2026 taxable assessment $205,000 × 1.3998%. Estimate—not a bill or account balance.
OPA also publishes a 2027 assessment of $190,100; it is not the 2026 billed-year value.
Mixed-use report
5538 N 5th St
2,612 sqft · CMX2.5 · built 1910
Individual, other or unknown mailing address · assessed $205K (2026) · 2027 OPA assessment $190K. On the 5500 block of N 5th St.
BlockReport AI · cited public records
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Property summary
Assessment$205,0002026 OPA assessment · 2027: $190,100
Last sale$181KRecorded 1993
Est. tax bill$2,870/year2026 taxable assessment × 1.3998%
Tax delinquencyNo 2022 matchNot proof account is current
Permits2Every fetched City permit
Violations0 open8 historical across 4 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 8715829702026 taxable assessment equals the full assessed value.
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 2020 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 1910: 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.
If you’re the landlord
If it is rented, verify the Rental License
The fetched license records do not show an active Rental License. Ownership type or a tax mailing address does not prove that tenants occupy the property; if it is rented, verify the current license and legal occupancy in eCLIPSE.
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 building, 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
$205,000
2026 billed-year assessment · 2027: $190,100 · built 1910
Price / sq ft
$73
Assessment change
+62%
+4%/yr since 2016 · 2027 -7% vs 2026
Est. tax bill / yr
$2,870
1.4% effective
Jun 2022 tax snapshot
No match
not proof the account is current
Times sold
0
Assessment vs. the block and ZIP · every dated City record marked on the line
- OPA assessment · 2016$118K 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$118K 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$169K 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$174K 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$176K 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$176K 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$176K 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$166K 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$166K 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$205K 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$205K 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$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 ↗
- Permit · 2020-04-14New 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 · 2026-05-12Change of 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 ↗
- L&I violation · 2015-05-23LICENSE-RES GENERALA 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 · 2015-05-23EGRESS EXIT SIGNS REQA 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 · 2015-05-23EGRESS DOOR OPENABLEA 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 · 2015-05-23PERM Z- NEW USEA 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 · 2018-07-06EXTINGUISHER MOUNTEDA 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 · 2018-07-06PULL STATION SIGNSA 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 · 2018-07-06MEANS OF EGRESS MAINTENANCEA 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 · 2018-07-19FIRE ALARM/DETECTION SYSTEMSA 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 · 2006-09-11BC INSP (likely: building-code inspection)Legacy inspection shorthand; confirm the inspection type and scope in the City case file.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- Inspection · 2006-09-27ADMIN INSP (likely: administrative inspection)Legacy inspection shorthand; the title alone does not state what condition was examined.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- Inspection · 2015-07-23HCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- Inspection · 2018-11-03HCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- Inspection · 2018-09-04CEASE INSP (likely: cease-operations compliance inspection)Legacy inspection shorthand; verify whether a cease-operations order existed and its current status.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- Inspection · 2020-02-05PRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)A follow-up before or during enforcement escalation; confirm the case sequence in the City file.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- License · 2003-03-06RentalA 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 ↗
- License · 2015-06-15RentalA 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 ↗
- Certification · 2026-04-19Fire Alarm CertificationA filed inspection or certification for a regulated building system or component. Check the result, expiration date, and latest filing before treating it as current.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- Appeal · 2018-08-21RB_LIRBA 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 19120 medianAssessmentL&I violationAppealPermitInspectionLicenseCertification
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 record20 events · exact dates, newest first
- PermitChange of Use
- CertificationFire Alarm Certification
- PermitNew Construction
- InspectionPRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)
- InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
- InspectionCEASE INSP (likely: cease-operations compliance inspection)
- AppealRB_LIRB
- L&I violationFIRE ALARM/DETECTION SYSTEMS
- L&I violationEXTINGUISHER MOUNTED
- L&I violationPULL STATION SIGNS
- L&I violationMEANS OF EGRESS MAINTENANCE
- InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
- LicenseRental
- L&I violationLICENSE-RES GENERAL
- L&I violationEGRESS EXIT SIGNS REQ
- L&I violationEGRESS DOOR OPENABLE
- L&I violationPERM Z- NEW USE
- InspectionADMIN INSP (likely: administrative inspection)
- InspectionBC INSP (likely: building-code inspection)
- LicenseRental
The paper trail
New constructionnew construction appears in a 2020 permit.
