2026 taxable assessment $237,168 × 1.3998%. Estimate—not a bill or account balance.
OPA also publishes a 2027 assessment of $349,900; it is not the 2026 billed-year value.
House report
228 N 53rd St
3 stories · 5,070 sqft · RSA3 · built 1960
Owner-occupancy signal · assessed $299K (2026) · 2027 OPA assessment $350K · 2 licensed units. On the 200 block of N 53rd St.
BlockReport AI · cited public records
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Property summary
Assessment$298,7002026 OPA assessment · 2027: $349,900
Last sale$35KRecorded 1993
Est. tax bill$3,320/year2026 OPA · Homestead-adjusted
Tax delinquencyNo 2022 matchNot proof account is current
Permits11Every fetched City permit
Violations0 open1 historical across 1 case
“Open” reflects records available then historical records keep their source dates estimates are labeled
Question or correct this record
BlockReport can explain a discrepancy, but it cannot rewrite an official City record. Use the agency that owns the underlying fact:
Property tax
The estimate, live balance, and back-tax record are different.
BlockReport can calculate the annual tax from the City’s taxable assessment. Payments, credits, interest, and a current amount due live separately in Philadelphia Tax Center.
A Tax Center balance is net of bills, payments, credits, interest, and adjustments. A credit—or an amount due—is not automatically “back taxes.”
OPA 4411747002026 OPA removes $61,532 from the taxable assessment through the owner-occupant exemption.
Historical delinquency sources No current conclusion
This parcel did not match the June 2022 delinquency snapshot. That absence does not confirm the account is current today.
For a purchase, refinance, or closing, request the City’s official Property Payoff statement in Tax Center under “More options.”
What stands out
From the public recordNew construction
Record summarynew construction appears in a 2012 permit.
View supporting records →What to do with this
The record, translated into moves — what a buyer, the owner, and a landlord would each want to check next under Philadelphia's actual rules.
If you’re buying
Built 1960: lead rules apply
Federal law requires a lead-paint disclosure at sale for any pre-1978 home. If it will be rented, Philadelphia also requires a lead-safe or lead-free certificate before a rental license can issue.
The multi-unit use has a zoning appeal on record
Appeal #13277 was granted with conditions in 2010 for permit for an architects office on the first floor and for a single family dwelling above in the rear building on the same lot with an existing single family dwelling in the front building and for the erection of one (1) flatwall sign (12'x; the City row still reports status OPEN. Verify the registered use and certificate of occupancy with L&I instead of assuming the use predates the code.
If you’re the landlord
Lead certificate is not optional
Built 1960: every rental unit needs a lead-safe or lead-free certificate on file with the City. Without one: fines up to $2,000/day per unit, tenants may withhold rent, courts can order rent refunded — and no eviction will stand.
Licensed rental — keep it that way
Renewal requires city tax clearance and zero open L&I violations on the property. A lapsed license suspends the right to collect rent or evict.
Derived from the fetched property records and linked City guidance as of 2026. Assessment treatment is not a substitute for an exemption approval, live balance, title report, license, occupancy certificate, or inspection. Informational only — not legal, tax, or investment advice.
Assessment and tax history
Every fetched annual City assessment for this house, compared with its block and ZIP. The figures show assessment change, the billed-year tax estimate, dated tax records, and recorded transfers. They do not estimate market appreciation or investment return.
