Protecting Public Health, Safety, and Welfare in Upper Darby Township

The Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I) protects the health, safety, and welfare of all who live, work, visit, worship, learn, and invest in Upper Darby Township.

The Department ensures that buildings are constructed safely, properties are properly maintained, and businesses operate in compliance with applicable Township and State regulations. Through licensing, permitting, inspections, and enforcement activities, L&I works to maintain safe neighborhoods, protect property values, and support responsible development throughout the Township.

Our staff works closely with property owners, business owners, contractors, landlords, realtors, residents, and community members to ensure that regulations are applied fairly, consistently, and professionally.

Department Mission

The mission of the Department of Licenses & Inspections is to serve the property owners, business owners, and residents of Upper Darby Township by ensuring compliance with all State and Township codes through providing:

• Professional public contact
• Education regarding codes and ordinances
• Building cooperative partnerships throughout our community
• Enforcement of the law in a fair, consistent, and impartial manner

Vision

Our vision is to create a positive image of Licenses & Inspections within our community and among our allied Township departments by fostering a culture that is helpful, approachable, knowledgeable, and guided by the highest standards of integrity.

Core Values

The Department of Licenses & Inspections operates according to several guiding principles that shape how we serve the public and carry out our responsibilities.

• Accountability
  • We take ownership of our responsibilities and actions, maintain transparency in decision-making, and ensure that departmental operations are conducted responsibly and in the best interest of the public.
• Customer-Focused Service
  • We are committed to providing respectful, timely, and accurate service to property owners, business owners, contractors, landlords, realtors, and residents regardless of circumstance or background.
• Efficiency
  • We work to eliminate unnecessary delays, streamline procedures, and optimize resources in order to deliver services in a timely and cost-effective manner while maintaining full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Integrity
  • We uphold the highest ethical standards in all interactions. We avoid conflicts of interest, favoritism, and impropriety, and ensure that our work consistently serves the public interest.
• Professional Culture
  • We represent the Township with professionalism in conduct, communication, and appearance, demonstrating pride, dignity, and respect in the work we perform and in our interactions with the public and our colleagues.
• Results-Driven Operations
  • We measure performance, establish clear objectives, and adapt to evolving challenges in order to achieve meaningful outcomes that improve the quality of life within our community.
• Collaboration and Continuous Improvement
  • We value teamwork, partnerships, and open communication while continuously evaluating and refining our practices to better serve the Township and its residents.

Strategic Department Goals

The Department works toward several strategic objectives that guide daily operations and long-term planning.

• Promote Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
  • Enforce Township and State codes with consistency, fairness, and professionalism to protect the lives and property of all who live, work, and invest in Upper Darby Township.
• Enhance Quality of Life in Our Neighborhoods
  • Address property maintenance violations, eliminate blight, and mitigate unsafe conditions while supporting responsible development and long-term neighborhood stability.
• Protect Community Investments
  • Preserve the Township’s residential, commercial, and public infrastructure by enforcing property standards, maintaining safe building conditions, and promoting responsible property ownership.
• Educate the Public
  • Increase awareness of Township regulations through outreach, transparency, and clear communication that encourages voluntary compliance and strengthens public trust.
• Streamline Operations and Remove Barriers
  • Modernize processes and administrative systems to eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that licensing, permitting, and and inspection services are fair, timely, and accessible.
• Deliver Exceptional Service
  • Provide professional, responsive, and accurate customer service through all channels of communication, including phone, email, in-person interactions, and online services.
• Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement
  • Commit to ongoing staff training, performance evaluation, internal review, and interdepartmental collaboration in order to strengthen operations and prepare the Department for future accreditation initiatives.

Department Divisions

The Department of Licenses & Inspections provides services through five primary divisions that work collaboratively to ensure consistent enforcement of Township and State regulations.

• Buildings

  • The Buildings Division administers and enforces the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC). This division reviews construction plans, issues permits, and performs inspections to ensure that construction projects comply with applicable building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire, and energy codes.

    • Building permits are required when an owner or authorized agent intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to install or modify regulated building systems.

• Code Enforcement

  • The Code Enforcement Division administers and enforces Township ordinances governing property maintenance and community quality-of-life standards.

