2026 taxable assessment $80,500 × 1.3998%. Estimate—not a bill or account balance.
OPA also publishes a 2027 assessment of $168,600; it is not the 2026 billed-year value.
Multi-family report
961 Marcella St
5 bd · 2 ba · 2 stories · 1,020 sqft · RSA5 · built 1940
Owner-occupancy signal · assessed $181K (2026) · 2027 OPA assessment $169K · sold 3×. On the 900 block of Marcella St.
BlockReport AI · cited public records
Ask what this property record means.
Open the research chat with this property already in context. Curated questions are free.
Property summary
Assessment$180,5002026 OPA assessment · 2027: $168,600
Last sale$250KRecorded 2024
Est. tax bill$1,127/year2026 OPA · Homestead-adjusted
Tax delinquencyNo 2022 matchNot proof account is current
Permits2Every fetched City permit
Violations0 open8 historical across 5 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 3511299002026 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 between transfers
Record summary$135K transfer in 2019; change of use permit in 2022; $250K transfer in 2024 (+339% between recorded amounts).
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 1940: 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 #ZP-2021-007395 was granted with conditions in 2022 for permit for a multi-family household living (three (3) dwelling units) in an existing structure.; the City row still reports status Completed. Verify the registered use and certificate of occupancy with L&I instead of assuming the use predates the code.
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
$180,500
2026 billed-year assessment · 2027: $168,600 · built 1940
Price / sq ft
$165
block $152 · above block
Assessment change
+84%
+6%/yr since 2016 · 2027 -7% vs 2026
Est. tax bill / yr
$1,127
0.62% effective
Jun 2022 tax snapshot
No match
not proof the account is current
Times sold
3
Assessment vs. the block and ZIP · every dated City record marked on the line
- OPA assessment · 2016$92K 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$92K 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$92K 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$103K 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$108K 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$108K 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$108K 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$181K 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$181K 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$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 ↗
- Deed / sale · 2019Deed / sale $135KA 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 · 2024Deed / sale $250KA 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 · 2016-03-22PlumbingThis 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 · 2022-06-22Change 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 · 2008-05-02VACANT PROP STANDARD (likely: vacant-property enforcement standard)A legacy L&I label associated with vacant-property requirements. It may concern licensing, securing, or maintaining a vacant structure; the notice and cited code control, and this row alone does not prove the property is vacant now.Read Philadelphia Code §9-3905 ↗
- L&I violation · 2008-05-02LICENSE-VAC RES BLDG (vacant residential building license required)This usually records a requirement to obtain a Vacant Structure License for an unoccupied residential building. Check later license and compliance rows because it does not establish present vacancy or an unresolved violation.How the City licenses vacant residential property ↗
- L&I violation · 2008-11-28COULD NOT ENTERA 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 · 2008-11-28HCEU 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 ↗
- L&I violation · 2013-04-09LICENSE-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 · 2016-04-19CLIP 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 · 2016-04-19RUBBISH/GARBAGE EXTERIOR-OWNERA 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 · 2022-06-10RUBBISH & GARBAGEA 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 · 2023-12-15RUBBISH & GARBAGEA 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 · 2023-12-15L&I investigationA 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 · 2004-10-13L_CLIPA 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 · 2006-07-27HCEU 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 · 2007-08-21HCEU 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 · 2009-01-21HCEU 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 · 2010-03-15L_CLIPA 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 · 2013-07-12HCEU 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 · 2022-06-16L&I investigationA 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 · 2024-01-02L&I investigationA 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 · 2007-04-20RentalA 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 · 2014-12-02Vacant Residential Property / LotA 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 · 2016-09-07RentalA 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 · 2023-09-08RentalA 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 · 2022-07-06ZBA Permit Denial - VarianceA 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 19124 medianAssessmentDeed / saleL&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 record27 events · exact dates, newest first
- InspectionL&I investigation
- Deed / saleDeed / sale $250K
- L&I violationRUBBISH & GARBAGE
- InspectionL&I investigation
- LicenseRental
- AppealZBA Permit Denial - Variance
- PermitChange of Use
- InspectionL&I investigation
- L&I violationRUBBISH & GARBAGE
- Deed / saleDeed / sale $135K
- LicenseRental
- L&I violationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
- L&I violationRUBBISH/GARBAGE EXTERIOR-OWNER
- PermitPlumbing
- LicenseVacant Residential Property / Lot
- InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
- L&I violationLICENSE-RES GENERAL
- InspectionL_CLIP
- InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
- L&I violationCOULD NOT ENTER
- InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
- L&I violationVACANT PROP STANDARD (likely: vacant-property enforcement standard)
- L&I violationLICENSE-VAC RES BLDG (vacant residential building license required)
- InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
- LicenseRental
- InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
- InspectionL_CLIP
The paper trail
Permit between transfers$135K transfer in 2019; change of use permit in 2022; $250K transfer in 2024 (+339% between recorded amounts).
