House report

2538 N 5th St

4 bd1 ba3 stories2,496 sqftRM1built 1920

Property at a glanceHouse

Entity-held

2026 assessment
$236K OPA value, not a listing price
From above · selected parcel outlined; choose a neighboring polygon to open it — imagery © Esri, Maxar
Open L&I record

1 violation row marked OPEN in 1 active case

The actual City titles, code sections, case posture, and latest recorded inspections are shown here instead of only an aggregate count.

Open City history ↗
Case CF-2026-038321

Rental License Multi Family (R2)

IN VIOLATION

Opened Apr 21, 2026 · Latest inspection FAILED · Jun 30, 2026

  • Rental License Multi Family (R2)9-3902 (2)

OPEN is the status in the fetched L&I file, not a new inspection by BlockReport. Read the notice for the cited condition and required correction, then verify the live case with L&I.

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$125K$250KZIP 19133 (Fairhill · West Kensington) median$247K2015201720192021202320252027
Property assessmentBlock median & rangeZIP 19133 (Fairhill · West Kensington) medianAssessmentL&I violationAppealPermitInspectionLicense

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. InspectionL&I investigation
  2. InspectionL&I investigation
  3. L&I violationRENTAL LICENSE MULTI FAMILY (R2)
  4. InspectionL&I investigation
  5. LicenseNorth Fifth LLC: Rental landlord or residential registration marked inactive
  6. L&I violationRENTAL LICENSE- ONE & TWO FAMILY (R3)
  7. InspectionL&I investigation
  8. LicenseNorth Fifth LLC: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration marked inactive
  9. LicenseNorth Fifth LLC: Rental landlord or residential registration initially issued
  10. PermitAlterations
  11. PermitAlterations
  12. InspectionL&I investigation
  13. PermitAddition and/or Alterations
  14. PermitAddition and/or Alteration
  15. PermitAddition and/or Alterations
  16. PermitAddition and/or Alteration
  17. AppealZBA Permit Denial - Variance
  18. PermitChange of Use
  19. LicenseNorth Fifth LLC: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration initially issued
  20. InspectionL&I investigation
  21. L&I violationVACANT STRUCTURE LICENSE
  22. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  23. LicenseORTEGA EDWARD R: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration marked inactive
  24. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  25. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  26. L&I violationEXTERIOR AREA WEEDS
  27. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  28. InspectionPRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)
  29. LicenseORTEGA EDWARD R: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration initially issued
  30. InspectionPRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)
  31. InspectionPRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)
  32. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  33. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  34. L&I violationVACANT STRUCTURE AND LAND
  35. L&I violationVACANT STRUCTURE LICENSE
  36. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

Flags: 1 L&I violation row marked OPEN · 1 zoning/board appeal on record. Informational only. Not investment advice or a consumer report (FCRA).

Verify the public record

$3,302/year estimated property tax

2026 taxable assessment $235,900 × 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 $247,100. 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 192220800
Open Philadelphia Tax Center →Use “View period balance” to inspect each tax year.
Exemption classificationNo exemption shown

2026 taxable assessment equals the full assessed value.

Historical delinquency sources No current conclusion

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

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

The property, on paper

OPA physical field record.

Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
1
Stories
3
Interior
2,496 sqft livable area
Lot
1,254 sqft
Heat
Undetermined city code H
Exterior condition
Average city code 4
Interior condition
Average city code 4
Quality grade
C+ assessor's grade
Zoning
RM1 city zoning code
Zoning appeals
1 Completed · Granted · 2021

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

Recorded owner

Who's behind it

North Fifth LLC · corporate / LLC owner

• Tax bills mail to 401 W Price St, Philadelphia PA, 19144

Block context

2500 block of N 5th St. Compare parcels, ownership, and public-record history.

See the whole block →

Next door: 2540 N 5th St  ·  2534-36 N 5th 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 28, 2026.

Landlord and residential filings

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

North Fifth LLCInactive

Rental · Initial issue date Feb 1, 2023 · Terminal license date Apr 1, 2026

North Fifth LLCInactive

Vacant Residential Property / Lot · Initial issue date Feb 10, 2021 · Terminal license date Apr 10, 2023

ORTEGA EDWARD RInactive

Vacant Residential Property / Lot · Initial issue date May 19, 2017 · Terminal license date Jul 17, 2018

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. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case CF-2026-038321 · FAILED

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

  2. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case CF-2026-038321 · FAILED

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

  3. ViolationRENTAL LICENSE MULTI FAMILY (R2)

    Case CF-2026-038321 · Violation VI-2026-025288 · Code 9-3902 (2) · OPEN

    The individual violation row was marked open in the assembled City file; verify the live notice and any later inspection.

