House report

234 Cotton St

3 bd2 ba1,575 sqftRSA5built 1900

Property at a glanceHouse

Owner-occupancy signal

2026 assessment
$455K OPA value, not a listing price
From above · selected parcel outlined; choose a neighboring polygon to open it — imagery © Esri, Maxar

Assessment and City record timeline

Published City assessments for this house against its block and ZIP. Dated City filings are marked on the same line. Select one to read it. Assessments are tax-roll values, not sale prices or appraisals.

$0$250K$500KZIP 19128 (Roxborough) median$494K2003200720112015201920232027
Property assessmentBlock median & rangeZIP 19128 (Roxborough) medianAssessmentDeed / saleL&I violationPermitInspectionLicense

Scroll horizontally to move through the years. Each icon sits on its recorded date; records without a day are labeled and centered within their year. Select one to explain the filing.

Highlight
Every dated record36 events · exact dates, newest first
  1. PermitPlumbing
  2. Deed / saleDeed / sale $360K
  3. InspectionBP_BLDG
  4. L&I violationWORKMANLIKE- BUILDING CODE
  5. InspectionBP_BLDG
  6. InspectionBP_BLDG
  7. L&I violationPERMB- CONST CARPORT
  8. InspectionBP_BLDG
  9. InspectionBP_BLDG
  10. PermitMajor alteration
  11. LicenseMARGARET NILSON HAYES: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration marked inactive
  12. PermitAlteration
  13. L&I violationPERMB- REV WK GONE BEYOND ORIG
  14. InspectionBP_BLDG
  15. PermitAlteration
  16. PermitPlumbing
  17. PermitElectrical
  18. PermitMechanical
  19. PermitMajor alteration
  20. InspectionBP_BLDG
  21. L&I violationSWO- CONSTR W/O BLDG PERMIT (Stop-work order for construction without a building permit)
  22. L&I violationPERMB- INT DEMOL WALLS ETC
  23. InspectionBP_BLDG
  24. InspectionPRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)
  25. LicenseMARGARET NILSON HAYES: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration initially issued
  26. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  27. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  28. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  29. L&I violationVACANT STRUCTURE AND LAND
  30. L&I violationEXTERIOR AREA WEEDS
  31. L&I violationVACANT AND OPEN
  32. L&I violationVACANT STRUCTURE LICENSE
  33. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  34. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  35. LicenseMARGARET NILSON HAYES: Rental landlord or residential registration marked inactive
  36. LicenseMARGARET NILSON HAYES: Rental landlord or residential registration initially issued

Flags: material assessment exemption; legal basis and term unverified · historical tax ledger through 2016 recorded $1K with a lien entry. Informational only. Not investment advice or a consumer report (FCRA).

Verify the public record

$1,793/year estimated property tax

2026 taxable assessment $128,119 × 1.3998%. This is an estimate, not a bill or account balance. The City maintains payments, credits, interest, and the current amount due.

OPA has published a 2027 assessment of $493,800. It is not the 2026 billed-year value.

Current City balanceCheck Tax Center

Payments, credits, interest, and the current amount due are maintained by the City.

OPA 211109410
Open Philadelphia Tax Center →Use “View period balance” to inspect each tax year.
Exemption classificationPartial assessment exemption, basis unverified

2026 OPA taxes $128,119 of $455,300 assessed. The assessment fields alone do not identify a program, approval date, expiration, or buyer eligibility.

See the assessment math →
Historical delinquency sources Record found

This parcel did not match the June 2022 delinquency snapshot. That absence does not confirm the account is current today.

A separate historical parcel ledger ending in 2016 records $1,072.23 and a lien entry. It is shown as historical context only.

2016$1,072.23 total · $901.14 principal · $14.69 interest · $9.01 penalty

For a purchase, refinance, or closing, request the City’s official Property Payoff statement in Tax Center under “More options.”

The assessment exemption gap

OPA's 2026 roll shows a partial assessment exemption. The annual difference is measurable; the reason for it and what happens after a sale are not established here.

Using OPA's taxable amount ~$1,793/year

$128,119 taxable basis

Difference to verify+$4,580/year
If the full assessment were taxable ~$6,373/year

$455,300 scenario basis

The assessment roll does not identify
  • Legal basis or program
  • Approval or expiration date
  • Treatment after a sale
  • Current Tax Center balance
Show the assessment math 2026: ($455,300 assessed − $327,181 exempt) × 1.3998% ≈ $1,793/year Full-assessment scenario: $455,300 × 1.3998% ≈ $6,373/year

Do not treat the full-assessment scenario as inevitable or assume the current relief transfers. Obtain the approval history and verify the live Tax Center account before relying on either number.

