{"asOf":"2026-07-10T05:19:19.696Z","block":"3700-3799 GERMANTOWN AVE","blockUrl":"https://blockreport.homes/block/3700-3799-germantown-ave","address":"3736-38 GERMANTOWN AVE","parcelNumber":"882929570","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=882929570","ownerType":"absentee","kind":"commercial","isHouse":false,"residential":false,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingClass":"STR/OFF 3 STY MASONRY","useLabel":"Commercial","owner":"LIM MEILIN","coOwner":"LIM KUY","marketValue":366200,"livableArea":3312,"yearBuilt":1930,"lastSale":{"price":85000,"date":"2016-09-07T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2024-020034","date":"2024-03-26","title":"FAIL OBTAIN LICENSE\n","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2026-03-31"},{"number":"VI-2024-020021","date":"2024-03-26","title":"PERIODIC TESTING\n","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2024-09-21"},{"number":"VI-2024-020018","date":"2024-03-26","title":"NEW USE OCCUPIED PRIOR TO CO","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-02-18"},{"number":"VI-2024-020013","date":"2024-03-26","title":"NEW USE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2024-09-21"},{"number":"VI-2024-020032","date":"2024-03-26","title":"SUBMISSION OF CERTIFICATIONS\n","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-11-05"},{"number":"VI-2024-020023","date":"2024-03-26","title":"COMMERCIAL SYSTEM TEST\n","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-11-05"},{"number":"VI-2024-082060","date":"2024-09-26","title":"CAL LICENSE OBTAIN","status":"CLOSED","resolutionDate":"2024-11-04"},{"number":"VI-2024-100279","date":"2024-12-21","title":"VIOLATED CEASE OPERATIONS ORDER","status":"SVN ISSUED","resolutionDate":"2024-12-24"}],"violationCases":[{"number":"CF-2024-024523","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"QOL NUISANCE PROPERTY INVESTIGATOR","status":"IN VIOLATION - COURT","createdDate":"2024-03-26","completedDate":null,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2024-020034","date":"2024-03-26","title":"FAIL OBTAIN LICENSE\n","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2026-03-31"},{"number":"VI-2024-020021","date":"2024-03-26","title":"PERIODIC TESTING\n","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2024-09-21"},{"number":"VI-2024-020018","date":"2024-03-26","title":"NEW USE OCCUPIED PRIOR TO CO","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-02-18"},{"number":"VI-2024-020013","date":"2024-03-26","title":"NEW USE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2024-09-21"},{"number":"VI-2024-020032","date":"2024-03-26","title":"SUBMISSION OF CERTIFICATIONS\n","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-11-05"},{"number":"VI-2024-020023","date":"2024-03-26","title":"COMMERCIAL SYSTEM TEST\n","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2025-11-05"}]},{"number":"CF-2024-106713","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"BUSINESS COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATOR","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2024-09-27","completedDate":"2024-11-04","violations":[{"number":"VI-2024-082060","date":"2024-09-26","title":"CAL LICENSE OBTAIN","status":"CLOSED","resolutionDate":"2024-11-04"}]},{"number":"CF-2024-129312","type":"SITE VIOLATION NOTICE","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"NPU AFTER HOURS INVESTIGATOR","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2024-12-24","completedDate":"2025-05-13","violations":[{"number":"VI-2024-100279","date":"2024-12-21","title":"VIOLATED CEASE OPERATIONS ORDER","status":"SVN ISSUED","resolutionDate":"2024-12-24"}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2024,"n":8,"worst":null}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-024523","date":"2024-03-27","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-024523","date":"2024-06-30","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-024523","date":"2024-09-22","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-106713","date":"2024-09-27","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-106713","date":"2024-11-04","type":null,"status":"PASSED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-024523","date":"2024-12-12","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-129312","date":"2024-12-24","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-024523","date":"2025-11-05","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-024523","date":"2026-01-08","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2024-024523","date":"2026-03-31","type":null,"status":"FAILED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2024,"fails":6,"passes":1},{"y":2025,"fails":1,"passes":0},{"y":2026,"fails":2,"passes":0}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":40.010361988902105,"lng":-75.15149317927366,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.151317064,40.010353488],[-75.151629733,40.010274048],[-75.151670195,40.01036875],[-75.15135809,40.01045099],[-75.151317064,40.010353488]]]},"liDistrict":"NORTH","certifications":[{"number":"BC-2024-021766","type":"Fire