{"asOf":"2026-07-26T19:06:52.766Z","block":"8500-8599 GERMANTOWN AVE","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/8500-8599-germantown-ave","address":"8512-16 GERMANTOWN AVE","parcelNumber":"882802300","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=882802300","ownerType":"investor","kind":"commercial","isHouse":false,"home":false,"commercial":true,"residential":false,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"BA0","buildingCodeNew":"254","buildingClass":"STR/OFF 1 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"DOWNTOWN ROW TYPE-* SNGL OCCP","useLabel":"Commercial","owner":"BOWMAN PROPERTIES LIMITED","coOwner":null,"marketValue":1220900,"landAssessment":244100,"improvementAssessment":976800,"livableArea":5000,"yearBuilt":1930,"lastSale":{"price":1487500,"date":"2014-05-22T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":3,"violations":[{"number":"3587082","date":"2015-06-04","code":"A-301.1/65","title":"PERM Z- NEW USE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"3587083","date":"2015-06-04","code":"LO-1","title":"OBTAIN LIC INDICATED","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"VI-2025-097658","date":"2025-12-16","code":"19-2602(1)","title":"CAL LICENSE OBTAIN","status":"CLOSED","resolutionDate":"2026-02-04","resolution":"CLOSED - STOP PROCESSING"},{"number":"VI-2025-097656","date":"2025-12-16","code":"F-903.5","title":"SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TESTING & MAINTENANCE\n","status":"OPEN","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"VI-2025-097657","date":"2025-12-16","code":"F-901.6.4","title":"PERIODIC TESTING\n","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2026-03-24","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"}],"violationCases":[{"number":"484330","type":"STANDARD","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"BU","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2015-06-08","completedDate":"2015-08-10","violations":[{"number":"3587082","date":"2015-06-04","code":"A-301.1/65","title":"PERM Z- NEW USE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"3587083","date":"2015-06-04","code":"LO-1","title":"OBTAIN LIC INDICATED","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null}]},{"number":"CF-2025-134625","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"QUALITY OF LIFE COURTS","status":"IN VIOLATION","createdDate":"2025-12-17","completedDate":null,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2025-097658","date":"2025-12-16","code":"19-2602(1)","title":"CAL LICENSE OBTAIN","status":"CLOSED","resolutionDate":"2026-02-04","resolution":"CLOSED - STOP PROCESSING"},{"number":"VI-2025-097656","date":"2025-12-16","code":"F-903.5","title":"SUPPRESSION SYSTEM TESTING & MAINTENANCE\n","status":"OPEN","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"VI-2025-097657","date":"2025-12-16","code":"F-901.6.4","title":"PERIODIC TESTING\n","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2026-03-24","resolution":"COMPLIED - LICENSE/CERTIFICATE/REPORT OBTAINED"}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2015,"n":2,"worst":null},{"y":2025,"n":3,"worst":null}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"484330","date":"2015-06-04","type":"HCEU INSP","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"484330","date":"2015-08-06","type":"HCEU INSP","status":"PASSED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2025-134625","date":"2025-12-17","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2025-134625","date":"2026-02-05","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2025-134625","date":"2026-03-20","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2025-134625","date":"2026-04-08","type":null,"status":"FAILED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2015,"fails":1,"passes":1},{"y":2025,"fails":1,"passes":0},{"y":2026,"fails":3,"passes":0}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":40.075861097709435,"lng":-75.20728882532354,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.207578557,40.075457228],[-75.207717293,40.075539612],[-75.2071187,40.076153827],[-75.207005949,40.076260302],[-75.206864546,40.076175852],[-75.207578557,40.075457228]]]},"liDistrict":"NORTH","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19118","beds":null,"baths":null,"stories":1,"lotArea":16513,"zoning":"CA1","grade":"C","basement":null,"heater":null,"centralAir":null,"extCond":"3","intCond":"3","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"8238 GERMANTOWN