{"asOf":"2026-07-30T14:09:43.858Z","block":"5000-5099 CITY AVE","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/5000-5099-city-ave","address":"5034-38 CITY AVE","parcelNumber":"882720000","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=882720000","ownerType":"absentee","kind":"commercial","isHouse":false,"home":false,"commercial":true,"residential":false,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"AA0","buildingCodeNew":"256","buildingClass":"STORE 1 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"RETAIL - * SINGLE OCCUPANCY","useLabel":"Store","owner":"EPSTEIN ELLEN","coOwner":null,"marketValue":566800,"landAssessment":396700,"improvementAssessment":170100,"livableArea":1650,"yearBuilt":1990,"lastSale":{"price":350000,"date":"2002-02-15T05:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2020-054261","date":"2020-12-10","code":"PM15-302.1","title":"EXTERIOR AREA SANITATION","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2021-12-30","resolution":"COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR","latestInvestigationDate":"2021-12-31","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"VI-2020-054262","date":"2020-12-10","code":"PM15-302.4","title":"EXTERIOR AREA WEEDS","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2021-12-30","resolution":"COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR","latestInvestigationDate":"2021-12-31","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null}],"violationCases":[{"number":"CF-2020-089158","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"PROPERTY MAINTENANCE INVESTIGATOR","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2020-12-21","completedDate":"2021-12-31","noticeUrl":null,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2020-054261","date":"2020-12-10","code":"PM15-302.1","title":"EXTERIOR AREA SANITATION","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2021-12-30","resolution":"COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR","latestInvestigationDate":"2021-12-31","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"VI-2020-054262","date":"2020-12-10","code":"PM15-302.4","title":"EXTERIOR AREA WEEDS","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2021-12-30","resolution":"COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR","latestInvestigationDate":"2021-12-31","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2020,"n":2,"worst":null}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"49364","date":"2005-10-04","type":"BC INSP","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"49364","date":"2006-04-19","type":"BC INSP","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"49364","date":"2006-04-27","type":"BC INSP","status":"CLOSED"},{"caseNumber":"49364","date":"2006-08-07","type":"ADMIN INSP","status":"CLOSED"},{"caseNumber":"49364","date":"2006-08-07","type":"BC INSP","status":"CLOSED"},{"caseNumber":"49364","date":"2007-04-24","type":"PRECOURT","status":"CLOSED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2020-089158","date":"2020-12-21","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2020-089158","date":"2021-12-31","type":null,"status":"PASSED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2005,"fails":1,"passes":0},{"y":2006,"fails":1,"passes":0},{"y":2020,"fails":1,"passes":0},{"y":2021,"fails":0,"passes":1}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.99905026946389,"lng":-75.23042488760578,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.230180453,39.99900864],[-75.230485386,39.998859604],[-75.230668627,39.999091957],[-75.230365701,39.999241071],[-75.230180453,39.99900864]]]},"liDistrict":"CENTRAL WEST","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19131","beds":null,"baths":null,"stories":1,"lotArea":10000,"zoning":"CMX2.5","grade":"B","basement":null,"heater":null,"centralAir":null,"extCond":"4","intCond":"4","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"1238 Wrightstown Rd, NEWTOWN PA, 18940","mailOut":true,"appeals":[{"type":"Zoning board appeal","grounds":"PERMIT FOR THE REMOVAL OF EXISTING AWNING ; FOR THE CREATION OF THIRTEEN (13) OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES INCLUDING WITH ONE(1) H/C SPACE ; FOR THE ERECTION OF TWO(2) D/F FREE-STANDING SIGNS (MAX. 20' HIGH)( AREA OF SIGN# 1 ; 47.53 SF;   AREA","status":"OPEN","outcome":"Withdrawn","date":"2017-03-01","number":"29283","relatedPermit":"724169"}],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":1,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":522100,"taxable":522100,"land":400000,"improvement":122100,"taxableLand":400000,"taxableImprovement":122100,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":522100,"taxable":522100,"land":400000,"improvement":122100,"taxableLand":400000,"taxableImprovement":122100,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":567200,"taxable":567200,"land":170150,"improvement":397050,"taxableLand":170150,"taxableImprovement":397050,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":521400,"taxable":521400,"land":104280,"improvement":417120,"taxableLand":104280,"taxableImprovement":417120,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":525300,"taxable":525300,"land":105060,"improvement":420240,"taxableLand":105060,"taxableImprovement":420240,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":525300,"taxable":525300,"land":105060,"improvement":