FAQs
Do residents need to comply with the quarantine order?
Yes. Residents show compliance by using a Compliance Checklist. The checklist can be signed once, kept in a personal vehicle, and used as a reference whenever needed.
Does my business need a permit?
Yes. An SLF permit is required for businesses, agencies, and organizations (agricultural and non‑agricultural) operating within the quarantine that move “regulated articles.” Under the Department of Agriculture SLF Quarantine Order, regulated articles include any living SLF life stage, products, vehicles, or other conveyances that may spread SLF. A permit is also required to move regulated articles into any part of Pennsylvania from areas in other states with established SLF populations.
Do I need to obtain a separate permit for each state with a Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) quarantine?
No. Several states have SLF populations and their own quarantines, but state officials have created reciprocal permit agreements. This means businesses generally do not need to complete multiple permit courses.
I own an out‑of‑state company but do business in the PA quarantine zone. Do I need a permit?
Yes. You must have a permit if you are conducting business in the Pennsylvania quarantine zone. A permit is also required to move regulated articles into PA from areas both outside and within SLF populations and/or quarantines.
My business is not agricultural. Do I still need a permit?
Yes. Any business conducting operations in the Pennsylvania quarantine zone is required to have a permit, even if it is not agricultural. A permit is also required to move regulated articles into PA from areas outside the state that have SLF populations and/or quarantines.
My business drives through the PA quarantine zone but does not stop. Do I need a permit?
Generally, no. If you do not originate from an SLF‑infested area, your load is covered or contained, and you do not stop in the PA quarantine area for business or for anything other than brief stops (such as fueling), a permit is not required.
Are school buses in the quarantine zone required to have a permit? What if they only enter the quarantine zone for field trips, sporting events, etc.?
School buses must have permits if they run routes with scheduled stops inside the quarantine zone, including for special events. A permit is not required if the bus travels from and back to areas free of SLF and makes no stops within the quarantine area.
Do Emergency Responders need permits?
Yes. Emergency organizations must obtain a permit, and personnel should be trained to conduct inspections in a way that does not interfere with emergency response. Safety and rapid response to calls remain the top priority, and no waivers are issued because SLF poses a serious threat to Pennsylvania.
Drivers should complete and log inspections when doing so does not delay or hinder emergency response. Inspections can be added to shift turnover or other daily checks. All non‑emergency travel (such as food runs, fueling, or maintenance) should follow normal SLF inspection requirements. During the day, drivers should maintain situational awareness and perform inspections or mitigation as needed—for example, during swarming—when it does not interfere with emergency calls.
If I only travel within one quarantined county, do I need a permit?
Yes. You are required to have a permit if you are conducting business within the Pennsylvania quarantine, even if you operate only in one quarantined county.
Do I need a permit if my business does not ship anything, but we receive goods from SLF areas via third‑party carriers?
Yes. You should obtain a permit and train employees about SLF, especially staff involved in receiving goods (such as warehouse or loading dock personnel). These employees should inspect for SLF when goods are received.
We manufacture goods within the quarantine and use motor freight carriers to distribute within and outside the quarantine. Do we need a permit?
Yes. You should obtain a permit and train employees about SLF, especially those who handle receiving and shipping (e.g., in warehouses or at loading docks). Staff should inspect for SLF when goods are received and again before shipping goods from the distribution center.
Inspect goods before loading them onto a third‑party carrier’s truck. Certify that your goods are free from SLF by using a permit certification label or a statement on shipping documents.
Email info@SLFPermits.us or call 717‑216‑0188 to request a permit certification label template.
Alternatively, you can include the following statement on shipping documents:
“The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture certifies these regulated articles have been approved for movement out of the SLF quarantine area. Business Name: (Your Business Name) Permit #: (20XXXXXXXXX).”
Do automotive dealerships located within the quarantine need to obtain a permit? Does each vehicle on the lot need a permit?
Yes. Dealerships located within the quarantine zone must obtain a permit. When registering for the permit course, the dealership should list the number of dealership‑owned vehicles (for example, maintenance or shuttle vehicles). Do not include vehicles that are for sale. As vehicles are sold, each one should be inspected before the new owner takes possession.
Who do I contact for permit program and compliance information?
Spotted Lanternfly program information is available online, and many questions can be answered by the information in the FAQs. If you have a question that is not covered there, email info@SLFPermits.us or call 717‑216‑0188 and leave a message. Your call will be returned by the person best able to answer your question.
