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How to Look Up Code Violations on a Philadelphia Property

Code violations are public in Philadelphia — a fast way to check whether a property, or a landlord, has a history of problems. Here's how.

Step 1: Search L&I violations by address

Philadelphia's L&I publishes code violations, searchable by address through the city atlas (atlas.phila.gov).

Step 2: Read the violation type and status

Each violation has a type and a status — open, in compliance, or resolved. Open violations on a property are the ones that matter most.

Step 3: Check licensing status

For rentals, check the rental license status alongside violations — an unlicensed rental is itself a red flag.

Step 4: Tie violations to the owner

A single property's violations are useful; the same owner's pattern across every property they hold is far more telling.

Step 5: Watch the block

Violations, permits, and 311 reports around an address together describe what's actually happening on a block.

How LandlordEye helps

LandlordEye pulls a property's violations and licensing and connects them to the owner across their full portfolio; BlockWatcher watches violations, permits, and 311 activity around a single address — each with the source record behind it.

Frequently asked questions

Are code violations public in Philadelphia?

Yes — L&I violations and licensing status are public and free to look up by address.

What does an open violation mean?

It's a code issue L&I has cited that hasn't yet been resolved or brought into compliance.

Can I check a landlord's whole record?

Yes — connecting violations across every property an owner holds is what LandlordEye does.

How do I check a rental license?

Rental licensing status is part of L&I's records and shows whether a unit is legally licensed to rent.

For the bigger picture, see our Philadelphia Public Records Guide.