Where the record looks off

Conflicts in City paperwork. Flags on the data, not the property.

"Built 1900" is usually a placeholder

Philadelphia records use 1900 as a stand-in when the real construction year was never documented. Treat the age as unknown, not as 120+ years.

The property, on paper

OPA physical field record.

Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
2
Interior
1,575 sqft livable area
Lot
1,954 sqft
Basement
Full city code D
Heat
Forced hot air city code A
Central air
Yes
Exterior condition
Above average city code 3
Interior condition
New / rehabbed city code 2
New / rehabbed
Quality grade
C+ assessor's grade
Zoning
RSA5 city zoning code

OPA field-assessment attributes. Condition and grade are the assessor's codes, not an inspection.

Block context

200 block of Cotton St. Compare parcels, ownership, and public-record history.

See the whole block →

Next door: 235 Cotton St  ·  205 Cotton St

Business licenses at this address Latest pull

What L&I has registered at this OPA parcel, newest initial license date first.

Open the City record ↗

No L&I business license is on record at this address in data through Jul 23, 2026.

Landlord and residential filings

These are property registrations or landlord filings, not businesses operating at this address.

MARGARET NILSON HAYESInactive

Vacant Residential Property / Lot · Initial issue date Jun 10, 2016 · Terminal license date Aug 8, 2017

MARGARET NILSON HAYESInactive

Rental · Initial issue date May 1, 2003 · Terminal license date Feb 28, 2014

A license is an L&I registration, not proof that a business is open, operating today, or located at this storefront. Dates are license dates. Events are deduped by parcel, business identity, and license type, so a renewal is not shown as another opening. Other permit and filing types remain in the full source ledger.

Open every source row 36 dated rows
  1. PermitPlumbing

    Permit 953726 · COMPLETED

    STORM AND SANITARY TRAPS AND FRESH AIR INLETS, INSTALLATION WILL COMPLY WITH THE PHILADELPHIA PLUMBING CODE 2004

  2. Recorded transfer$360K transfer

    2019

  3. InvestigationBP_BLDG

    Case 638552 · PASSED

    The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  4. ViolationWORKMANLIKE- BUILDING CODE

    Case 638552 · Violation 4704956 · Code A-104.1/1 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  5. InvestigationBP_BLDG

    Case 638552 · FAILED

    The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  6. InvestigationBP_BLDG

    Case 612182 · PASSED

    The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  7. ViolationPERMB- CONST CARPORT

    Case 612182 · Violation 4508502 · Code A-301.1/11 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  8. InvestigationBP_BLDG

    Case 612182 · FAILED

    The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  9. InvestigationBP_BLDG

    Case 594593 · PASSED

    The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  10. PermitMajor alteration

    Permit 802265 · COMPLETED

    REPLACENT 2X6 EXISTING WALL AND JOIST 2X10 ON THE FLOOR.NEW STEPS

  11. License terminal eventMARGARET NILSON HAYES: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration marked inactive

    License 704469 · Inactive

    License event. Registration does not prove present operation or storefront occupancy.

  12. PermitAlteration

    Permit 802295 · COMPLETED

    EZ EXTERIOR WALL COVERINGS ( STUCCO) - FOR THE APPLICATION OF EXTERIOR WALL COVERINGS AS PER ATTACHED STANDARD. DEVIATIONS FROM THIS STANDARD WILL RESULT IN PERMIT REVOCATION AND REQUIRE SUBMISSION OF CONSTRUCTION PLANS.

  13. ViolationPERMB- REV WK GONE BEYOND ORIG

    Case 594593 · Violation 4389011 · Code A-302.10/3 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  14. InvestigationBP_BLDG

    Case 594593 · FAILED

    The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  15. PermitAlteration

    Permit 794559 · EXPIRED

    NEW ROOF COVERING AND SIDING CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE ROOFING CERTIFICATION UPON COMPLETION OF WORK.