Assessed value
$298,700
2026 billed-year assessment · 2027: $349,900 · built 1960
Price / sq ft
$69
block $96 · below block
Assessment change
+84%
+6%/yr since 2016 · 2027 +17% vs 2026
Est. tax bill / yr
$3,320
1.11% effective
Jun 2022 tax snapshot
No match
not proof the account is current
Times sold
0
licensed rental
Assessment vs. the block and ZIP · every dated City record marked on the line
- OPA assessment · 2016$190K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2017$190K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2018$190K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2019$140K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2020$146K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2021$146K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2022$146K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2023$231K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2024$231K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2025$299K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2026$299K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2027$350K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- Permit · 2010-10-19Zoning/useThis permit category usually covers the property’s allowed use, dimensions, occupancy, or site configuration. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Appeal · 2010-10-19Zoning board appealA challenge or request reviewed through a City appeals process. Filing an appeal does not show who prevailed; read the decision, conditions, and related permit or violation.How Philadelphia L&I appeals work ↗
- Permit · 2010-12-17Major alterationA broad legacy permit work category for a substantial building alteration. It can include changed layouts, partitions, fixtures, finishes, structural work, or occupancy-related work, but only the approved scope and plans say what this permit actually authorized; separate trade permits may be required.What Philadelphia building permits can cover ↗
- Permit · 2012-06-05AdministrativeThis permit category usually covers construction, repair, alteration, addition, or occupancy work. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Permit · 2013-08-02New ConstructionThis permit category usually covers construction, repair, alteration, addition, or occupancy work. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Permit · 2014-05-02MechanicalThis permit category usually covers construction, repair, alteration, addition, or occupancy work. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Permit · 2014-06-25ZoningThis permit category usually covers the property’s allowed use, dimensions, occupancy, or site configuration. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Permit · 2014-11-21AdministrativeThis permit category usually covers construction, repair, alteration, addition, or occupancy work. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Permit · 2014-11-13Zoning admin reviewThis permit category usually covers the property’s allowed use, dimensions, occupancy, or site configuration. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Permit · 2015-03-06PlumbingThis permit category usually covers water, drainage, fixtures, or other plumbing work. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Permit · 2015-04-06SuppressionThis permit category usually covers fire-suppression systems or related life-safety work. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- L&I violation · 2015-02-02PERMP- ALTER/REPAIR/REPL PLUMBA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- Inspection · 2015-04-25PP_PLUMBA dated L&I visit or review. Its type describes the inspection program; the separate result and later rows show whether that visit passed, failed, or led to follow-up.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- License · 2004-10-28RentalA City license record tied to an activity or property use. Its issue, expiration, inactive, and status fields—not the category alone—show what was recorded for this date.Philadelphia L&I licenses and property records ↗
- Appeal · 2015-11-02Building standards appealA challenge or request reviewed through a City appeals process. Filing an appeal does not show who prevailed; read the decision, conditions, and related permit or violation.How Philadelphia L&I appeals work ↗
Property assessmentBlock median & rangeZIP 19139 medianAssessmentL&I violationAppealPermitInspectionLicense
Scroll horizontally to move through the years. Each icon sits on its recorded date; records without a day are labeled and centered within their year. Select one to explain the filing.
Highlight
Every dated record15 events · exact dates, newest first
- AppealBuilding standards appeal
- InspectionPP_PLUMB
- PermitSuppression
- PermitPlumbing
- L&I violationPERMP- ALTER/REPAIR/REPL PLUMB
- PermitAdministrative
- PermitZoning admin review
- PermitZoning
- PermitMechanical
- PermitNew Construction
- PermitAdministrative
- PermitMajor alteration
- PermitZoning/use
- AppealZoning board appeal
- LicenseRental
The paper trail
New constructionnew construction appears in a 2012 permit.
- 2012 AdministrativePermit
- 2013 New ConstructionPermit
- 2014 MechanicalPermitZoningPermitAdministrativePermitZoning admin reviewPermitAdministrativePermit
- 2015 PlumbingPermitSuppressionPermitL&I violationL&IL&I: 1 failed, 1 passedL&I visitAppeal approvedZoning
Records behind the chart
Browse the source ledger
The chart above is the primary timeline. This drawer preserves every underlying dated row and its filed status for source-level review.
Browse 17 dated records deeds, permits, inspections, licenses, violations, certifications & appeals
- AppealBuilding standards appeal
Appeal 26057 · CLOSED · APPROVED
Related permit 611058 · ON 8/20/15, THE DEPARTMENT OF LICENSES AND INSPECTIONS ISSUED A NOTICE OF REFUSAL FOR APPLICATION #611058.
- InvestigationPP_PLUMB
Case 467709 · PASSED
The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- PermitSuppression
Permit 595541 · COMPLETED
INSTALLATION OF SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH NFPA 13-D THROUGHOUT THE FIRST FLOOR OF AN EXISTING TWO (2) STORY REAR STRUCTURE. THIS IS A MULTIPURPOSE SYSTEM UTILIZING A COMBINED THREE-QUARTER INCH (3/4") DOMESTIC AND FIRE SERVICE LINE. SEPARATE PERMIT REQUIRED FOR ALL PLUMBING WORK.
