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Commercial Activity License (CAL): Philadelphia restaurant guide

Philadelphia L&I

What it is

The basic license to do business in Philadelphia; every other L&I license (food, SAOL, sidewalk café, dumpster) requires it.

When a restaurant needs it

After you have a Philadelphia Tax ID, before any other city license.

How to apply

Apply in eCLIPSE — it is issued automatically — or in person at the Permit and License Center.

Documents you’ll need

Philadelphia Tax ID (BIRT account)
EIN or SSN
Legal entity and DBA names exactly as on the tax account

Fee

There is no cost for a Commercial Activity License

Processing time

Issued automatically online / while you wait

Renewal

Does not need to be renewed

Who files

Owner or an authorized agent.

Good to know

Names on the CAL, the PDPH License Eligibility Report and the food license must match exactly — mismatches are the #1 cause of food-license kickbacks.

Official source

Philadelphia — Get a Commercial Activity License

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.