- 2013 Inspection failed ×2L&I visit
- 2016 PlumbingPermit2 L&I violationsL&I
- 2019 $135KTransfer
- 2022 Change of UsePermitL&I violationL&IAppeal granted with conditionsZoningL&I: 1 failed, 1 passedL&I visit
- 2023 L&I violationL&IInspection failedL&I visit
- 2024 L&I: 1 failed, 1 passedL&I visit$250KTransfer
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 31 dated records deeds, permits, inspections, licenses, violations, certifications & appeals
- InvestigationL&I investigation
Case CF-2023-126803 · FAILED
The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- InvestigationL&I investigation
Case CF-2023-126803 · PASSED
The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- Recorded transfer$250K transfer
2024
- ViolationRUBBISH & GARBAGE
Case CF-2023-126803 · Violation VI-2023-096771 · Code PM15-308.1 · COMPLIED
Resolution: COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- LicenseRental
License 932683 · Inactive
James Whalen · Expires 2025-09-07 · Inactive 2025-11-05
- AppealZBA Permit Denial - Variance
Appeal ZP-2021-007395 · Completed · Granted with conditions
Related permit ZP-2021-007395 · PERMIT FOR A MULTI-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING (THREE (3) DWELLING UNITS) IN AN EXISTING STRUCTURE.
- PermitChange of Use
Permit ZP-2021-007395 · Issued
Residential - Household Living - Two-Family
- InvestigationL&I investigation
Case CF-2022-056403 · PASSED
The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- ViolationRUBBISH & GARBAGE
Case CF-2022-056403 · Violation VI-2022-041225 · Code PM15-308.1 · CLOSED
Resolution: CLOSED - WRITTEN IN ERROR City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.
- InvestigationL&I investigation
Case CF-2022-056403 · FAILED
The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- Recorded transfer$135K transfer
2019
- LicenseRental
License 713411 · Closed
3534N8thSt Limited · Expires 2017-09-06
- ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
Case 528504 · Violation 3903735 · Code CP-01 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationRUBBISH/GARBAGE EXTERIOR-OWNER
Case 528504 · Violation 3903736 · Code CP-305 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- PermitPlumbing
Permit 678166 · COMPLETED
REPLACE WATER DIST .75INCH FROM MAIN TO METER - PA# 2016-0813040 "SELF-CERTIFICATION'S ARE NO LONGER PERMITTED" - "ALL EXCAVATIONS AND PLUMBING TRENCHES IN EXCESS OF 5 FEET IN DEPTH MUST HAVE APPROVED SHORING IN PLACE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION"
- LicenseVacant Residential Property / Lot
License 648788 · Inactive
SETERUS INC (RDF FIELD SERVICES AGT) · Expires 2015-02-28 · Inactive 2015-04-29
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 375481 · 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 375481 · 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.
- ViolationLICENSE-RES GENERAL
Case 375481 · Violation 2864911 · Code PM-102.0/1 · CLOSEDCASE
City marked the case closed; that does not mean the original condition never existed.
- InvestigationL_CLIP
Case 33741 · PASSED
The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 158254 · 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.
- ViolationCOULD NOT ENTER
Case 158254 · Violation 1171979 · Code A.CNE.000 · 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 158254 · 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 72722 · 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.
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 75603 · 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.
- ViolationVACANT PROP STANDARD (likely: vacant-property enforcement standard)
Case 158254 · Violation 1171976 · Code PM-306.0/1 · COMPLIED
A legacy L&I label associated with vacant-property requirements. It may concern licensing, securing, or maintaining a vacant structure; the notice and cited code control, and this row alone does not prove the property is vacant now. City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationLICENSE-VAC RES BLDG (vacant residential building license required)
Case 158254 · Violation 1171977 · Code PM-102.4/2 · COMPLIED
This usually records a requirement to obtain a Vacant Structure License for an unoccupied residential building. Check later license and compliance rows because it does not establish present vacancy or an unresolved violation. 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 75603 · 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.
- LicenseRental
License 407376 · Inactive
MIGUEL GONZALEZ (ANGEL GONZALEZ) · Expires 2012-02-29 · Inactive 2012-12-22
- InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
Case 72722 · 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.
- InvestigationL_CLIP
Case 33741 · FAILED
The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
What this record suggests
The City file documents 2 permits touching plumbing. 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.
Bedrooms
5
Bathrooms
2
Stories
2
Interior
1,020 sqft
livable area
Lot
1,050 sqft
Basement
Full
city code D
Heat
Hot water / radiators
city code B
Central air
No
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
Zoning appeals
1
Completed · Granted with conditions · 2022
OPA field-assessment attributes. Condition and grade are the assessor's codes, not an inspection.
Block context
961 Marcella St sits on the 900 block of Marcella St. Open the block report to compare its parcels, ownership and public-record history.
See the whole block →Next door: 959 Marcella St · 963 Marcella 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, 3:58 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)