{"asOf":"2026-07-28T14:55:13.710Z","block":"4900-4999 GERMANTOWN AVE","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/4900-4999-germantown-ave","address":"4942 GERMANTOWN AVE","parcelNumber":"123128705","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=123128705","ownerType":"investor","kind":"multi-family","isHouse":false,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"U50","buildingCodeNew":"22","buildingClass":"ROW CONV/APT 3 STY MASON","buildingClassNew":"ROW TYPICAL","useLabel":"Apartment building","owner":"GERMANTOWN MASJID","coOwner":null,"marketValue":315700,"landAssessment":63140,"improvementAssessment":252560,"livableArea":3900,"yearBuilt":1915,"lastSale":{"price":50000,"date":"2017-09-18T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[],"violationCases":[],"investigations":[],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":40.028777864958386,"lng":-75.1634510746674,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.163320458,40.028867115],[-75.163524405,40.028659056],[-75.163582208,40.028692259],[-75.163375048,40.028898796],[-75.163320458,40.028867115]]]},"liDistrict":"NORTH","certifications":[{"number":"BC-2024-000327","type":"Fire Alarm Certification","inspectionDate":"2023-10-02","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2024-10-02","buildingId":"1099432"},{"number":"BC-2024-026891","type":"Emergency and Standby Power Systems Certification","inspectionDate":"2024-09-29","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2025-09-29","buildingId":"1099432"},{"number":"BC-2025-002022","type":"Fire Alarm Certification","inspectionDate":"2025-01-21","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2026-01-21","buildingId":"1099432"},{"number":"BC-2025-012166","type":"Fire Alarm Certification","inspectionDate":"2025-04-11","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2026-04-11","buildingId":"1099432"},{"number":"BC-2026-012835","type":"Fire Alarm Certification","inspectionDate":"2026-05-05","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2027-05-05","buildingId":"1099432"}],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19144","beds":null,"baths":null,"stories":3,"lotArea":1900,"zoning":"CMX2.5","grade":"C+","basement":"C","heater":"A","centralAir":false,"extCond":"4","intCond":"4","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"4942 GERMANTOWN AVE, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19144","mailOut":false,"appeals":[{"type":"Zoning board appeal","grounds":"PERMIT FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (EDUCATIONAL FACILITY) IN AN EXISTING THREE STORY STRUCTURE","status":"OPEN","outcome":"Dismissed","date":"2019-10-02","number":"35963","relatedPermit":"922397"},{"type":"ZBA Permit Denial - Variance","grounds":"PERMIT FOR AN EDUCATIONAL FACILITY ON THE SAME LOT WITH ALL OTHER USES AS PREVIOSULY APPROVED. NO SIGN ON THIS APPLICATION.\n\nThe permit for the above location cannot be issued because the proposal does not comply with the following provisio","status":"Completed","outcome":"Granted","date":"2022-09-07","number":"ZP-2022-001354","relatedPermit":"ZP-2022-001354"}],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":1,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":67500,"taxable":67500,"land":9500,"improvement":58000,"taxableLand":9500,"taxableImprovement":58000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":67500,"taxable":67500,"land":9500,"improvement":58000,"taxableLand":9500,"taxableImprovement":58000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":67500,"taxable":67500,"land":9500,"improvement":58000,"taxableLand":9500,"taxableImprovement":58000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":127500,"taxable":127500,"land":17944,"improvement":109556,"taxableLand":17944,"taxableImprovement":109556,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":129200,"taxable":129200,"land":18183,"improvement":111017,"taxableLand":18183,"taxableImprovement":111017,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":129200,"taxable":129200,"land":18183,"improvement":111017,"taxableLand":18183,"taxableImprovement":111017,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":129200,"taxable":129200,"land":18183,"improvement":111017,"taxableLand":18183,"taxableImprovement":111017,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":267200,"taxable":267200,"land":53440,"improvement":213760,"taxableLand":53440,"taxableImprovement":213760,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2024,"v":267200,"taxable":267200,"land":53440,"improvement":213760,"taxableLand":53440,"taxableImprovement":213760,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2025,"v":370500,"taxable":370500,"land":74100,"improvement":296400,"taxableLand":74100,"taxableImprovement":296400,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":370500,"taxable":370500,"land":74100,"improvement":296400,"taxableLand":74100,"taxableImprovement":296400,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":315700,"taxable":315700,"land":63140,"improvement":252560,"taxableLand":63140,"taxableImprovement":252560,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":5186,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"ZP-2021-012859","date":"2021-12-14","work":"Change of Use","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Cancelled","completedDate":"2021-12-23","scope":"Public, Civic, and Institutional - Educational Facilities"},{"number":"ZP-2022-001354","date":"2022-08-24","work":"Change of Use","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Issued","completedDate":null,"scope":"Public, Civic, and Institutional - Educational Facilities"},{"number":"CP-2023-005215","date":"2024-04-24","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Building","description":"Commercial Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2025-06-03","scope":"LEVEL II ALTERATIONS WITH COMPLETE CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY TO CREATE AN EDUCATIONAL FACILITY THROUGHOUT AN EXISTING THREE STORY BUILDING AS PER APPROVED PLANS. BUILDING TO BE FULLY SPRINKLERED PER NFPA 13. *2018 IEBC REVIEW* **SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MEP & FIRE SUPPRESSION WORK**"},{"number":"FP-2024-002420","date":"2024-11-14","work":"Rough-In","type":"Fire Suppression","description":"Fire Suppression Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2024-11-14","scope":"Rough-In Permit for FP-2024-002388 INSTALL NEW 2\" FIRE SERVICE FROM STREET TO BUILDING SUPPLY AND INSTALL ALL REQUIRED SPRINKLERS PER NFPA 13 SUPPLY AND INSTALL ALL REQUIRED PIPING, HANGERS AND FITTINGS PER NFPA 13 SUPPLY AND INSTALL NEW 2.5\" CITY-APPROVED BACKFLOW PREVENTER SUPPY AD INSTALL NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTION SUPPLY AND INSTALL ALL REQUIRED BELLS, TAMPERS AND FLOW SWITCHES"},{"number":"FP-2024-002388","date":"2024-11-15","work":"Addition and/or Alterations","type":"Fire Suppression","description":"Fire Suppression Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2025-05-14","scope":"FOR INSTALLATION OF SPRINKLER SYSTEM PER NFPA 13 WITH 2-INCH FIRE SERVICE LINE AND 2-1/2 INCHES BFP DEVICE AS PER APPROVED PLANS."