{"asOf":"2026-07-25T22:39:06.445Z","block":"400-499 CHESTNUT ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/400-499-chestnut-st","address":"425-29 CHESTNUT ST","parcelNumber":"771645000","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=771645000","ownerType":"absentee","kind":"commercial","isHouse":false,"home":false,"commercial":false,"residential":false,"taxExempt":true,"institutional":true,"buildingCode":"ZA0","buildingCodeNew":"241","buildingClass":"MISC LIBRARY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"OFFICE BLDNG - Low Rise","useLabel":"Library","owner":"AMER PHILOSOPHICAL","coOwner":"SOC NON PROFIT CORP","marketValue":4808000,"landAssessment":625040,"improvementAssessment":4182960,"livableArea":26895,"yearBuilt":1855,"lastSale":{"price":460000,"date":"1981-04-06T05:00:00Z"},"openViolations":1,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2025-030674","date":"2025-05-09","code":"F-903.5","title":"SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TESTING & MAINTENANCE\n","status":"OPEN","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"VI-2025-070373","date":"2025-09-09","code":"PM15-315.2","title":"FACADES","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-12-18","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"},{"number":"VI-2025-087101","date":"2025-11-04","code":"PM15-108.1","title":"UNSAFE STRUCTURE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-12-18","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"},{"number":"VI-2025-087102","date":"2025-11-04","code":"A-304.1/1","title":"ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-12-18","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"},{"number":"VI-2025-087103","date":"2025-11-04","code":"PM15-304.1(G)","title":"EXTERIOR WALLS","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-12-18","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"}],"violationCases":[{"number":"CF-2025-040202","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"FIRE SAFETY INVESTIGATOR","status":"IN VIOLATION","createdDate":"2025-05-09","completedDate":null,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2025-030674","date":"2025-05-09","code":"F-903.5","title":"SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TESTING & MAINTENANCE\n","status":"OPEN","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}]},{"number":"CF-2025-098347","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS BUILDING CERTS","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2025-09-09","completedDate":"2025-12-18","violations":[{"number":"VI-2025-070373","date":"2025-09-09","code":"PM15-315.2","title":"FACADES","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-12-18","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"}]},{"number":"CF-2025-120853","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"UNSAFE","responsibility":"CSU INVESTIGATOR","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2025-11-04","completedDate":"2025-12-18","violations":[{"number":"VI-2025-087101","date":"2025-11-04","code":"PM15-108.1","title":"UNSAFE STRUCTURE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-12-18","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"},{"number":"VI-2025-087102","date":"2025-11-04","code":"A-304.1/1","title":"ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-12-18","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"},{"number":"VI-2025-087103","date":"2025-11-04","code":"PM15-304.1(G)","title":"EXTERIOR WALLS","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-12-18","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2025,"n":5,"worst":"UNSAFE STRUCTURE"}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"CF-2025-040202","date":"2025-05-09","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2025-040202","date":"2025-09-09","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2025-098347","date":"2025-09-09","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2025-120853","date":"2025-11-04","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2025-098347","date":"2025-12-18","type":null,"status":"PASSED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2025-120853","date":"2025-12-18","type":null,"status":"PASSED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2025,"fails":4,"passes":2}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.94924900332874,"lng":-75.14846530479663,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.148335212,39.949469387],[-75.148394077,39.94919067],[-75.148369916,39.949186591],[-75.148405144,39.949021404],[-75.14860567,39.949045376],[-75.148505967,39.949491974],[-75.148335212,39.949469387]]]},"liDistrict":"CENTRAL EAST","certifications":[{"number":"BC-2020-000202","type":"Facade Report","inspectionDate":"2020-07-09","result":"Safe with Repair","expirationDate":"2025-07-09","buildingId":"1466962"},{"number":"BC-2022-004357","type":"Fire Alarm Certification","inspectionDate":"2022-03-30","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2023-03-30","buildingId":"1466962"},{"number":"BC-2023-007341","type":"Sprinkler Certification","inspectionDate":"2023-03-28","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2024-03-28","buildingId":"1466962"},{"number":"BC-2024-015436","type":"Special Hazards Certification","inspectionDate":"2024-03-21","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2025-03-21","buildingId":"1466962"},{"number":"BC-2024-010924","type":"Fire Alarm Certification","inspectionDate":"2024-03-21","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2025-03-21","buildingId":"1466962"},{"number":"BC-2024-017263","type":"Sprinkler Certification","inspectionDate":"2024-03-22","result":"Deficient","expirationDate":null,"buildingId":"1466962"},{"number":"BC-2025-006781","type":"Fire Alarm