    • This division enforces regulations related to property maintenance, sanitation, graffiti, littering, weeds and vegetation, snow and ice removal, nuisances, and other conditions that affect neighborhood safety, appearance, and overall community well-being. Through these efforts, the division works to eliminate unsafe conditions and promote stable, well-maintained neighborhoods.

• Housing

  • The Housing Division administers the Township’s rental property licensing and inspection program.

    • Rental properties must be licensed and inspected regularly to ensure that housing conditions meet minimum safety and habitability standards. The division works to eliminate substandard housing conditions, prevent overcrowding, and promote safe and well-maintained rental housing throughout the Township.

• Use & Occupancy (Property Transfers and Business Occupancy)

  • The Use & Occupancy Division administers inspections required when properties change ownership, tenancy, or occupancy.

    • These inspections ensure that residential and commercial properties meet minimum safety and code compliance standards prior to new occupancy, helping protect homebuyers, tenants, and business owners.

• Animal Control

  • The Animal Control Division enforces Township regulations governing domestic and feral animals.

    • Responsibilities include responding to animal complaints, investigating animal bites and rabies exposures, enforcing local animal regulations, coordinating animal cruelty referrals with appropriate agencies, and promoting responsible pet ownership through education and enforcement.

Legal and Regulatory Responsibilities

The Department of Licenses & Inspections administers and enforces numerous provisions of the Upper Darby Township Code as adopted by Township Council, as well as applicable State laws and regulations.

Major Township Code chapters administered or enforced by the Department — including provisions implemented in coordination with or in support of other Township departments — include:

• Chapter 222 – Animals
• Chapter 235 – Blight Reclamation
• Chapter 243 – Unfit Buildings
• Chapter 247 – Business & Commercial Activities
• Chapter 262 – Uniform Construction Code
• Chapter 265 – Contractors
• Chapter 276 – Dumpsters & Containers
• Chapter 287 – Farmers Markets
• Chapter 290 – Fees
• Chapter 302 – Fire Code
• Chapter 305 – Floodplain Management
• Chapter 321 – Graffiti
• Chapter 328 – Health & Sanitation
• Chapter 346 – Junk Collectors
• Chapter 358 – Littering
• Chapter 373 – Noise
• Chapter 376 – Nuisances
• Chapter 393 – Parking Lots
• Chapter 405 – Peddling & Soliciting
• Chapter 417 – Property Maintenance
• Chapter 419 – Vacant Properties
• Chapter 447 – Sales
• Chapter 454 – Sewers and Sewage Disposal
• Chapter 461 – Solid Waste
• Chapter 465 – Stormwater Management
• Chapter 472 – Streets & Sidewalks
• Chapter 475 – Subdivision & Land Development
• Chapter 489 – Taxation
• Chapter 497 – Trailers
• Chapter 506 – Trees & Plants
• Chapter 550 – Zoning

The Department also administers the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) pursuant to the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act and enforces the construction safety standards adopted by the Commonwealth, including the family of model codes developed by the International Code Council.

Additional information regarding Township codes and applicable regulations is available through the Township Code at: https://ecode360.com/UP3641

Customer Service Commitment

The Department of Licenses & Inspections is committed to providing responsive, professional service to all stakeholders.

We strive to ensure that every property owner, business owner, contractor, and resident receives accurate information, timely assistance, and respectful communication.

Our goal is to maintain a professional image at all times while delivering clear, courteous, and efficient service through phone, email, in-person interactions, and online services.

Contact Information

Upper Darby Township
Department of Licenses & Inspections

100 Garrett Road
Upper Darby, PA 19082

Phone: 610-734-7613

For faster service, please direct your inquiry to the appropriate division below.

• Building Permits, Contractor Licensing, and General L&I Inquiries: LI@UpperDarby.org
• Rental Property Licensing and Inspections: Rentals@UpperDarby.org
• Use & Occupancy Inspections (Property Transfers and Business Occupancy): UO@UpperDarby.org
• Animal Control: AnimalControl@UpperDarby.org

To submit a building, housing, or property maintenance concern to Licenses & Inspections, please send an email to the Township One Center at One@UpperDarby.org or call the One Center Request Line at 610-734-7625.