- 2006 L&I: 2 failed, 1 passedL&I visit
- 2015 4 L&I violationsL&IL&I: 1 failed, 1 passedL&I visit
- 2018 4 L&I violationsL&IL&I: 5 failed, 2 passedL&I visitAppeal city affirmedZoning
- 2020 New ConstructionPermitInspection passedL&I visit
- 2026 Change of UsePermit
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 27 dated records deeds, permits, inspections, licenses, violations, certifications & appeals
- PermitChange of Use
Permit ZP-2026-001305 · Issued
Retail Sales - Consumer Goods; Retail Sales - Food, Beverages, and Groceries
- CertificationFire Alarm Certification
Certification BC-2026-010866 · Certified
Expires 2027-04-19
- PermitNew Construction
Permit 1041739 · Completed
REINSTALL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM AS PER NFPA 72
- InvestigationPRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)
Case 644829 · PASSED
A follow-up before or during enforcement escalation; confirm the case sequence in the City file. The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 644829 · CLOSED
A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 644829 · FAILED
A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- InvestigationCEASE INSP (likely: cease-operations compliance inspection)
Case 642742 · PASSED
Legacy inspection shorthand; verify whether a cease-operations order existed and its current status. The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 642743 · PASSED
A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- AppealRB_LIRB
Appeal 34337 · OPEN · City affirmed
Related permit 642742 · OWNER NEVER RECEIVED L&I CODE VIOLATIONS IN A TIMELY FASHION SO ASKS TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL TIME TO CORRECT THE VIOLATION.
- ViolationFIRE ALARM/DETECTION SYSTEMS
Case 644829 · Violation 5147916 · Code FC-13-10573 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- InvestigationCEASE INSP (likely: cease-operations compliance inspection)
Case 642742 · FAILED
Legacy inspection shorthand; verify whether a cease-operations order existed and its current status. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 642742 · CLOSED
A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.
- ViolationEXTINGUISHER MOUNTED
Case 642742 · Violation 4745705 · Code FC-13-906.7 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationPULL STATION SIGNS
Case 642742 · Violation 4745706 · Code FC-13-907.51 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationMEANS OF EGRESS MAINTENANCE
Case 642743 · Violation 4731375 · Code FC-13-1016.1 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 642743 · FAILED
A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 482045 · PASSED
A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- LicenseRental
License 668211 · Inactive
CHARLIE & SOOKIE C CHOE · Expires 2016-06-30 · Inactive 2016-08-29
- ViolationLICENSE-RES GENERAL
Case 482045 · Violation 3570152 · Code PM-102.0/1 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationEGRESS EXIT SIGNS REQ
Case 482045 · Violation 3570151 · Code FC-1011.1/1 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationEGRESS DOOR OPENABLE
Case 482045 · Violation 3570150 · Code FC-1008.1/3 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationPERM Z- NEW USE
Case 482045 · Violation 3570149 · Code A-301.1/65 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 482045 · FAILED
A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- InvestigationADMIN INSP (likely: administrative inspection)
Case 69366 · PASSED
Legacy inspection shorthand; the title alone does not state what condition was examined. The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- InvestigationBC INSP (likely: building-code inspection)
Case 69366 · FAILED
Legacy inspection shorthand; confirm the inspection type and scope in the City case file. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- InvestigationBC INSP (likely: building-code inspection)
Case 69366 · CLOSED
Legacy inspection shorthand; confirm the inspection type and scope in the City case file. City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.
- LicenseRental
License 235052 · Inactive
HYON C CHOE · Expires 2008-02-29 · Inactive 2012-12-22
What this record suggests
The City file documents 2 permits touching electrical work. 2 carries a completed, issued, or approved status; that documents the filing, not the present quality of the work.
Flags: 1 zoning/board appeal 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.
Interior
2,612 sqft
livable area
Lot
1,725 sqft
Exterior condition
Below average
city code 5
Above averageBelow average
Interior condition
Below average
city code 5
Above averageBelow average
Quality grade
C
assessor's grade
ABCDE
Zoning
CMX2.5
city zoning code
Zoning appeals
1
OPEN · City affirmed · 2018
OPA field-assessment attributes. Condition and grade are the assessor's codes, not an inspection.
Run the numbers
What owning 5538 N 5th 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 the area median. 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
5538 N 5th St sits on the 5500 block of N 5th St. Open the block report to compare its parcels, ownership and public-record history.
See the whole block →Next door: 5536 N 5th St · 5540 N 5th 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
- Imagery — Street photo © Google · Aerial © Esri, Maxar
Methodology & freshness
This report was assembled Jul 11, 2026, 1:03 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)