Certification","inspectionDate":"2025-03-11","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2026-03-11","buildingId":"1466962"},{"number":"BC-2025-012571","type":"Sprinkler Certification","inspectionDate":"2025-03-11","result":"Deficient","expirationDate":null,"buildingId":"1466962"},{"number":"BC-2025-026569","type":"Special Hazards Certification","inspectionDate":"2025-10-01","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2026-10-01","buildingId":"1466962"},{"number":"BC-2026-012168","type":"Fire Alarm Certification","inspectionDate":"2026-03-19","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2027-03-19","buildingId":"1466962"}],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19106","beds":null,"baths":null,"stories":null,"lotArea":9188,"zoning":"CMX4","grade":"A+","basement":null,"heater":null,"centralAir":null,"extCond":"3","intCond":"3","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"425 CHESTNUT ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19106","mailOut":false,"appeals":[{"type":"Building standards appeal","grounds":"ON 07/27/09 THE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSES AND INSPECTIONS ISSUED REFUSAL OF PERMIT FOR APPLICATION # 225148","status":"OPEN","outcome":"APPROVED","date":"2009-10-07","number":"9784","relatedPermit":"225148"}],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":0,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":4510500,"taxable":0,"land":1148600,"improvement":3361900,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":1148600,"exemptImprovement":3361900},{"y":2017,"v":4510500,"taxable":0,"land":1148600,"improvement":3361900,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":1148600,"exemptImprovement":3361900},{"y":2018,"v":4808000,"taxable":0,"land":625040,"improvement":4182960,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":625040,"exemptImprovement":4182960},{"y":2019,"v":4808000,"taxable":0,"land":625040,"improvement":4182960,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":625040,"exemptImprovement":4182960},{"y":2020,"v":4808000,"taxable":0,"land":625040,"improvement":4182960,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":625040,"exemptImprovement":4182960},{"y":2021,"v":4808000,"taxable":0,"land":625040,"improvement":4182960,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":625040,"exemptImprovement":4182960},{"y":2022,"v":4808000,"taxable":0,"land":625040,"improvement":4182960,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":625040,"exemptImprovement":4182960},{"y":2023,"v":4808000,"taxable":0,"land":625040,"improvement":4182960,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":625040,"exemptImprovement":4182960},{"y":2024,"v":4808000,"taxable":0,"land":625040,"improvement":4182960,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":625040,"exemptImprovement":4182960},{"y":2025,"v":4808000,"taxable":0,"land":625040,"improvement":4182960,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":625040,"exemptImprovement":4182960},{"y":2026,"v":4808000,"taxable":0,"land":625040,"improvement":4182960,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":625040,"exemptImprovement":4182960},{"y":2027,"v":4808000,"taxable":0,"land":625040,"improvement":4182960,"taxableLand":0,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":625040,"exemptImprovement":4182960}],"taxNow":0,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"185528","date":"2008-11-20","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2010-07-02","scope":"COMMUNICATION CONDUIT AND CABLING INSTALLATION AS PER 2005 NEC (CC DIST)"},{"number":"225148","date":"2009-11-05","work":"Administrative","type":"BP_ADMINST","description":"ADMINISTRATIVE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2010-03-17","scope":"LAWFUL OCCUPANCY SIGNS FOR THE FOLLOWING SPACES: 1ST FLOOR LOUNGE, AUDITORIUM, MEMBERS ROOM AND FELS ROOM. BALCONY ON 2ND FLOOR AS PER PLANS AND VARIANCE #9784."},{"number":"316261","date":"2010-12-13","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2011-03-15","scope":"REPLACE MAIN SECURITY PANEL."},{"number":"568186","date":"2014-11-17","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":null,"scope":"REPLACE EXISTING FACP, DETECTORS, MODULES, & NOTIFICATION APPLIANCES AS PER NEC 2008 & NFPA 72 CC DIST"},{"number":"EP-2020-000129","date":"2020-04-08","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2020-11-20","scope":"Add one card reader and one door contact 150' low voltage cable to an existing access control system per 2017 NEC"},{"number":"CP-2022-002748","date":"2022-06-29","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Building","description":"Commercial Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2023-02-15","scope":"FOR LEVEL II INTERIOR ALTERATIONS PER APPROVED PLANS. SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING AND FIRE SPRINKLER."},{"number":"FP-2022-001884","date":"2022-07-15","work":"Addition and/or Alterations","type":"Fire Suppression","description":"Fire Suppression Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2023-02-15","scope":"EZ PERMIT SPRINKLER RELOCATION (NFPA 13)- For the Relocation of Sprinkler Heads as per attached standards. Deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans. RELOCATING EXITING HEADS. NO EXTENSION OR ADDING SPRINKLER HEADS TO THE TOTAL COUNT. Relocating (13) sprinkler heads"},{"number":"EP-2022-007296","date":"2022-07-25","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2023-01-31","scope":"Demo 4 existing lights and replace with 8 LED hi hats using existing circuit. Install 2 floor boxes in new part of stage. Remove existing receptacles and boxes and replace with new boxes and new outlets using existing circuits as per 2017 nec AMEND Change the inspection agency from Code Inspections to United Inspection Agency"},{"number":"MP-2022-003933","date":"2022-09-27","work":"Addition and/or Alterations","type":"Mechanical","description":"Mechanical / Fuel Gas Permit","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2023-04-13","scope":"FOR A NEW MECHANICAL INSTALLATION TO ACCOMMODATE AN EXISTING STRUCTURE. WORK TO INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF REGISTERS, DIFFUSERS AND APPLIANCES WITH ASSOCIATED DUCTWORK. APPLIANCES TO BE INSTALLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS. ALL WORK TO BE DONE PER APPROVED PLANS. IF FIELD CONDITIONS VARY CONTACT DESIGN ENGINEER PRIOR TO THE START OF ANY WORK. SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR ALL OTHER WORK."