{"asOf":"2026-07-26T05:59:53.537Z","block":"200-299 S MELVILLE ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/200-299-s-melville-st","address":"215 S MELVILLE ST","parcelNumber":"461152800","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=461152800","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"O60","buildingCodeNew":"24","buildingClass":"ROW 3.5 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"ROW PORCH FRONT","useLabel":"House","owner":"BOOKER STEPHANIE","coOwner":null,"marketValue":792300,"landAssessment":158460,"improvementAssessment":633840,"livableArea":2816,"yearBuilt":1915,"lastSale":{"price":240000,"date":"2005-06-14T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[],"violationCases":[],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"46734","date":"2005-10-17","type":"CSUINITIAL","status":"CLOSED"}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.95491236778013,"lng":-75.21260604511716,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.212802218,39.954914238],[-75.212792086,39.954958972],[-75.212411164,39.95491136],[-75.212422747,39.954865369],[-75.212802218,39.954914238]]]},"liDistrict":"CENTRAL WEST","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19139","beds":null,"baths":null,"stories":3,"lotArea":1712,"zoning":"RSA5","grade":"B-","basement":null,"heater":null,"centralAir":null,"extCond":"4","intCond":"3","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"215 S MELVILLE ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19139","mailOut":false,"appeals":[{"type":"Zoning board appeal","grounds":"PERMIT FOR TWO (2) FAMILY DWELLING IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE.","status":"OPEN","outcome":"HELD/INFO","date":"2020-02-19","number":"37958","relatedPermit":"1003164"}],"taxYears":[{"year":2015,"total":7161.21,"principal":5661.6,"interest":604.23,"penalty":403.33}],"taxNet":7161.21,"taxLien":true,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":1,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":403900,"taxable":373900,"land":53414,"improvement":350486,"taxableLand":53414,"taxableImprovement":320486,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":30000},{"y":2017,"v":403900,"taxable":373900,"land":60585,"improvement":343315,"taxableLand":60585,"taxableImprovement":313315,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":30000},{"y":2018,"v":403900,"taxable":373900,"land":60585,"improvement":343315,"taxableLand":60585,"taxableImprovement":313315,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":30000},{"y":2019,"v":492800,"taxable":452800,"land":73920,"improvement":418880,"taxableLand":73920,"taxableImprovement":378880,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":40000},{"y":2020,"v":512000,"taxable":467000,"land":76800,"improvement":435200,"taxableLand":76800,"taxableImprovement":390200,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":45000},{"y":2021,"v":512000,"taxable":467000,"land":76800,"improvement":435200,"taxableLand":76800,"taxableImprovement":390200,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":45000},{"y":2022,"v":512000,"taxable":467000,"land":76800,"improvement":435200,"taxableLand":76800,"taxableImprovement":390200,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":45000},{"y":2023,"v":841000,"taxable":768000,"land":168200,"improvement":672800,"taxableLand":168200,"taxableImprovement":599800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":73000},{"y":2024,"v":841000,"taxable":768000,"land":168200,"improvement":672800,"taxableLand":168200,"taxableImprovement":599800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":73000},{"y":2025,"v":841000,"taxable":768000,"land":168200,"improvement":672800,"taxableLand":168200,"taxableImprovement":599800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":73000},{"y":2026,"v":841000,"taxable":768000,"land":168200,"improvement":672800,"taxableLand":168200,"taxableImprovement":599800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":73000},{"y":2027,"v":792300,"taxable":768000,"land":158460,"improvement":633840,"taxableLand":158460,"taxableImprovement":609540,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":24300}],"taxNow":10750,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"180020","date":"2008-09-30","work":"Alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2009-10-22","scope":"STUCCO SIDE & REAR EXTERIOR WALLS OF PROPERTY,APPLYING WIRE MESH & PORTLAND CEMENT."},{"number":"180892","date":"2008-10-03","work":"Major alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2009-01-15","scope":"APPLICANT AGREES TO LIMIT THE CONSTRUCTION TO COMPLY WITH EZ PERMIT STANDARD FOR INTERIOR ALTERATIONS, DATED FEB. 2007. DEVIATIONS FROM THIS STANDARD WILL RESULT IN THE REVOCATION OF THIS PERMIT AND IMPOSITION OF FURTHER PENALTIES."},{"number":"181874","date":"2008-10-14","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":null,"scope":"200 AMP SERVICE AND PARTIAL REWIRE THROUGHOUT....IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2005 NEC"},{"number":"191918","date":"2008-12-10","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2012-12-05","scope":"TO DEVICE OUT SWITCHES, RECEPTACLE OUTLETS,LIGHTING,SWITCHES, COAXIAL, PHONE JACKS,SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR,PROPER GROUNDING FOR METAL WALL CASES & ELECTRICAL BOXES WITH GROUND SCREWS & GREEN WIRE NUTS. WIRE ELECTRIC RANGE, COMPLETE UNFINISHED WIRING ..IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2005 NEC"},{"number":"956177","date":"2019-03-11","work":"New Construction","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2025-01-28","scope":"Run wire for 7 lights, 5 receptacles, and 2 switches. All work per 2008 NEC. *Fish Only*"},{"number":"963630","date":"2019-04-03","work":"Major alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2019-05-23","scope":"EZ PERMIT STANDARDS ALTERATIONS- FOR ALTERATIONS TO AN EXISTING ONE FAMILY DWELLING AS PER ATTACHED STANDARD. DEVIATIONS FROM THIS STANDARD WILL RESULT IN PERMIT REVOCATION AND REQUIRE SUBMISSION OF CONSTRUCTION PLANS. PROHIBITED STRUCTURAL WORK INCLUDES ANY MODIFICATIONS TO EXTERIOR WALLS, PARTY WALLS, FLOOR/ROOF FRAMING OR FOUNDATIONS."},{"number":"968125","date":"2019-04-17","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2019-05-23","scope":"3 FIXTURES: 1 TOILET, 1 LAV SINK, 1 SHOWER, INSTALLATION WILL COMPLY WITH PHILADELPHIA PLUMBING CODE 2004"},{"number":"1003164","date":"2021-05-19","work":"Change of Use","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Issued","completedDate":null,"scope":"Residential - Household Living - Two-Family"},{"number":"RP-2024-009872","date":"2024-11-08","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Residential Building","description":"Residential Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2025-01-22","scope":"For interior and exterior alterations to an existing attached single-family dwelling per plans. Separate permits are required for Plumbing work. Basement to remain non-habitable, to be used for storage and utilities only."},{"number":"PP-2024-017462","date":"2025-01-06","work":"Alterations","type":"Plumbing","description":"Plumbing Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2025-01-22","scope":"installation of 1 floor drain"}],"storyTag":"New construction","storyDelta":null,"timeline":[{"y":2005,"k":"sale","p":240000},{"y":2008,"k":"permit","w":"Alteration"},{"y":2008,"k":"permit","w":"Major alteration"},{"y":2008,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2008,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2019,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction"},{"y":2019,"k":"permit","w":"Major alteration"},{"y":2019,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2020,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal held/info"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Change of Use"},{"y":2024,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2025,"k":"permit","w":"Alterations"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-25","signals":[],"legalChecks":[{"id":"use-occupancy","level":"attention","title":"Zoning approval is not the occupancy file","finding":"Appeal #37958: OPEN · HELD/INFO; related permit 1003164.","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: 956177 (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/"}],"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"}]}