Importance of the zoning in Philadelphia

[Yuriy Skripnichenko]

Hi all,

I keep encountering people who bought a property thinking that it was a duplex or a triplex. And later learned hard way that in reality the City sees it as a single family.

If you are looking at a MF property in Philadelphia, make sure that before closing on the deal you get city certification with the stated current use of the property. The use should be Two-family dwelling or Three-family dwelling. Also check eclipse for rental license records. The property must have a rental license that was active within last 2 years for the number of units that correspondents to the use. You can search for rental license here: https://eclipse.phila.gov/phillylmsprod/pub/lms/Default.aspx?PossePresentation=BusinessLicenseSearchByLocRent&IconName=Contract_Mag.png

Otherwise, you may be looking at a protectional zoning board hearing and obtaining variance, certificate of occupancy and more documents to make it legal and have proper rental license.

You can also check quick zoning guide here: https://www.phila.gov/documents/zoning-code-information-manual-quick-guide/

However, zoning doesn’t always = current use. You need to check before buying. You can have a property that is zoned as a SF with use as a MF and vice versa.

Cheers,

Yuriy