},{"number":"EP-2023-007618","date":"2023-09-13","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2026-02-05","scope":"CCTV System Upgrade AS PER NEC 2017"}],"storyTag":"Improved","storyDelta":null,"timeline":[{"y":2009,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal approved"},{"y":2009,"k":"permit","w":"Administrative"},{"y":2010,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2014,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2020,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alterations"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alterations"},{"y":2023,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2025,"k":"viol","w":"5 L&I violations incl UNSAFE STRUCTURE"},{"y":2025,"k":"insp","w":"L&I: 4 failed, 2 passed"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[{"number":"327417","type":"Dumpster License - Public ROW","status":"Inactive","businessName":"AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY","legalName":"AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY","address":"425-29 CHESTNUT ST","revenueCode":"3417","rentalCategory":null,"units":null,"issuedDate":"2005-07-23","latestIssueDate":"2015-07-23","expirationDate":"2016-03-31","inactiveDate":"2016-05-30"}],"licenseActivity":[{"number":"327417","type":"Dumpster License - Public ROW","businessName":"AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY","legalName":"AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY","issuedDate":"2005-07-23","latestIssueDate":"2015-07-23","closureDate":"2016-05-30","expirationDate":"2016-03-31","inactiveDate":"2016-05-30","status":"Inactive","statusLabel":"Inactive","active":false}],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-24","signals":[{"kind":"record-pressure","level":"watch","title":"Records to verify together","summary":"More than one separately dated public record deserves a current-status check.","evidence":["1 open L&I violation","failed L&I inspection activity in 2025"],"caveat":"A screening signal, not a foreclosure prediction. Tax entries are historical and must be verified with Philadelphia Revenue."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"building-certifications","level":"urgent","title":"A life-safety certification is deficient","finding":"Facade Report: Safe with Repair through Jul 9, 2025; Fire Alarm Certification: Certified through Mar 19, 2027; Sprinkler Certification: Deficient; Special Hazards Certification: Certified through Oct 1, 2026","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":"permit-status","level":"attention","title":"A permit row needs file-level verification","finding":"2 permits not marked completed: MP-2022-003933 (Expired), EP-2023-007618 (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":"violations","level":"attention","title":"1 open L&I violation","finding":"5 violation rows are retained in the City ledger.","why":"Open notices can accrue fees, block permits or license renewal, and move to court or collection. Standard initial notices generally have a 30-day appeal window; unsafe or imminently-dangerous notices have a much shorter window.","action":"Read the notice—not only the summary status—and confirm reinspection, fees, and appeal posture with L&I.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/violation-and-order-types/"},{"id":"investigations","level":"verify","title":"Failed inspections are dated events—not the current condition","finding":"4 failed, 2 passed, and 0 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was PASSED on Dec 18, 2025.","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":"business-license","level":"verify","title":"A historical business license is not current operating authority","finding":"Dumpster License - Public ROW #327417: Inactive since May 30, 2016","why":"A license record proves the licensed activity existed at that time. An inactive or expired license does not establish that the business still operates—or that it may legally reopen under the same use.","action":"If business income matters, verify the current tenant, use registration, and active license in eCLIPSE.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/licenses/business-licenses/"},{"id":"full-tax-exemption","level":"verify","title":"OPA shows a full exemption; its legal basis is unverified","finding":"OPA currently marks the land and building assessment fully tax-exempt; BlockReport does not receive the exemption determination or basis.","why":"Full OPA exemptions can have different legal bases, including government, religious, charitable/institutional, veteran, or other treatment. The current owner/use record is not a buyer’s tax forecast.","action":"Confirm the exact exemption basis, buyer eligibility, and next tax-year treatment directly with OPA.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-property-assessment/tax-exemptions-and-abatements/"},{"id":"commercial-trash","level":"verify","title":"A separate Commercial Trash account may apply","finding":"OPA classifies the parcel as commercial. 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/"}]}