Permits FAQs
Which types of vehicles need a permit?
All business vehicles regardless of size travelling within or from the quarantine need permits.
What types of permits are available?
Electronic and paper
Where on/in the vehicle is the permit required to be placed?
PDA issues electronic permits which are sent to the permit course participant's email. The permit may be distributed as a printed or electronic copy to the drivers or into the vehicles for which the permittee is responsible. Drivers need to show the assigned permit if stopped at a checkpoint.
How do I obtain additional or replacement permits?
Send requests to info@slfpermits.us.
I completed permit training. How do I get the permits for my vehicles?
If I own more than one business, do I need to complete the permit course multiple times?
Complete the course for one company. Email info@slfpermits.us with the date of permit course completion, additional business names, mailing addresses and number of vehicles associated with each. Additional registrations will be created, and a permit issued for each business.
Permit Renewal FAQs
Is there a renewal requirement?
Permits are not being renewed at this time. Permits do not have an expiration date and are valid until the permit holder receives a renewal notification. This timeframe may exceed one year.
Is there a re-training requirement?
Annual certification of supervisors, employees, drivers and other essential front line staff is mandatory to stay on top of updates to quarantine zones and new practices for remediation by the Spotted Lanternfly Commission.
How do I update business or permit holder information?
If the information on your registration is incorrect, outdated, or you did not receive a permit, please contact Info@slfpermits.us or call 717‑216‑0188. Your registration will be updated, and a new permit issued.
Permits may not be transferred. If another person is taking over SLF compliance responsibilities from the original permit holder, that new person must complete an SLF permit course.
Recordkeeping & Inspections FAQs
What are the recordkeeping requirements?
Recordkeeping of training, shipping records, and inspection of vehicles with control measures taken if SLF is found (such as vehicle washes, destruction of living lanternfly, etc.) must be maintained for a minimum of two years. Electronic records are acceptable if you can make them available during a verification checkpoint or audit.
Harvesters are required to make pre-notification to the Department of Agriculture 2-4 weeks prior to harvest. Notify the Bureau of Plant Industry Regional Supervisor(opens in a new tab) for the area the harvesting will occur.
Here's an example of the timber harvest pre-notification sheet.
If you have template you currently use for other things, you are welcome to adapt it for SLF.
Does Spotted Lanternfly Commission have a specific format for vehicle inspections?
There is no required template for vehicle inspections, but documentation is required and must identify the person conducting the inspection and demonstrate an inspection was performed to prevent spread of the pest.
It is recommended that employers and employees incorporate SLF inspections into existing activities, such as daily inspections or safety checks. Document the inspection was done, and the control measures taken if live SLF were found (destruction of SLF, etc.). Examples of driver checklist/inspection logs will be emailed to you digitally as part of the permitting and certification process.
Where should the records be stored?
Records should be kept by the person who registered for and completed the permit training.
When do we need to conduct inspections?
Inspections should be completed before moving within the quarantine zone, leaving the quarantine zone and entering PA from another area that has an SLF population.
If working in the same municipality all day, drivers should complete and log pre and post trip inspections. During the day, advise them to have situational awareness. For example: Drivers should conduct inspections/mitigations as needed through the work day, such as during swarming.
No need for inspection if the vehicle was not used that day.
If I only travel within one quarantined county, do I need to conduct SLF inspections?
Yes. SLF populations are not equally distributed. We want to prevent spreading from areas of high populations to those with low or no populations and prevent the re-infestation of treated areas.
Are inspections required in winter?
After adults have died off in the winter, remove and destroy any egg masses and adults. Be sure to document the inspection and action. After completing this step, SLF inspections may be suspended December 1 through March 31.
Compliance & Enforcement FAQs
What is a compliance inspection?
PDA compliance inspections are conducted to determine if a business is following the SLF Quarantine Order requirements. Inspections could be triggered by a report of a quarantine violation, as a routine audit or at the request of a business and could be a roadside check, document audit, vehicle and product inspection or some combination.
Who is doing the compliance inspections, and what are they looking for?
Dept of Agriculture will conduct the inspections for SLF and work in cooperation with State Police. SP may also check for violations under their authority.
Where will inspections occur for the SLF permit?
Inspections will take place at your business. Vehicle inspections may also take place at weigh and other inspection stations.
How often will shipments/trucks be stopped?
