Getting the Dirt on Your Dirt: Resources for Philadelphia Commercial Property Owners, Users, Investors, and Developers

Over the past several years, the City of Philadelphia, working with other stakeholders, has created many valuable online resources for commercial real estate professionals working in Philadelphia. Larsson & Scheuritzel P.C. is glad to assist you with gathering as much information as possible about any particular commercial property of interest. A compilation of resources based on basic questions is below.

General Information

• Where can I obtain maps of the Property?

  • https://atlas.phila.gov
  • http://www.phila.gov/water/swmap/

• What are the Property’s basic characteristics?

  • http://property.phila.gov/

Zoning, Licenses and Permits

• What is the Property’s zoning district?

  • https://atlas.phila.gov  Choose “Zoning” on the left side.

• Have any recent permits been issued?

  • https://atlas.phila.gov  Choose “Licenses and Inspections” on the left side.

• What past zoning applications and appeals have been filed?

  • http://www.phila.gov/zoningarchive/

• Does the Property have all necessary licenses?

  • https://atlas.phila.gov  Choose “Licenses and Inspections” on the left side. This will be under the “Business Licenses” subheading.

• Does the Property have any outstanding violations?

  • http://www.phila.gov/li/Pages/default.aspx: On the left side of the page, about two-thirds of the way down, search “Property History”
  • http://atlas.phila.gov  Choose “Licenses and Inspections” on the left side. This will be under the “Violations” subheading.

• What about construction permits, licenses, and violations?

  • https://atlas.phila.gov  Choose “Licenses and Inspections” on the left side. This will be under the “Permits” and “Inspections” subheadings.

Taxes

• What is the current assessment?

  • http://property.phila.gov/

• What about past assessments?

  • http://property.phila.gov/

• Are real estate taxes current?

  • http://www.phila.gov/revenue/realestatetax/

• What about other taxes?

  • There is no specific tool, but this is helpful: secure.phila.gov/revenue/taxcompliance/

Other

• Is the Parcel City-Owned and Available to Purchase?

  • http://secure.phila.gov/PAPLPublicWeb/Landing.aspx

• Is the Property located in the 100 year floodplain?

  • For a good approximation, review the black hatching near the rivers here:
    https://atlas.phila.gov  Choose “Zoning” on the left side.

• In what watershed is the Property located?

  • http://www.phillywatersheds.org/your_watershed/find_your_watershed

• What documents affecting the Property have been recorded in the land records?

  • http://epay.phila-records.com/phillyepay/web/   (subscription required)

• Which Registered Community Organizations receive notices of zoning variance and special exception applications and referrals to Civic Design Review?

  • https://atlas.phila.gov  Choose “Zoning” on the left side.

• Which elected officials represent the Property?

  • https://live.cicerodata.com/

• Has the Property been in the news?

  • A number of great websites cover real estate development in Philadelphia, including:
    http://www.phillymag.com/property
    http://www.planphilly.com
    http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly

• What did this Property look like on an 1808 map (or 1895, 1942, 1855, etc.)?

  • https://www.philageohistory.org/tiles/viewer/

• I’ve decided that I want to buy and develop the Property. Whom should I contact for sound legal counsel?

  • Richard J. Slavin
    Larsson & Scheuritzel P.C.
    Centre Square West, Suite 3510W
    1500 Market Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19102
    direct: 215-656-4216| main: 215-656-4200
    fax: 215-656-4202
    email: rslavin@larssonlaw.com