  4. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case CF-2026-038321 · FAILED

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

  5. License terminal eventNorth Fifth LLC: Rental landlord or residential registration marked inactive

    License 915628 · Inactive

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

  6. ViolationRENTAL LICENSE- ONE & TWO FAMILY (R3)

    Case CF-2026-018477 · Violation VI-2026-011773 · Code 9-3902 (1) · SVN ISSUED

    Resolution: SVN ISSUED

  7. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case CF-2026-018477

  8. License terminal eventNorth Fifth LLC: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration marked inactive

    License 861191 · Inactive

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

  9. License issue eventNorth Fifth LLC: Rental landlord or residential registration initially issued

    License 915628 · Inactive

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

  10. PermitAlterations

    Permit PP-2022-014997 · Completed

    Install 1" water service, curb trap, fai & main drain

  11. PermitAlterations

    Permit PP-2022-008134 · Completed

    Alterations: Interior plumbing. All proposed work to be done in accordance with Philadelphia Plumbing Code 2018.

  12. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case 718669 · PASSED

    The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  13. PermitAddition and/or Alterations

    Permit FP-2021-001991 · Completed

    FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A TWO (2) INCH FIRE SERVICE LINE WITH A TWO-INCH (2") BACKFLOW PREVENTER, AUTOMATIC FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM AS PER NFPA 13R. ALL WORK SHALL BE DONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPROVED PLANS/HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS. AMENDMENT ISSUED ON 8/30/2022 TO INSTALL BACKFLOW PREVENTER WITH SLOW CLOSING VALVES.

  14. PermitAddition and/or Alteration

    Permit EP-2021-009092 · Completed

    Interior wiring throughout. Electrical Permit for combo CP-2021-003937 according to the 2014 NEC.

  15. PermitAddition and/or Alterations

    Permit MP-2021-005328 · Completed

    Mechanical / Fuel Gas Permit for combo CP-2021-003937

  16. PermitAddition and/or Alteration

    Permit CP-2021-003937 · Completed

    No change in use and occupancy classification. Interior alterations (prescriptive method) to create four (4) dwelling units. Work to include structural framing work. Mechanical work to include registers/diffusers, supply/exhaust ductwork, appliances, and all other work as per approved plans.

  17. AppealZBA Permit Denial - Variance

    Appeal ZP-2020-007256 · Completed · Granted

    Related permit ZP-2020-007256 · PERMIT FOR A MULTI-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING (THREE (3) DWELLING UNITS) IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE.

  18. PermitChange of Use

    Permit ZP-2020-007256 · Issued

    Residential - Household Living - Multi-Family

  19. License issue eventNorth Fifth LLC: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration initially issued

    License 861191 · Inactive

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

  20. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case 718669 · FAILED

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

  21. ViolationVACANT STRUCTURE LICENSE

    Case 718669 · Violation 211981720 · Code 9-3905 · COMPLIED

    Resolution: COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  22. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 718669 · 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.

  23. License terminal eventORTEGA EDWARD R: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration marked inactive

    License 739249 · Inactive

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

  24. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 614287 · 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.

  25. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 614287 · 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.

  26. ViolationEXTERIOR AREA WEEDS

    Case 614287 · Violation 4557908 · Code PM15-302.4 · CLOSEDCASE

    City marked the case closed; that does not mean the original condition never existed.

  27. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 614287 · 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. InvestigationPRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)

    Case 538730 · PASSED

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

  29. License issue eventORTEGA EDWARD R: Vacant Residential Property / Lot landlord or residential registration initially issued

    License 739249 · Inactive

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

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

    Case 538730 · FAILED

    A follow-up before or during enforcement escalation; confirm the case sequence in the City file. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

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

    Case 538730 · FAILED

    A follow-up before or during enforcement escalation; confirm the case sequence in the City file. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  32. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 538730 · 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.

  33. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 538730 · 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. ViolationVACANT STRUCTURE AND LAND

    Case 538730 · Violation 4308974 · Code PM15-301 · COMPLIED

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

  35. ViolationVACANT STRUCTURE LICENSE

    Case 538730 · Violation 4308973 · Code 9-3905 · COMPLIED

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

  36. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 538730 · 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.

Where this comes from

Methodology & freshness

This report was assembled Jul 29, 2026, 7:49 AM 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)