Identify the record covering this exact space, phase, activity and date. An individual tenant Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is issued only after the core-and-shell CO. If requirements are met, a conditional Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) may allow tenant occupancy while core-and-shell work continues. Staff-only pre-occupancy follows a separate inspector-request path with stated limits.
In a phased project, filing by date alone can hide scope differences. File each item under the area and activity it actually covers instead of treating the newest date as the answer for the whole property.
Match the question before interpreting a record
| Reader question | Match on the record | Write down if missing |
|---|---|---|
| Which space? | Building, floor, suite or bounded area | Exact location covered |
| Which phase? | Core/shell, tenant, temporary or later final stage | Controlling phase record |
| Which activity and date? | The use, limits and period stated | Responsive issued record or written decision |
Philadelphia’s current CO information sheet lists the staff-only conditions: all fire protection systems installed and ready for testing; staff-only access; no public access, revenue activity or model showing; orientation and life-safety arrangements that support safe use and evacuation; posted shutdown notices; and a request to the assigned inspector. Preserve the inspector’s response as evidence of what was decided; file it under its own title rather than as a standard certificate.
Build a five-part evidence match
For every item in the folder, write down:
- Space: building, floor, suite, common area or other bounded location.
- Phase: core and shell, tenant fit-out, temporary use, staff preparation or final occupancy.
- Activity: construction, testing, orientation, staff work, public access or the use named on the record.
- Date: issue date, stated period, inspection date or the date of the written decision.
- Authority: document title, permit number, certificate number and issuing office shown on the item.
This worksheet exposes gaps that a chronological list hides. Two papers dated a week apart may govern different suites. A later inspection may concern unfinished work outside the occupied area. A permit number may connect records without making their scopes identical.
The City’s temporary CO service sends the application through eCLIPSE, describes temporary use of part of a building and requires an approved building permit. L&I issues the TCO after the application and inspection process; the assigned inspector is the operational contact, while 311 handles general questions. eCLIPSE is the application route. Keep the issued record and its stated scope, rather than treating an application or inspection request as the certificate.
Diagnose a phased-file mismatch
Consider a fictional project file with four entries. Record A covers the lobby and base building. Record B covers Suite 400 for a limited period. Email C concerns staff orientation in Suite 500. Inspection D names exterior work.
Start with the reader’s question. If it concerns public use of Suite 500 on a particular date, each item covers a different space, activity or period, so none answers it alone.
Keep all four documents because each may explain the project sequence. Mark the missing object precisely: “issued occupancy record or written stage approval for Suite 500, public use, on the stated date.” If the reply supplies a document for another suite, record that mismatch instead of filing it as a substitute.
Philadelphia Atlas searches and the CO copy service
Atlas searches by address, intersection, OPA account or DOR Map Registry number. For TCO copies or coverage years, ask L&I.
Philadelphia’s CO copy service gives two CO routes. For 1969–2006 certificates, it points to the Atlas zoning file. For 2006 and later duplicate COs, it starts with confirming the building-permit number in Atlas and then checking the record or arranging the described L&I copy step when available. Those are CO routes; for a temporary certificate, ask L&I or the assigned inspector which route applies.
Use the Philadelphia CO scope guide when the file contains a permit with CO language but no issued certificate. Use the occupancy-evidence era guide when older evidence uses a different document type. Both still need the phase-and-space match described here.
Request the Philadelphia occupancy record for one space and date
Send a narrow description to the route that holds the missing record. Include the exact address, suite or area, building-permit number if known, document title, relevant date range and the activity being tested. State what you already have and the gap it leaves. Ask whether the responsive item is an issued certificate, a temporary certificate, an inspector’s written stage approval or another named occupancy record.
Log the response separately from your request. “Not found,” “different suite,” “outside the stated period” and “copy unavailable through this route” are different outcomes. Preserve the source, date checked and wording of the limitation so another researcher can repeat the correct step without mistaking silence for a final determination.
No single phase record proves final approval for every tenant space or completion of all work.
Philadelphia L&I certificate, temporary-certificate and copy-service pages checked October 8, 2026.