420240,"taxableLand":105060,"taxableImprovement":420240,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":525300,"taxable":525300,"land":105060,"improvement":420240,"taxableLand":105060,"taxableImprovement":420240,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":525300,"taxable":525300,"land":367710,"improvement":157590,"taxableLand":367710,"taxableImprovement":157590,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2024,"v":525300,"taxable":525300,"land":367710,"improvement":157590,"taxableLand":367710,"taxableImprovement":157590,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2025,"v":511000,"taxable":511000,"land":102200,"improvement":408800,"taxableLand":102200,"taxableImprovement":408800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":511000,"taxable":511000,"land":102200,"improvement":408800,"taxableLand":102200,"taxableImprovement":408800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":566800,"taxable":566800,"land":396700,"improvement":170100,"taxableLand":396700,"taxableImprovement":170100,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":7153,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"596600","date":"2015-03-17","work":"Alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2015-09-29","scope":"NEW ROOF COVERING WITH NEW FLASHINGS AND PERIMETER EDGE METAL"},{"number":"ZP-2020-007572","date":"2020-10-23","work":"Change of Use","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Issued","completedDate":null,"scope":"Retail Sales - Consumer Goods"},{"number":"ZP-2020-006288","date":"2021-03-10","work":"Signs (Accessory / Non-Accessory)","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Issued","completedDate":null,"scope":"FOR THE ERECTION OF ONE (1) FLAT WALL SIGN WITH STATIC ILLUMINATION AND ONE (1) DOUBLE-FACED FREE-STANDING SIGN WITH STATIC ILLUMINATION (SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON PLANS)"},{"number":"GP-2020-007591","date":"2021-04-01","work":"Sign","type":"General","description":"General Permit","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2022-04-27","scope":"FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ONE (1) STATIC INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED WALL SIGN. SIGN ACCESSORY TO RETAIL WIRELESS STORE. SEPARATE PERMIT REQUIRED FOR ELECTRICAL WORK."}],"storyTag":"Improved","storyDelta":null,"timeline":[{"y":2002,"k":"sale","p":350000},{"y":2005,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed"},{"y":2006,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed"},{"y":2015,"k":"permit","w":"Alteration"},{"y":2017,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal withdrawn"},{"y":2020,"k":"viol","w":"2 L&I violations"},{"y":2020,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed"},{"y":2020,"k":"permit","w":"Change of Use"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Signs (Accessory / Non-Accessory)"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Sign"},{"y":2021,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection passed"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[{"number":"418885","type":"Dumpster License - Private Property","status":"Inactive","businessName":"LIBERTY TRAVEL INC","legalName":"LIBERTY TRAVEL INC","address":"5034-38 CITY AVE","revenueCode":"3230","rentalCategory":null,"units":null,"issuedDate":"2007-07-31","latestIssueDate":"2007-07-31","expirationDate":"2010-07-31","inactiveDate":null},{"number":"678996","type":"Dumpster License - Private Property","status":"Active","businessName":"LIBERTY TRAVEL INC","legalName":"LIBERTY TRAVEL INC","address":"5034-38 CITY AVE","revenueCode":"3230","rentalCategory":null,"units":null,"issuedDate":"2015-09-30","latestIssueDate":"2015-09-30","expirationDate":null,"inactiveDate":null}],"licenseActivity":[{"number":"678996","type":"Dumpster License - Private Property","businessName":"LIBERTY TRAVEL INC","legalName":"LIBERTY TRAVEL INC","issuedDate":"2007-07-31","latestIssueDate":"2015-09-30","closureDate":null,"expirationDate":null,"inactiveDate":null,"status":"Active","statusLabel":"Active","active":true}],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-29","signals":[],"legalChecks":[{"id":"permit-status","level":"attention","title":"A permit row needs file-level verification","finding":"1 permit not marked completed: GP-2020-007591 (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":"investigations","level":"verify","title":"Failed inspections are dated events—not the current condition","finding":"3 failed, 1 passed, and 4 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was PASSED on Dec 31, 2021.","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 - Private Property #418885: Inactive","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":"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/"},{"id":"violations","level":"clear","title":"No open violation; closed history remains relevant","finding":"The fetched record shows 0 open and 2 historical violations across 1 case.","why":"A closed case is materially better than an open one, but it does not by itself prove that every altered use, unit, or concealed condition matches today’s approvals.","action":"Use the closed cases to target the inspection and occupancy-file review.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/violation-and-order-types/"}],"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/"}]}