In order to register the use of a building, space, unit, structure, parcel, etc., this means applying for and obtaining a Use Registration Permit. Often this is also referred to as a Zoning Permit. In Philadelphia, the application for the permit is called a “Zoning/Use Application”.

Every business operation (including property rentals), parcel of land, or structure must have its use registered with the City of Philadelphia.  In order to register the use of a building, space, unit, structure, parcel, etc., this means applying for and obtaining a Use Registration Permit. Often this is also referred to as a Zoning Permit. In Philly, the application for the permit is called a “Zoning/Use Application”. Same piece of paper and process; two commingling terms. Do not get yourself too bogged down in the terminology: Just know that you need a permit for the use of the operation.

The use and the zoning can be registered together or at different times. For example: If someone is building a structure with a commercial space on the ground floor, but there is no tenant in there yet, the use registration on the permit would identify that the commercial space is ‘vacant’.  For the sake of this guide, we are going to walk you through the process of registering a by-right use in an existing space. Another example of this would be if you have a CMX-2 property (that already has a Certificate of Occupancy) and you want to register the two residential units on top of your commercial space.