- PermitPlumbing
Permit 594396 · COMPLETED
ROUGHIN WATER AND DRAIN LINES FOR 1 FULL BATH,1 HALF BATH AND 1 KITCHEN SINK-THE INSTALLATION WILL COMPLY WITH THE PHILADELPHIA PLUMBING CODE 2004
- ViolationPERMP- ALTER/REPAIR/REPL PLUMB
Case 467709 · Violation 3463680 · Code A-301.1/55 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- InvestigationPP_PLUMB
Case 467709 · FAILED
The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- PermitAdministrative
Permit 569574 · COMPLETED
AMENDMENT TO PERMIT# 311254 FOR CHANGE IN BUILDING LAYOUT FOR PROPOSED USE.
- PermitZoning admin review
Permit 569566 · COMPLETED
TO AMEND A/P NO 298095 (CAL NO 13277) TO CHANGE TO LOCATION OF THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED USES: FOR USE AS A DWELLING UNIT ON THE 1ST FLOOR OF THE REAR BUILDING AND BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE ON THE 2ND FLOOR OF THE REAR BUILDING. NO CHANGE IN HEIGHT OR AREA OF STRUCTURE, NO CHANGE IN USE OF FRONT BUILDING.
- PermitAdministrative
Permit 566784 · EXPIRED
EXTENSION OF PERMIT #311254 PER PA EXTENSION ACT. PERMIT EXTENDED TO JULY 1, 2016. WORK INCLUDES RENOVATIONS OF EXISTING STRUCTURE TO ACCOMMODATE SMALL OFFICE AND HC BATHROOM ON 1ST FLOOR AND RENOVATE 2ND FLOOR INTO A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.
- PermitZoning
Permit 541606 · COMPLETED
ERECTION OF 8' X 9' X 21" HIGH REAR DECK (PROPOSED DECK AREA 70 SQ. FT.) ACCESSORY TO AN EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING WITH DOG KENNEL IN REAR BLDG.
- PermitMechanical
Permit 514767 · COMPLETED
INSTALLATION OF GAS FIREPLACE PER MANUFACTURER'S INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
- PermitNew Construction
Permit 484653 · Expired
BRANCH CIRCUIT WIRING IN OFFICE AND DWELLING AREA OF BUILDING REPLACE EXISTING SERVICE EQUIPMENT INSTALL FIRE ALARM EQUIPMENT PER 2008 NEC & NFPA 72 (MIXED USE) BRANCH CIRCUIT WIRING IN OFFICE AND DWELLING AREA OF BUILDING REPLACE EXISTING SERVICE EQUIPMENT INSTALL FIRE ALARM EQUIPMENT PER 2008 NEC & NFPA 72 (MIXED USE)
- PermitAdministrative
Permit 408898 · EXPIRED
EXTENSION OF PERMIT #311254 PER PA EXTENSION ACT. PERMIT EXTENDED TO JULY 1, 2013. WORK INCLUDES RENOVATIONS OF EXISTING STRUCTURE TO ACCOMMODATE SMALL OFFICE AND HC BATHROOM ON 1ST FLOOR AND RENOVATE 2ND FLOOR INTO A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.
- PermitMajor alteration
Permit 311254 · EXPIRED
RENOVATIONS OF EXISTING STRUCTURE TO ACCOMMODATE SMALL OFFICE AND HC BATHROOM ON 1ST FLOOR AND RENOVATE 2ND FLOOR INTO A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING.
- PermitZoning/use
Permit 298095 · COMPLETED
USE OF REAR OF BLDG FROM A KENNEL AND VET OFFICE TO AN OFFICE FOR ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE AND CONVERT 2ND FLOOR OF THE REAR BLDG INTO 1 APT. INSTALL WALL SIGN INFRONT.
