2026 taxable assessment $87,000 × 1.3998%. Estimate—not a bill or account balance.
OPA also publishes a 2027 assessment of $203,000; it is not the 2026 billed-year value.
House report
4538 Vista St
3 bd · 1 ba · 2 stories · 1,072 sqft · RSA5 · built 1950
Owner-occupancy signal · assessed $187K (2026) · 2027 OPA assessment $203K · sold 2×. On the 4500 block of Vista St.
BlockReport AI · cited public records
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Property summary
Assessment$187,0002026 OPA assessment · 2027: $203,000
Last sale$116KRecorded 2009
Est. tax bill$1,218/year2026 OPA · Homestead-adjusted
Tax delinquencyNo 2022 matchNot proof account is current
Permits2Every fetched City permit
Violations0 open3 historical across 2 cases
“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 4121994002026 OPA removes $100,000 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 recordPermit on record
Record summary$20K transfer recorded in 2000. Bathroom & Kitchen Remodel permit recorded in 2025.
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 1950: 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.
Zoned RSA5: one household by right
Single-family rowhouse (the classic Philly row). Converting to a duplex or apartments needs a use variance the zoning board rarely grants — Pennsylvania courts require a physical hardship of the lot itself, and economics alone do not qualify.
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
$187,000
2026 billed-year assessment · 2027: $203,000 · built 1950
Price / sq ft
$189
block $189 · in line w/ block
Assessment change
+94%
+6%/yr since 2016 · 2027 +9% vs 2026
Est. tax bill / yr
$1,218
0.65% effective
Jun 2022 tax snapshot
No match
not proof the account is current
Times sold
2
Assessment vs. the block and ZIP · every dated City record marked on the line
- OPA assessment · 2016$105K 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$105K 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$105K 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$101K 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$106K 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$106K 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$106K 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$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 · 2024$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 · 2025$187K 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$187K 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$203K 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 ↗
- Deed / sale · 2000Deed / sale $20KA recorded real-estate document or transfer event. The amount and date can be useful history, but the underlying deed and transfer-tax filing control the parties, consideration, and legal effect.How to read the recorded document ↗
- Deed / sale · 2009Deed / sale $116KA recorded real-estate document or transfer event. The amount and date can be useful history, but the underlying deed and transfer-tax filing control the parties, consideration, and legal effect.How to read the recorded document ↗
- Permit · 2015-07-30Major 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 · 2025-08-08Bathroom & Kitchen RemodelThis 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 ↗
- L&I violation · 2014-08-11HIGH WEEDS-CUTA 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 ↗
- L&I violation · 2014-08-11CLIP VIOLATION NOTICEA 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 ↗
- L&I violation · 2015-07-13WALL PARTIALLY COLLAPSEDA 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 · 2015-10-30CSUINITIALA 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 ↗
- Inspection · 2016-08-05CSUINITIALA 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 ↗
Property assessmentBlock median & rangeZIP 19136 medianAssessmentDeed / saleL&I violationPermitInspection
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 record9 events · exact dates, newest first
- PermitBathroom & Kitchen Remodel
- InspectionCSUINITIAL
- InspectionCSUINITIAL
- PermitMajor alteration
- L&I violationWALL PARTIALLY COLLAPSED
- L&I violationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
- L&I violationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
- Deed / saleDeed / sale $116K
- Deed / saleDeed / sale $20K
The paper trail
Permit on record$20K transfer recorded in 2000. Bathroom & Kitchen Remodel permit recorded in 2025.
- 2000 $20KTransfer
- 2009 $116KTransfer
- 2014 2 L&I violationsL&I
- 2015 L&I violationL&IMajor alterationPermitInspection failed ×4L&I visit
- 2016 Inspection passedL&I visit
- 2025 Bathroom & Kitchen RemodelPermit
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 9 dated records deeds, permits, inspections, licenses, violations, certifications & appeals
- PermitBathroom & Kitchen Remodel
Permit PP-2025-010081 · Completed
REPLACE LAV, TUB & WC.
- InvestigationCSUINITIAL
Case 490936 · PASSED
The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- InvestigationCSUINITIAL
Case 490936 · FAILED
The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- PermitMajor alteration
Permit 628396 · COMPLETED
MAKE SAFE PERMIT - DEMOLISH THE DECK ON THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY(WHICH WAS DAMAGE FROM THE IMPACT OF A CAR) TO RESOLVE CASE 490936. ABUTTING SIDEWALK MUST BE CLOSED WITH FENCING A MINIMUM OF 6’ IN HEIGHT. SEPARATE STREETS DEPARTMENT PERMIT REQUIRED FOR SIDEWALK CLOSURE. A SEPARATE PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR ANY ADDITIONAL ALTERATIONS THAT ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED ON CASE 490936. HOME OWNER PERFORMING THE WORK-NO CONTRACTORS
- ViolationWALL PARTIALLY COLLAPSED
Case 490936 · Violation 3758129 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
Case 447494 · Violation 3289239 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 447494 · Violation 3289238 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- Recorded transfer$116K transfer
2009
- Recorded transfer$20K transfer
2000
What this record suggests
The City file documents 2 permits touching kitchen work, bathroom work, plumbing. 2 carries a completed, issued, or approved status; that documents the filing, not the present quality of the work.
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.
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
1
Stories
2
Interior
1,072 sqft
livable area
Lot
980 sqft
Basement
Partial, semi-finished
city code F
Heat
Radiant
city code G
Central air
No
Garage
1 space
Exterior condition
Average
city code 4
Above averageBelow average
Interior condition
Average
city code 4
Above averageBelow average
Quality grade
C
assessor's grade
ABCDE
Zoning
RSA5
city zoning code
OPA field-assessment attributes. Condition and grade are the assessor's codes, not an inspection.
Block context
4538 Vista St sits on the 4500 block of Vista St. Open the block report to compare its parcels, ownership and public-record history.
See the whole block →Next door: 4536 Vista St · 4540 Vista 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, 7:12 AM 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)