pictureTara Lynn Baeza
00:04 28 Apr 18
When I started thinking about opening my cosmetic tattoo studio I looked into zoning and it literally made my head spin. Upon researching options I stumbled upon Philadelphia zoning and read their success stories with helping business as well as other tattoo studios. I knew I had to speak to them. After speaking to Alexa about to process and how they would handle basically A-Z I trusted her and her company with all of my zoning needs. From the moment I hired them for the job to the day I got my zoning permits took under 4 months which is really quick! Opening a business is tough and theres a lot of moving parts. Hiring them to do my zoning for me was definitely one of the best decisions and I highly recommend them to anyone opening up their own business or new development. Thank you Philadelphia zoning!

Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Philadelphia’s Zoning Code details what and where you can build and operate in the City. Any construction, renovation, addition, structure, new business, or even renting your own home requires a Zoning and/or Use Permit.

In most cases, you have to submit an application to the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) for a formal review. Permits also often require the approval from an assortment of other City organizations such as the Historical Commission, Art Commission, a Registered Community Organization, Streets Department, and City Planning Commission.

Philadelphia Zoning can file for all of the required Zoning and Use Permits for you. We also acquire the necessary pre-requisite approvals from any City offices that your project needs.

Our firm offers a comprehensive range of services including:

Zoning and Use Permits
Sign Permits
Change of Use of Existing Property
Building Permits
Additions and Demolitions
New Construction
Rental Licenses
Rental Licenses for Year to Year Leases
Short-Term Rental Licenses
Business Licenses
Philadelphia Tax Accounts
Commercial Activity Licenses
Zoning Variances and Zoning Appeals

We represent clients whose permits have been denied and need to file for a variance or appeal with the City of Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs and in New Jersey
Trade permit applications (e.g., contractor, electrical, plumbing, HVAC)

No, we are not a government department. Philadelphia Zoning is managed by Console Matison LLP, a law firm specializing in real estate and zoning needs in Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania and New Jersey suburbs.

To determine the zoning of your property, you can:

    • Use the City of Philadelphia's online zoning map and resources.
    • Contact us for a professional zoning consultation. We will review your property’s details and provide you with zoning information and advice on how your property can be used.

Our fees vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project. We offer:

  • Flat-rate fees for standard services such as zoning verifications and permit applications.
  • Hourly rates for consulting.
  • Customized quotes for comprehensive project packages.

Please contact us for a detailed estimate tailored to your specific needs.

The duration of a project depends on several factors including the type and scale of the project, the complexity of the permitting process, and any specific requirements.

Generally, simple zoning and permit applications can take one to four weeks to obtain approval. Larger development projects may take several months.

We strive to provide realistic timelines and keep you informed throughout the process.

Video Series: Zoning In The City of Philadelphia

Check Out Our Blog

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Philadelphia’s real estate market just received a major wake-up call. A newly released report from the Reinvestment Fund—Corporate Investors in Single-Family Homes in Philadelphia (October 2025)—confirms what many in the industry have suspected for years: corporate investors now play an outsized role in the…

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