- AppealZoning board appeal
Appeal 13277 · OPEN · Granted with conditions
Related permit 298095 · PERMIT FOR AN ARCHITECTS OFFICE ON THE FIRST FLOOR AND FOR A SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING ABOVE IN THE REAR BUILDING ON THE SAME LOT WITH AN EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING IN THE FRONT BUILDING AND FOR THE ERECTION OF ONE (1) FLATWALL SIGN (12'X
- LicenseRental
License 254849 · Active
MICHAEL W JOHNS · Expires 2027-02-28
What this record suggests
The City file documents 11 permits touching kitchen work, bathroom work, electrical work, plumbing. 7 carries a completed, issued, or approved status; that documents the filing, not the present quality of the work.
Flags: active rental license · 2 zoning/board appeals on record. Informational only — not investment advice or a consumer report (FCRA).
The property, on paper
The city assessor's field record — the physical spec sheet behind the assessed number.
Stories
3
Interior
5,070 sqft
livable area
Lot
7,754 sqft
Garage
2 spaces
Exterior condition
Average
city code 4
Above averageBelow average
Interior condition
Average
city code 4
Above averageBelow average
Quality grade
A
assessor's grade
ABCDE
Zoning
RSA3
city zoning code
Zoning appeals
2
CLOSED · APPROVED · 2015
OPA field-assessment attributes. Condition and grade are the assessor's codes, not an inspection.
Run the numbers
What owning 228 N 53rd St takes, at your price and your rate. Taxes start with an annual estimate from the City’s taxable assessment, not a current bill or balance; rent starts at 2 licensed units × ~85% of the area's median unit rent — the whole building's income, not one unit's. Assessed value is not an asking price — set the price slider to the real one.
When this house last sold (1993) a 30-year mortgage ran about 7.31% — Freddie Mac's average that year.
Mortgage
—
P&I · 30-yr fixed
All-in monthly
—
+ taxes & insurance
Estimated cash needed
—
down + 4% planning allowance
Modeled cash flow
—
rent − shown costs · /mo
Modeled cap rate
—
modeled NOI ÷ price
Modeled cash-on-cash
—
modeled year-1 return
Scenario for orientation, not advice. Assumes a 30-year fixed loan, $1,400/yr insurance, 1% of price/yr maintenance, and buyer cash equal to the down payment plus 4%. Taxes use this parcel's taxable assessment, not a live Tax Center balance. Cash flow and returns exclude vacancy, management, utilities, HOA or condo fees, leasing costs, income tax, and unplanned capital work.
Block context
228 N 53rd St sits on the 200 block of N 53rd St. Open the block report to compare its parcels, ownership and public-record history.
See the whole block →Next door: 230 N 53rd St · 232-34 N 53rd St
Where this comes from
- Assessment, spec sheet & owner — OPA Property Assessments, Office of Property Assessment
- Sales & deed history — Realty Transfer Tax records, Recorder of Deeds
- Permits, violations & inspections — L&I Property History · Atlas
- Tax delinquency snapshot · June 2022 — Real Estate Tax Delinquencies, Dept. of Revenue
- Historical tax ledger & liens · through 2016 — Real Estate Tax Balances, Dept. of Revenue
- Current property-tax balance — Verify with Philadelphia Revenue
- Zoning appeals — L&I & Zoning Board appeals
- Neighborhood income & rents — US Census ACS 5-year estimates
- Historical mortgage rates — Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, annual averages
- Imagery — Street photo © Google · Aerial © Esri, Maxar
Methodology & freshness
This report was assembled Jul 10, 2026, 12:39 PM ET. Available City datasets are queried from OpenDataPhilly (phl.carto.com) and the cited City ArcGIS feeds; record queries paginate rather than silently taking a first page. For this property: Permits: queried · Violations: queried · Investigations: queried · Appeals: queried · Licenses: queried · Building certifications: queried. “Unavailable” means the source query failed or was not supplied, not “no record.” Reports re-pull on view after seven days and on an overnight rolling schedule; citywide benchmarks recompute weekly. Source dates still govern: the parcel-level tax-delinquency snapshot is June 2022 and the separate detailed tax ledger ends in 2016, so neither establishes today’s balance. The live balance and date-effective payoff must be verified in Tax Center. AI-written passages are grounded in the assembled record and rejected if they state a number the record does not hold.
Official city record ↗ · L&I history ↗ · See the whole block · Download this record (JSON)