}],"storyTag":"Improved","storyDelta":null,"timeline":[{"y":2017,"k":"sale","p":50000},{"y":2019,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal dismissed"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Change of Use"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Change of Use"},{"y":2022,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal granted"},{"y":2024,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2024,"k":"permit","w":"Rough-In"},{"y":2024,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alterations"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[{"number":"400393","type":"Rental","status":"Inactive","businessName":"LOWER GERMANTOWN LP","legalName":"LOWER GERMANTOWN LP","address":"4942 GERMANTOWN AVE","revenueCode":"3202","rentalCategory":null,"units":3,"issuedDate":"2007-02-21","latestIssueDate":"2014-06-02","expirationDate":"2015-02-28","inactiveDate":"2015-04-29"},{"number":"0999287","type":"Food Preparing and Serving (30+ SEATS)","status":"Active","businessName":"Germantown Mosque Academy School Inc","legalName":"Germantown Mosque Academy School Inc","address":"4942 GERMANTOWN AVE","revenueCode":"3121","rentalCategory":null,"units":null,"issuedDate":"2026-02-10","latestIssueDate":"2026-02-10","expirationDate":"2027-02-09","inactiveDate":null}],"licenseActivity":[{"number":"0999287","type":"Food Preparing and Serving (30+ SEATS)","businessName":"Germantown Mosque Academy School Inc","legalName":"Germantown Mosque Academy School Inc","issuedDate":"2026-02-10","latestIssueDate":"2026-02-10","closureDate":null,"expirationDate":"2027-02-09","inactiveDate":null,"status":"Active","statusLabel":"Active","active":true},{"number":"400393","type":"Rental","businessName":"LOWER GERMANTOWN LP","legalName":"LOWER GERMANTOWN LP","issuedDate":"2007-02-21","latestIssueDate":"2014-06-02","closureDate":"2015-04-29","expirationDate":"2015-02-28","inactiveDate":"2015-04-29","status":"Inactive","statusLabel":"Inactive","active":false}],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-27","signals":[{"kind":"transition-activity","level":"watch","title":"Recent transition activity","summary":"The property has an unusually active paper trail worth monitoring for the next permit, inspection, deed, or listing.","evidence":["3 permit events since 2023"],"caveat":"Record activity alone does not establish that a sale or redevelopment is planned."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"use-occupancy","level":"attention","title":"Zoning approval is not the occupancy file","finding":"Appeal #ZP-2022-001354: Completed · Granted; related permit ZP-2022-001354.","why":"Philadelphia says a zoning approval or Property Sales Certification can identify a use without proving that it was established under the Building Code. A change of use, unit count, exits, or fire rating can require a Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy.","action":"Verify the lawful use, unit count, associated construction permits, and Certificate of Occupancy with L&I.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-certificate/get-a-certificate-of-occupancy/"},{"id":"permit-status","level":"attention","title":"A permit row needs file-level verification","finding":"1 permit not marked completed: ZP-2021-012859 (Cancelled).","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":"building-certifications","level":"attention","title":"A life-safety certification appears expired","finding":"Fire Alarm Certification: Certified through May 5, 2027; Emergency and Standby Power Systems Certification: Certified through Sep 29, 2025","why":"Fire-protection certifications apply to the named system and inspection period only; they are not a whole-building safety certificate. Philadelphia generally requires annual sprinkler, standpipe, fire-alarm, special-hazard, and emergency-power inspections where those systems exist.","action":"Request the correction/reinspection and current filed certificate.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/maintenance-certifications/fire-protection-certifications/"},{"id":"rental-status","level":"verify","title":"Residential form does not establish rental use","finding":"OPA classifies the parcel as multi-family; no active Rental License row matched.","why":"A multi-unit or mixed-use classification does not prove that space is currently rented. If dwelling space is rented, Philadelphia generally requires a current Rental License and related occupancy, tax, violation, and lead compliance.","action":"Confirm actual occupancy first; if any unit is rented, verify the license and legal unit count with L&I.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/rent-or-sell-property/get-a-rental-license/"},{"id":"commercial-trash","level":"verify","title":"A separate Commercial Trash account may apply","finding":"OPA classifies the parcel as multi-family. BlockReport does not receive a current Commercial Trash account balance.","why":"Philadelphia charges qualifying small commercial, mixed-use, and multi-unit properties that use City collection; exemptions and private collection can change applicability. A use category alone does not prove a fee is due.","action":"Check the Commercial Trash account inside the date-effective Property Payoff.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/2026-06-09-pay-your-trash-fee-bill-by-june-30/"}],"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"}]}