{"asOf":"2026-07-24T20:54:26.916Z","block":"500-599 SPRUCE ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/500-599-spruce-st","address":"521 SPRUCE ST","parcelNumber":"051142400","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=051142400","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"O40","buildingCodeNew":"21","buildingClass":"ROW 2.5 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"ROW OLD STYLE","useLabel":"House","owner":"DUFFY DENNIS","coOwner":"LLANES ARMANDO","marketValue":1041000,"landAssessment":208200,"improvementAssessment":832800,"livableArea":1910,"yearBuilt":1850,"lastSale":{"price":843000,"date":"2016-07-07T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[{"number":"4614651","date":"2018-01-26","code":"A-504.1/3","title":"SWO- CONSTR W/O BLDG PERMIT","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"4614652","date":"2018-01-26","code":"A-504.1/6","title":"SWO- CONSTR W/O PLUMB PERMIT","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}],"violationCases":[{"number":"620193","type":"CONSTRUCTION SERVICES","priority":"CONSTRUCTION SERVICES","responsibility":"DCC","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2018-01-26","completedDate":"2018-04-19","violations":[{"number":"4614651","date":"2018-01-26","code":"A-504.1/3","title":"SWO- CONSTR W/O BLDG PERMIT","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"4614652","date":"2018-01-26","code":"A-504.1/6","title":"SWO- CONSTR W/O PLUMB PERMIT","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2018,"n":2,"worst":null}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"620193","date":"2018-01-26","type":"BP_BLDG","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"620193","date":"2018-03-16","type":"BP_BLDG","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"620193","date":"2018-04-19","type":"BP_BLDG","status":"PASSED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2018,"fails":2,"passes":1}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.945408344372666,"lng":-75.15068390361073,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.150633957,39.945512701],[-75.15067881,39.945298259],[-75.150734062,39.945304734],[-75.15068819,39.945518976],[-75.150633957,39.945512701]]]},"liDistrict":"CENTRAL EAST","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19106","beds":null,"baths":null,"stories":2,"lotArea":1260,"zoning":"RSA5","grade":"C+","basement":"H","heater":"B","centralAir":false,"extCond":"3","intCond":"3","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"521 SPRUCE ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19106","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":1,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":752100,"taxable":722100,"land":83538,"improvement":668562,"taxableLand":83538,"taxableImprovement":638562,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":30000},{"y":2017,"v":752100,"taxable":752100,"land":225630,"improvement":526470,"taxableLand":225630,"taxableImprovement":526470,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":752100,"taxable":752100,"land":225630,"improvement":526470,"taxableLand":225630,"taxableImprovement":526470,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":716200,"taxable":716200,"land":214800,"improvement":501400,"taxableLand":214800,"taxableImprovement":501400,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":740100,"taxable":740100,"land":221968,"improvement":518132,"taxableLand":221968,"taxableImprovement":518132,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":740100,"taxable":740100,"land":221968,"improvement":518132,"taxableLand":221968,"taxableImprovement":518132,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":740100,"taxable":740100,"land":221968,"improvement":518132,"taxableLand":221968,"taxableImprovement":518132,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":960200,"taxable":960200,"land":192040,"improvement":768160,"taxableLand":192040,"taxableImprovement":768160,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2024,"v":960200,"taxable":960200,"land":192040,"improvement":768160,"taxableLand":192040,"taxableImprovement":768160,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2025,"v":1027700,"taxable":1027700,"land":205540,"improvement":822160,"taxableLand":205540,"taxableImprovement":822160,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":1027700,"taxable":1027700,"land":205540,"improvement":822160,"taxableLand":205540,"taxableImprovement":822160,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":1041000,"taxable":1041000,"land":208200,"improvement":832800,"taxableLand":208200,"taxableImprovement":832800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":14386,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"717226","date":"2017-01-05","work":"Zoning","type":"ZP_ZONING","description":"ZONING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2017-01-05","scope":"FOR THE ERECTION OF A SIDE INTERIOR ADDITION TO AN EXISTING ATTACHED BUILDING. SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN IN APPLICATION. FOR USE AS EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING."},{"number":"717227","date":"2017-01-05","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Residential Building","description":"Residential Building Permit","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2021-04-21","scope":"LEVEL II ALTERATIONS (NO CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY) WITH TWO STORY SIDE INFILL ADDITION TO AN EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING AS PER APPROVED PLANS. EXISTING IRC 2009 TOWNHOUSE, NOT REQUIRED TO BE SPRINKLERED. **SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MEP WORK**"},{"number":"768549","date":"2017-03-22","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"ABANDONED","completedDate":null,"scope":"REWIRE HOUSE INCLUDING RECEPTACLES, SWITCHES, AND LIGHTS, INCLUDING 200AMP SERVICE, SMOKE/CO DETECTORS AS PER MEC 2008 CC DISTRICT"},{"number":"773614","date":"2017-04-07","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"EXPIRED","completedDate":"2018-01-26","scope":"ROUGH IN 2 BATHROOMS, POWDER ROOM AND KITCHEN SINK.THE INSTALLATION WILL COMPLY WITH THE PHILADEPHIA PLUBMING CODE 2004"},{"number":"803439","date":"2017-07-31","work":"Administrative","type":"BP_ADMINST","description":"ADMINISTRATIVE PERMIT","status":"EXPIRED","completedDate":null,"scope":"AMEND ADDITION PERMIT NO. 717227 TO REMOVE PORTIONS OF CHIMNEY BELOW ROOF AND ADD ADDITIONAL BEAMS AND POSTS TO SUPPORT REMAINING PORTION OF CHIMNEY AS PER ATTACHED ENGINEERS REPORT AND DETAILS."},{"number":"808752","date":"2017-08-16","work":"Mechanical","type":"BP_MECH","description":"MECHANICAL PERMIT","status":"EXPIRED","completedDate":"2018-04-03","scope":"INSTALL (1) HVAC UNIT WITH DUCTWORK & INSTALL (1) MINI SPLIT SYTEM FOR A TOTAL OF (2) SYSTEMS. CONDENSER TO BE LOCATED IN REAR NOT VISIBLE FROM PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY. APPROVED BY THE PHC. (SFD)"},{"number":"829783","date":"2017-11-06","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":null,"scope":"RE-WIRE AND INSTALL DEVICES, SWITCHES, RECEPTS, LIGHTS, SMOKES/CO DETECTORS, CABLE TV & CAT5 FOR INTERNET, UPDATE 200AMP SERVICE TO INCLUDE 60 CIRCUIT PANEL, METER AND GROUNDING AS PER 2008 NEC (CC DISTRICT)"},{"number":"864872","date":"2018-04-05","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2018-12-13","scope":"EZ PLUMBING PERMIT - REPIPING WATER LINES AND DRAIN LINES TO FIXTURES, FIXTURES STAYING IN EXISTING LOCATIONS. (2 1/2) BATHROOMS 3 WC, 3 LAVS, 2 BATHTUBS, AND 1 KS AS PER 2004 PHILA. PLUMBING CODE."},{"number":"865849","date":"2018-04-13","work":"Mechanical","type":"BP_MECH","description":"MECHANICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2018-12-13","scope":"INSTALLATION AND REPLACEMENT HVAC LENNOX GAS FURNACE & AIR CONDITIONER WITH ZONING PACKAGE..INDOOR AND OUTDOOR UNIT...70,000 BTU WITH 98% EFF"},{"number":"974983","date":"2019-05-09","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2019-05-10","scope":"REPLACE HOUSE DRAIN, TRAP, AND FRESH AIR INLET AS PER PHILADELPHIA 2014 PLUMBING CODE."}],"storyTag":"Improved","storyDelta":null,"timeline":[{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Zoning"},{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Administrative"},{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Mechanical"},{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2018,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2018,"k":"permit","w":"Mechanical"},{"y":2018,"k":"viol","w":"2 L&I violations"},{"y":2018,"k":"insp","w":"L&I: 2 failed, 1 passed"},{"y":2019,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-23","signals":[{"kind":"permit-mismatch","level":"watch","title":"Assessment/permit mismatch","summary":"The assessment jumped 30% in 2023, but no matching permit appears in the property timeline.","evidence":["assessment moved from $740,100 to $960,200","no permit shown in 2022-2024"],"caveat":"Not proof of unpermitted work; reassessment, corrected data, or a permit under another parcel can also explain it."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"permit-status","level":"attention","title":"A permit row needs file-level verification","finding":"5 permits not marked completed: 717227 (Expired), 768549 (ABANDONED), 773614 (EXPIRED), 803439 (EXPIRED), 808752 (EXPIRED). At least one row also carries a completion date, so the City fields conflict.","why":"Issued work is not the same as approved final work. L&I uses final inspections and required certifications to close construction permits; expired, withdrawn, and completed are different City statuses.","action":"Open the permit file and confirm final inspections, holds, and any resulting occupancy certificate.