Alarm Certification","inspectionDate":"2024-07-31","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2025-07-31","buildingId":"1212084"},{"number":"BC-2025-005271","type":"Special Hazards Certification","inspectionDate":"2025-02-21","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2026-02-21","buildingId":"1212084"},{"number":"BC-2025-017296","type":"Fire Alarm Certification","inspectionDate":"2025-06-25","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2026-06-25","buildingId":"1212084"},{"number":"BC-2025-021225","type":"Special Hazards Certification","inspectionDate":"2025-08-11","result":"Certified","expirationDate":"2026-08-11","buildingId":"1212084"}],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19140","beds":null,"baths":null,"stories":null,"lotArea":3312,"zoning":"CMX3","grade":"C","basement":null,"heater":null,"centralAir":null,"extCond":"4","intCond":"4","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"3801 GERMANTOWN AVE, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19140","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":2,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":268300,"taxable":268300},{"y":2017,"v":268300,"taxable":268300},{"y":2018,"v":136400,"taxable":136400},{"y":2019,"v":237800,"taxable":237800},{"y":2020,"v":239500,"taxable":239500},{"y":2021,"v":239500,"taxable":239500},{"y":2022,"v":239500,"taxable":239500},{"y":2023,"v":261700,"taxable":261700},{"y":2024,"v":261700,"taxable":261700},{"y":2025,"v":261700,"taxable":261700},{"y":2026,"v":261700,"taxable":261700},{"y":2027,"v":366200,"taxable":366200}],"taxNow":3663,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"846469","date":"2018-01-19","work":"Demolition","type":"BP_DEMO","description":"DEMOLITION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2019-07-23","scope":"EZ INTERIOR DEMOLITION - FOR THE INTERIOR DEMOLITION ON NON-BEARING PARTITION WALL AND CEILINGS AS PER ATTACHED STANDARD. DEVIATIONS FROM THESE STANDARDS REQUIRE SUBMISSION OF CONSTRUCTION AND SITE PLANS. PLEASE CALL THE INSPECTOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE START OF WORK. CONTRACTOR HAS NO EMPLOYEES PER THE NOTARIZED LETTER."},{"number":"863661","date":"2018-04-02","work":"Use","type":"ZP_USE","description":"USE PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2018-04-02","scope":"VACANT COMMERCIAL SPACE IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE ."},{"number":"889437","date":"2018-10-03","work":"Major alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2020-02-07","scope":"FOR EXTERIOR ALTERATIONS TO INCLUDE NEW STOREFRONT GLAZING, SECURITY GATE INSTALLATION, AND EXTERIOR RAMP/STAIRS. (IEBC 2009, WORK-AREA METHOD, LVL II ALTERATIONS) [NO INTERIOR ALTERATIONS UNDER THIS PERMIT]"},{"number":"858297","date":"2019-02-27","work":"Major alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"ABANDONED","completedDate":null,"scope":"FOR PRESCRIPTIVE ALTERATIONS WITH A COMPLETE CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION FROM A GROUP A-2 TAVERN TENANT TO A VACANT COMMERCIAL SPACE (SEPARATE USE REGISTRATION PERMIT AND CO REQUIRED PRIOR TO OCCUPANCY), ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF AN EXISTING SINGLE-STORY ATTACHED STRUCTURE, AS PER PLANS; TO INCLUDE INSTALLATION OF NEW STOREFRONT WINDOWS WITHIN FRONT WALL, AND FOR ERECTION OF NEW ADA RAMP; NO OTHER WORK ON THIS PERMIT; BUILDING IS CURRENTLY NOT SPRINKLERED; NO SIGNS ON THIS PERMIT."