AVE, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19118","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":1,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":1001900,"taxable":1001900,"land":412500,"improvement":589400,"taxableLand":412500,"taxableImprovement":589400,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":1001900,"taxable":1001900,"land":412500,"improvement":589400,"taxableLand":412500,"taxableImprovement":589400,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":1088500,"taxable":1088500,"land":217700,"improvement":870800,"taxableLand":217700,"taxableImprovement":870800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":1087900,"taxable":1087900,"land":217580,"improvement":870320,"taxableLand":217580,"taxableImprovement":870320,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":1096000,"taxable":1096000,"land":219200,"improvement":876800,"taxableLand":219200,"taxableImprovement":876800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":1096000,"taxable":1096000,"land":219200,"improvement":876800,"taxableLand":219200,"taxableImprovement":876800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":1096000,"taxable":1096000,"land":219200,"improvement":876800,"taxableLand":219200,"taxableImprovement":876800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":1197600,"taxable":1197600,"land":239526,"improvement":958074,"taxableLand":239526,"taxableImprovement":958074,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2024,"v":1197600,"taxable":1197600,"land":239526,"improvement":958074,"taxableLand":239526,"taxableImprovement":958074,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2025,"v":1159600,"taxable":1159600,"land":231920,"improvement":927680,"taxableLand":231920,"taxableImprovement":927680,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":1159600,"taxable":1159600,"land":231920,"improvement":927680,"taxableLand":231920,"taxableImprovement":927680,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":1220900,"taxable":1220900,"land":244100,"improvement":976800,"taxableLand":244100,"taxableImprovement":976800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":16232,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"443435","date":"2012-12-13","work":"Use","type":"ZP_USE","description":"USE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2012-12-13","scope":"INTERIOR ALTERATIONS NO CHANGE IN HEIGHT OR AREA. CHANGE USE TO BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE"},{"number":"525924","date":"2014-03-25","work":"Use","type":"ZP_USE","description":"USE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2014-03-25","scope":"TWO SPACES ON FIRST FLOOR(I STORY STRUCTURE)"},{"number":"677810","date":"2016-03-30","work":"Use","type":"ZP_USE","description":"USE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-03-30","scope":"SUBDIVISION OF EXISTING RETAIL SPACE TO CREATE TWO SMALLER VACANT RETAIL SPACES AND ONE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE SPACE. NO FOOTPRINT CHANGES TO EXISITNG BUILDING."},{"number":"677814","date":"2016-04-26","work":"Major alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-10-26","scope":"INT ALT TO CREATE RETAIL SPACES AND ONE OFFICE SPACE. REAR EXT FACADE UPDATES TO CREAT NEW OFFICE ENTRY AND NEW WINDOW OPENINGS AND RESTORE EXSITING WINDOW OPENINGS. NEW ACCESS STAIRS TO BASEMENT MECHANICAL/UTILITY SPACE."},{"number":"692184","date":"2016-06-15","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-10-19","scope":"INSTALL NEW FIRE ALARM IN RETAIL SPACES AND BASEMENT,28-INITIATING DEVICES AND 11 NAC DEVICES AS PER NFPA72"},{"number":"698720","date":"2016-07-13","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-10-19","scope":"REMOVE EXISTING CT BABINET, METER & MPD WITH NEW 400AMP FOUR POSITION METER MODULE, INSTALL NEW 100AMP HOUSE PANEL, NEW 200AMP SUITE PANEL & REFEED ROOF TOP UNITS & INSTALL 1-DUPLEX RECEPT AS PER NEC 2008 NORTH DISTRICT"},{"number":"699040","date":"2016-07-14","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-09-26","scope":"INSTALL DRAIN AND WATER TO 21 TOILET ROOMS AND 1 COUNTER TOP SINK HOT WATER HEATER - INSTALLATION WILL COMPY WITH THE PHILADELPHIA PLUMBING CODE 2004"},{"number":"698213","date":"2016-08-01","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Building","description":"Commercial Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2026-02-06","scope":"FOR A PARTIAL CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION TO CREATE REAL ESTATE OFFICE WITHIN EXISTING MULTI-TENANT BUILDING & LEVEL 2 ALTERATIONS FOR THE ERECTION OF PARTITION WALLS FOR OFFICE, BATHROOM & CONFERENCE SPACES; BUILDING IS PARTIALLY SPRINKLERED AT BASEMENT. SEPARATE PERMIT REQ'D FOR ANY MECH., ELEC. & PLUMB. WORK. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (CO) TO BE RELEASED ONLY WHEN DEED FOR PUBLIC ACCESS THROUGH ADJOINING PROPERTY TO PUBLIC WAY HAS BEEN RECORDED WITH THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA."},{"number":"711226","date":"2016-08-01","work":"Mechanical","type":"BP_MECH","description":"MECHANICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-09-26","scope":"HVAC WORK TO INCLUDE TERMINAL DEVICES, ROOFTOP UNIT & ASSOCIATED DUCTWORK FOR NEWLY CREATED REAR OFFICE TENANT SPACE. SEE BUILDING PERMIT# 698213 FOR ORIGINAL APPLICATION FOR BUILDING PERMIT"},{"number":"711904","date":"2016-08-02","work":"Suppression","type":"BP_FIRESUP","description":"SUPPRESSION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-09-26","scope":"RELOCATE 15 EXISTING SPRINKLERS HEADS (COMMERCIAL)"},{"number":"698724","date":"2016-08-04","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-10-18","scope":"FURNISH & INSTALL NEW LIGHTING, NEW SWITCH, RECEPTACLES & FURNITURE FEEDS, INCLUDED POWER WIRING FOR A NEW RTU, HOT WATER HEATER & BATHROOM EXHAUST FANS AS PER NEC 2008"},{"number":"702982","date":"2016-09-21","work":"New Construction","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2022-05-19","scope":"FURNISH AND INSTALL 39 CATEGORY 5E PLENUM CABLES FOR VOICE AND DATA CABLING PER 2008 NEC (OFFICE SPACE)"},{"number":"724526","date":"2016-09-26","work":"Use","type":"ZP_USE","description":"USE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-09-26","scope":"FOR A LIBRARIES AND CULTURAL EXHIBITS AT FIRST FLOOR FRONT IN THE SAME BUILDING WITH EXISTING BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE AT FIRST FLOOR REAR IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE. NO SIGN ON THIS APPLICATION."},{"number":"726573","date":"2016-10-04","work":"Use","type":"ZP_USE","description":"USE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-10-04","scope":"FOR THE RETAIL SALE OF CONSUMER GOODS WITH A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED USE OF LIBRARIES AND CULTURAL EXHIBITS AT THE FIRST FLOOR FRONT IN THE SAME BUILDING WITH AN EXISTING BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE AT THE FIRST FLOOR REAR IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE. NO CHANGE IN HEIGHT AND/OR AREA OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURE.SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN PER APPLICATION/PLAN."},{"number":"721786","date":"2016-10-04","work":"Major alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-10-17","scope":"FOR LEVEL II ALTERATIONS TO AN EXISTING TENANT SPACE FOR USE OF AN ART EXHIBIT WITH A MERCANTILE OCCUPANCY, ALTERATIONS TO INCLUDE THE ERECTION OF PARTITION WALLS, PROVIDE FINISHES AND FURNISHINGS THROUHGOUT. ALL WORK TO BE DONE PER APPROVED PLANS. TENANT SPACE IS FULLY SPRINKLERED. IF FIELD CONDITIONS VARY CONTACT DESIGN PROFESSIONAL PRIOR TO THE START OF ANY WORK. SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR ALL OTHER WORK."},{"number":"728487","date":"2016-10-12","work":"Administrative","type":"BP_ADMINST","description":"ADMINISTRATIVE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-10-17","scope":"FOR THE AMENDMENT OF AP#721786 TO CORRECT PERMIT LANGUAGE TO REFERENCE NO SPRINKLER SYSTEM REQUIRED FOR TENANT SPACE. ORIGINAL PERMIT APPROVED FOR LEVEL II ALTERATIONS TO AN EXISTING TENANT SPACE FOR USE OF AN ART EXHIBIT WITH A MERCANTILE OCCUPANCY, ALTERATIONS TO INCLUDE THE ERECTION OF PARTITION WALLS, PROVIDE FINISHES AND FURNISHINGS THROUHGOUT. ALL WORK TO BE DONE PER APPROVED PLANS. IF FIELD CONDITIONS VARY CONTACT DESIGN PROFESSIONAL PRIOR TO THE START OF ANY WORK. SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR ALL OTHER WORK."}],"storyTag":"New construction","storyDelta":null,"timeline":[{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Mechanical"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Suppression"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Use"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Use"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Major alteration"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Administrative"},{"y":2025,"k":"viol","w":"3 L&I violations"},{"y":2025,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed"},{"y":2026,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed ×3"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-25","signals":[{"kind":"record-pressure","level":"elevated","title":"Records to verify together","summary":"More than one separately dated public record deserves a current-status check.","evidence":["3 open L&I violations","failed L&I inspection activity in 2025, 2026"],"caveat":"A screening signal, not a foreclosure prediction. Tax entries are historical and must be verified with Philadelphia Revenue."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"use-occupancy","level":"attention","title":"Zoning approval is not the occupancy file","finding":"Use permit #443435: COMPLETED. The history also contains “PERM Z- NEW USE.”","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: 702982 (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":"3 open L&I violations","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":"5 failed, 1 passed, and 0 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was FAILED on Apr 8, 2026.","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":"building-certifications","level":"verify","title":"A fire-system permit exists, but no annual certification matched","finding":"5 fire/suppression-related permits matched; the fetched BIN certification feed returned no row.","why":"Installed systems in mixed-use and larger buildings generally require periodic certification, but applicability and limited-area exceptions vary. A missing BIN/address join is not proof of a compliance failure.","action":"Confirm what system was installed and whether a current annual certificate is required and filed.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/maintenance-certifications/fire-protection-certifications/"},{"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/"}]}