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections-by-permit-type/"},{"id":"investigations","level":"verify","title":"Failed inspections are dated events—not the current condition","finding":"2 failed, 1 passed, and 0 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was PASSED on Apr 19, 2018.","why":"A PASSED or FAILED value applies to that inspection visit. CLOSED is a separate source status; none of the three alone proves the parent permit or violation case closed—or describes today’s condition.","action":"Open the parent case/permit for each material failure and confirm its later disposition.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections-by-permit-type/"},{"id":"violations","level":"clear","title":"No open violation; closed history remains relevant","finding":"The fetched record shows 0 open and 2 historical violations across 1 case.","why":"A closed case is materially better than an open one, but it does not by itself prove that every altered use, unit, or concealed condition matches today’s approvals.","action":"Use the closed cases to target the inspection and occupancy-file review.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/violation-and-order-types/"}],"closingChecks":[{"title":"Property Sales Certification","body":"The seller must obtain Philadelphia’s certificate showing the base zoning, last use in the zoning record, and open violations. The City warns that it does not prove Building Code occupancy or show zoning overlays.","action":"Obtain the fresh certificate and compare it with the CO, permits, and Atlas overlays.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-certificate/get-a-property-sales-certification/"},{"title":"Date-effective City Property Payoff","body":"The Tax Center Property Payoff covers Real Estate Tax, Commercial Trash, and L&I abatement-work invoices. Philadelphia says it does not include business-tax debts or liens, water and sewer charges, or fines for code violations.","action":"Request the City statement effective through settlement; read every period and invoice.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/guides/philadelphia-tax-center/what-to-do/"},{"title":"Professional title and water-lien searches","body":"OPA ownership, deed summaries, and a zero tax balance are not clear title. Mortgages, judgments, municipal claims, water liens, easements, heirs, and other encumbrances require separate searches.","action":"Use a Pennsylvania lawyer/title company and obtain owner’s title insurance; order the separate water search/payoff.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/2026-04-07-why-title-insurance-is-your-best-friend-when-buying-a-home-in-philadelphia/","secondaryUrl":"https://www.phila.gov/services/water-gas-utilities/pay-or-dispute-a-water-bill/resolve-water-liens-judgments/"},{"title":"Seller-specific tax relief is not the buyer’s bill","body":"LOOP and low-income or senior Real Estate Tax freezes depend on the qualifying owner and continued program eligibility; a buyer cannot assume the seller’s capped or frozen bill continues. A separately verified property abatement often remains with the property for its remaining term, but program-specific new-owner filing, use, and tax-compliance conditions still must be confirmed—not inferred from the reduced assessment alone.","action":"Have Revenue or OPA identify every current benefit, model the buyer’s bill without seller-specific relief, and confirm any verified abatement in writing.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/payment-plans-and-assistance-programs/income-based-programs-for-residents/apply-for-the-longtime-owner-occupants-program-loop/","secondaryUrl":"https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/taxes/property-and-real-estate-taxes/get-real-estate-tax-relief/tax-freeze/"},{"title":"Seller disclosure and independent inspections","body":"For a covered Pennsylvania residential transfer, obtain the statutory seller disclosure. It reports the seller’s knowledge; it is not a warranty, title search, code review, or substitute for inspections. Because OPA dates this building before 1978, separately obtain the required federal/City lead disclosures and any test results.","action":"Have the agreement and disclosure reviewed for this transaction’s coverage and exceptions.","url":"https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/real-estate-commission"}]}