  16. PermitPlumbing

    Permit 789657 · COMPLETED

    4 WC,4 LAVS,2 BATH TUBS,1 SHOWER,1 LAUNDRY,1 KITCHEN SINK,1 DISHWASHER AND WATER HEATER (SFD)THE INSTALLATION WILL COMPLY WITH THE PHILADELPHIA PLUMBING CODE 2004

  17. PermitElectrical

    Permit 788434 · COMPLETED

    INSTALL 100AMP SERVICE COMPLETE WITH PANEL, METER AND GROUNDING, REMOVE AND REWIRE EXISTING CIRCUTIS, NEW SMOKE DETECTORS HARD WIRED AS PER 2008 NEC (NORTH DISTRICT)

  18. PermitMechanical

    Permit 785596 · COMPLETED

    EZ PERMIT DUCTWORK & WARM-AIR APPLIANCES- FOR THE INSTALLATION OF NEW DUCTWORK, REGISTERS/GRILLES/DIFFUSERS, AND WARM-AIR APPLIANCES AS PER ATTACHED STANDARD. DEVIATIONS FROM THIS STANDARD WILL RESULT IN PERMIT REVOCATION AND REQUIRE SUBMISSION OF CONSTRUCTION PLANS.DUCT WORK 92% GAS FURNACE 60,000 BTU 3 TON COIL 3 TON A/C UNIT 13 SEER

  19. PermitMajor alteration

    Permit 785002 · EXPIRED

    EZ INTERIOR ALTERATIONS. APPLICANT AGREES TO LIMIT THE CONSTRUCTION TO COMPLY WITH EZ PERMIT STANDARD FOR INTERIOR ALTERATIONS, DATED JANUARY 2011.DEVIATION FROM THE STANDARD WILL RESULT IN REVOCATION OF THIS PERMIT AND IMPOSITION OF FURTHER PENALTIES. LICENSED CONTRACTOR TO BE LISTED ON PERMIT. SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR PLUMBING, ELECTRIC AND HVAC. CALL INSPECTOR AT DISTRICT OFFICE AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO START

  20. InvestigationBP_BLDG

    Case 584467 · PASSED

    The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  21. ViolationSWO- CONSTR W/O BLDG PERMIT (Stop-work order for construction without a building permit)

    Case 584467 · Violation 4320129 · Code A-504.1/3 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  22. ViolationPERMB- INT DEMOL WALLS ETC

    Case 584467 · Violation 4320128 · Code A-301.1/7 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  23. InvestigationBP_BLDG

    Case 584467 · FAILED

    The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  24. InvestigationPRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)

    Case 523989 · PASSED

    A follow-up before or during enforcement escalation; confirm the case sequence in the City file. The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  25. License issue eventMARGARET NILSON HAYES: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration initially issued

    License 704469 · Inactive

    License event. Registration does not prove present operation or storefront occupancy.

  26. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 523989 · CLOSED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.

  27. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 523989 · FAILED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  28. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 523985 · PASSED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  29. ViolationVACANT STRUCTURE AND LAND

    Case 523985 · Violation 3869774 · Code PM15-301 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  30. ViolationEXTERIOR AREA WEEDS

    Case 523985 · Violation 3869775 · Code PM15-302.4 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  31. ViolationVACANT AND OPEN

    Case 523985 · Violation 3869773 · Code PM15-108.2 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  32. ViolationVACANT STRUCTURE LICENSE

    Case 523989 · Violation 3953912 · Code 9-3905 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  33. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 523985 · FAILED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  34. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 523989 · FAILED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  35. License terminal eventMARGARET NILSON HAYES: Rental landlord or residential registration marked inactive

    License 231246 · Inactive

    License event. Registration does not prove present operation or storefront occupancy.

  36. License issue eventMARGARET NILSON HAYES: Rental landlord or residential registration initially issued

    License 231246 · Inactive

    License event. Registration does not prove present operation or storefront occupancy.

Where this comes from

Methodology & freshness

This report was assembled Jul 24, 2026, 1:36 PM ET. Available City datasets are queried from OpenDataPhilly (phl.carto.com) and the cited City ArcGIS feeds; record queries paginate rather than silently taking a first page. For this property: Permits: queried · Violations: queried · Investigations: queried · Appeals: queried · Licenses: queried · Building certifications: queried. “Unavailable” means the source query failed or was not supplied, not “no record.” Reports re-pull on view after seven days and on an overnight rolling schedule; citywide benchmarks recompute weekly. Source dates still govern: the parcel-level tax-delinquency snapshot is June 2022 and the separate detailed tax ledger ends in 2016, so neither establishes today’s balance. The live balance and date-effective payoff must be verified in Tax Center. AI-written passages are grounded in the assembled record and rejected if they state a number the record does not hold.

Official city record ↗  ·  L&I history ↗  ·  See the whole block  ·  Download this record (JSON)