},{"number":"946819","date":"2019-03-07","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2020-02-07","scope":"REWIRE AND FITOUT NEW LIGHTING AND OUTLETS AND EXIT LIGHTING AND EMERGENCY LIGHTING AS PER 2008 NEC. (NORTH DIST)"},{"number":"ZP-2021-006027","date":"2021-07-13","work":"Change of Use","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Issued","completedDate":null,"scope":"Eating and Drinking Establishments - Sit-Down Restaurant; Commissaries and Catering Services"},{"number":"AP-2021-007323","date":"2021-08-17","work":"Certificate of Occupancy (CO) (may inclu…","type":"Administrative","description":"Administrative Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2025-02-15","scope":"Certificate of Occupancy for 1st floor. No work on this permit."},{"number":"ZP-2024-007320","date":"2024-07-24","work":"Change of Use","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Issued","completedDate":null,"scope":"Eating and Drinking Establishments - Sit-Down Restaurant"},{"number":"ZP-2024-003337","date":null,"work":"Change of Use","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Denied","completedDate":null,"scope":null}],"storyTag":"Improved","storyDelta":0,"timeline":[{"y":2018,"k":"permit","w":"Demolition"},{"y":2018,"k":"permit","w":"Use"},{"y":2018,"k":"permit","w":"Major alteration"},{"y":2019,"k":"permit","w":"Major alteration"},{"y":2019,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Change of Use"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Certificate of Occupancy (CO) (may inclu…"},{"y":2024,"k":"viol","w":"8 L&I violations"},{"y":2024,"k":"permit","w":"Change of Use"},{"y":2024,"k":"insp","w":"L&I: 6 failed, 1 passed"},{"y":2025,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed"},{"y":2026,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed ×2"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[{"number":"209261","type":"Food Preparing and Serving (30+ SEATS)","status":"Inactive","businessName":"ROYS GERMANTOWN INC","revenueCode":"3121","rentalCategory":null,"units":null,"issuedDate":"2004-05-13","latestIssueDate":"2016-05-03","expirationDate":"2017-04-30","inactiveDate":"2017-06-29"}],"signals":[],"legalChecks":[{"id":"use-occupancy","level":"attention","title":"Zoning approval is not the occupancy file","finding":"Use permit #863661: COMPLETED. The history also contains “NEW USE OCCUPIED PRIOR TO CO.”","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":"2 permits not marked completed: 858297 (ABANDONED), ZP-2024-003337 (Denied).","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":"building-certifications","level":"attention","title":"A life-safety certification appears expired","finding":"Fire Alarm Certification: Certified through Jun 25, 2026; Special Hazards Certification: Certified through Aug 11, 2026","why":"Fire-protection certifications apply to the named system and inspection period only; they are not a whole-building safety certificate. Philadelphia generally requires annual sprinkler, standpipe, fire-alarm, special-hazard, and emergency-power inspections where those systems exist.","action":"Request the correction/reinspection and current filed certificate.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/maintenance-certifications/fire-protection-certifications/"},{"id":"investigations","level":"verify","title":"Failed inspections are dated events—not the current condition","finding":"9 failed, 1 passed, and 0 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was FAILED on Mar 31, 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":"business-license","level":"verify","title":"A historical business license is not current operating authority","finding":"Food Preparing and Serving (30+ SEATS) #209261: Inactive since Jun 29, 2017","why":"A license record proves the licensed activity existed at that time. An inactive or expired license does not establish that the business still operates—or that it may legally reopen under the same use.","action":"If business income matters, verify the current tenant, use registration, and active license in eCLIPSE.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/licenses/business-licenses/"},{"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/"},{"id":"violations","level":"clear","title":"No open violation; closed history remains relevant","finding":"The fetched record shows 0 open and 8 historical violations across 3 cases.","why":"A closed case is materially better than an open one, but it does not by itself prove that every altered use, unit, or concealed condition matches today’s approvals.","action":"Use the closed cases to target the inspection and occupancy-file review.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/violation-and-order-types/"}],"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/"}]}