Inspections will be conducted on a periodic basis as determined by PDA. Timing and frequency depend in part on the SLF life cycle and habits. Inspections will be random checks and standard parameters will be developed per checkpoint in conjunction with state police.
How long can a driver expect the inspection process to take, if they are stopped?
Each verification check is unique based on truck and load type. Time invested will vary accordingly.
What kind of questions will a driver be asked?
Drivers must show a permit, either hardcopy or electronic. Drivers will be asked questions to evaluate their understanding and working knowledge of SLF and the risks of spreading the pest.
If an inspector finds SLF in my shipment, what happens?
Once the SLF is destroyed and the entire shipment has been re-inspected and no other SLF is found, the load may continue. The company will be notified of the find and PDA will request to review the company's SLF protocols to prevent subsequent SLF movement. PDA will enter a notation in the company's file and monitor for repeated finds that indicate a larger problem.
Would a manufacturer’s permit cover a carrier that does not have a permit but is keeping a log?
No, the manufacturer's permit covers their facility and goods inspected prior to transport. The carrier needs to obtain their own permit.
If a trucking company has a permit, does the manufacturer that hires them also need a permit?
If the manufacturer is located within the quarantine, the manufacturer needs to obtain a permit, and take the steps to be compliant with the PA SLF Quarantine Order.
Would the carrier company be covered by a manufacturer’s permit as long as they included their company name/permit number on the bill of lading?
No, the carrier needs to obtain a permit, and take the steps to be compliant with the SLF Quarantine Order.
Should a carrier refuse to carry goods from a manufacturer that does not have a permit?
The carrier/driver could ask if the goods have been inspected (permit or no) and have the shipper attest to that in some way (e.g., statement and signature on BOL). The carrier has the right to refuse a load if they are not comfortable with the condition of the goods and do not want to take the responsibility if the shipper does not have a permit and did not inspect the goods.
Will there be fines assessed for SLF hitch hikers that have landed on my vehicle while driving?
If you have done your inspection and an SLF lands on your vehicle during travel, destroy it and re-inspect the entire shipment. If no other SLF is found, the load may continue. Note the find and re-inspection in your records. No penalties will be assessed.
Who would be at fault if a carrier had SLF in their cargo if both parties did their best to check before moving the cargo?
If both parties completed SLF inspections and an SLF is found during transport or upon delivery, destroy it and re-inspect the entire shipment. Note the find and re-inspection in your records. No penalties will be assessed.
When is the deadline for me to have the permit?
The Department of Agriculture began compliance verification May 1, 2019. If you need assistance or have compliance questions, please email info@slfpermits.us.
What if my business is found to be non-compliant?
The Department of Agriculture's goal is to educate and assist businesses with compliance. Any business found to be out of compliance will receive a warning, along with compliance assistance to get permitted. These instances will be tracked, and repeat violators may be fined.
What are the fines associated with non-compliance?
The SLF Quarantine Order Article VII lists the following:
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Criminal citation up to $300 per violation.
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Civil penalty up to $20,000 per violation.
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Revocation of permit or compliance agreement if the Department of Agriculture determines the holder has not complied.
What are the fines associated for non-compliance?
The SLF Quarantine Order Article VII lists the following:
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Criminal citation up to $300 per violation.
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Civil penalty up to $20,000 per violation.
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Revocation of permit or compliance agreement if the Department of Agriculture determines the holder has not complied.
Permit Course & Employee Training FAQs
I am having problems with the Online permit course. Who can help me?
Contact Spotted Lanternfly Commission at 717‑216‑0188 . They will assist you through the process.
I will be taking the course online myself along with other instructors. Every frontline employee including managers, supervisors, owners drivers.
Am I able to provide this training for other businesses affected by the quarantine of which I am not an employee?
Each business must complete the permit process for themselves and ensure they are complying with the SLF Quarantine Order requirements. You can provide the employee training with the understanding that you are not responsible for other compliance aspects.
What are the employee training requirements?
Train your employees, giving priority to those directly involved with vehicle travel, receipt or shipment of goods. Employee training is required prior to distributing the permit to the drivers/vehicles.
Additionally, quarterly briefs of the life stage changes are recommended (late April, early May for hatch, July for 4th stage nymph/adult emergence, September for egg-laying).
If a business chooses to develop training, topics to include:
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Life cycle
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Risks of SLF movement, especially adults and egg masses
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What to look for at different times of the year
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What needs to be inspected
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Recordkeeping requirements