{"asOf":"2026-07-27T15:54:20.103Z","block":"4800-4899 JAMES ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/4800-4899-james-st","address":"4855 JAMES ST","parcelNumber":"885952600","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=885952600","ownerType":"vacant","kind":"vacant land","isHouse":false,"home":false,"commercial":false,"residential":false,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"SB","buildingCodeNew":null,"buildingClass":"VACANT LAND BILLBOARD","buildingClassNew":null,"useLabel":"Vacant lot","owner":"RT 413 L P","coOwner":null,"marketValue":5900,"landAssessment":5900,"improvementAssessment":0,"livableArea":null,"yearBuilt":null,"lastSale":{"price":275000,"date":"1998-05-14T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[],"violationCases":[],"investigations":[],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":40.008765206799744,"lng":-75.07227919242423,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.072296344,40.008706528],[-75.07231618,40.008788662],[-75.072225054,40.00880043],[-75.072296344,40.008706528]]]},"liDistrict":"EAST","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19137","beds":null,"baths":null,"stories":null,"lotArea":398,"zoning":"I2","grade":null,"basement":null,"heater":null,"centralAir":null,"extCond":null,"intCond":null,"garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"3025 NEW RODGERS RD, BRISTOL PA, 19007","mailOut":true,"appeals":[{"type":"Zoning board appeal","grounds":"PERMIT FOR REFACING AN EXISTING NON ACCESSORY FREE STANDING DOUBLE FACED PYLON SIGN WITH 4 MESSAGING PANELS (2 PANELS ON EACH SIDE) WITH 4 SIGN PANELS OF ELECTRONICALLY CHANGEABLE  MESSAGE (2 PANELS ON EACH SIDE) WITHOUT CHANGING THE SIZE D","status":"CLOSED","outcome":"Granted","date":"2010-04-14","number":"10894","relatedPermit":"242326"}],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":0,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":101100,"taxable":101100,"land":101100,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":101100,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":101100,"taxable":101100,"land":101100,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":101100,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":202700,"taxable":202700,"land":202700,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":202700,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":208000,"taxable":208000,"land":208000,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":208000,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":208000,"taxable":208000,"land":208000,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":208000,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":208000,"taxable":208000,"land":208000,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":208000,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":208000,"taxable":208000,"land":208000,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":208000,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":187200,"taxable":187200,"land":187200,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":187200,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2024,"v":187200,"taxable":187200,"land":187200,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":187200,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2025,"v":187200,"taxable":187200,"land":187200,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":187200,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":187200,"taxable":187200,"land":187200,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":187200,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":5900,"taxable":5900,"land":5900,"improvement":0,"taxableLand":5900,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":2620,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"242326","date":"2010-05-03","work":"Zoning/use","type":"ZP_ZON/USE","description":"ZONING/USE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2010-05-03","scope":"REFACING OF EXISTING; F/S, D/S, D/F-FACE OUTDOOR ADVERTISING SIGN 2 SIDES EACH PANEL FACE AND REPLACING WITH DIGITAL PANELS ON EACH FACE (4 FACES TOTAL), WITH NO CHANGE TO SIGN OR DIMENSION SIZE OR LOCATION"}],"storyTag":"Improved","storyDelta":null,"timeline":[{"y":2010,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal granted"},{"y":2010,"k":"permit","w":"Zoning/use"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-25","signals":[],"legalChecks":[{"id":"use-occupancy","level":"attention","title":"Zoning approval is not the occupancy file","finding":"Use permit #242326: COMPLETED.","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/"}],"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/"}]}