Philadelphia
Philadelphia County covers 134 square miles of southeastern Pennsylvania, with the county seat at Philadelphia.
Jump to
Where to find things
- Philadelphia Department of RecordsProperty records · Plats
Philadelphia's recorder of deeds. Start here to search recorded deeds and mortgages or order a copy.
James P. Leonard, Commissioner of Records- Phone
- (215) 686-2262
More options
- Pennsylvania property taxPennsylvania property tax is local. The county assessment office sets the value, and the county, your municipality and your school district each set a rate. DCED oversees local government and publishes the assessment manuals.
- Philadelphia Office of Property AssessmentProperty owner
Sets the assessed value of every Philadelphia property. Start here for assessments and appeals.
- Phone
- (215) 686-9200
- Philadelphia Department of Revenue, real estate taxProperty taxes
Collects Philadelphia real estate tax. Start here to look up or pay a property tax bill.
Kathleen McColgan, Revenue Commissioner- Office
- Philadelphia Department of Revenue
- Phone
- (215) 686-6600
- Philadelphia location and zoning informationZoning
City of Philadelphia guide to looking up the zoning of a property (Atlas and the zoning map).
-
Farm wetland rules for USDA program participants. Before you drain, fill or clear a wet area in a farm field, ask NRCS at your local USDA Service Center for a wetland determination.
More options
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectionPennsylvania's environmental agency: water quality, wetlands, waste and the permits that go with them.
- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) sign-up, USDA Farm Service AgencyHow the Conservation Reserve Program works, which sign-ups are open and what it pays. You enroll land in CRP at your county Farm Service Agency office at the local USDA Service Center.
- NRCS highly erodible land determinationsHow NRCS decides whether a farm field is highly erodible land, which affects USDA program eligibility and conservation plans. Requests go to NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.
- FEMA Flood Map Service CenterFlood zones
Official source for flood insurance rate maps. Enter an address to see the current flood zone and download the FIRM panel and letters of map change.
More options
- Pennsylvania floodplain and flood mapsPennsylvania's floodplain program: the flood maps, the extra rules that apply to building or rebuilding near water, and who runs the program locally.
- FEMA Disaster DeclarationsSearch federal disaster and emergency declarations by state, county and incident to see whether an area was declared and what assistance was authorized.
- FEMA Increased Cost of ComplianceFlood insurance coverage that helps pay to elevate, relocate, demolish or floodproof a substantially damaged building.
- Philadelphia Water DepartmentSeptic systems
Runs the public water, sewer and stormwater systems in Philadelphia. Call about sewer backups, water and sewer emergencies, and questions about water and sewer service.
- Office
- Philadelphia Water Department (sewer)
- Phone
- (215) 685-6300
- Philadelphia building permitsBuilding permits
How to get a building permit from the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections.
- Pennsylvania state landsPublic land
State-owned land in Pennsylvania: who manages it, what you may do on it, and how leases and easements work.
More options
- USGS map of public and protected landNational map of federal, state, local and other public and protected land from the U.S. Geological Survey Protected Areas Database (PAD-US).
- Pennsylvania food assistanceFood assistance (SNAP and EBT)
Official Pennsylvania food-assistance program information, listed by USDA. Find application guidance and program contacts. Check the program for current eligibility, benefits, and EBT help.
More options
- USDA food assistance state directoryChoose a state or territory for official food-assistance program websites, applications, and EBT contacts.
- Pennsylvania local food-assistance officesFind a local office that handles food-assistance applications and case questions. Choose your county or service area in this official state directory.
- Pennsylvania unemployment benefitsUnemployment benefits
Official Pennsylvania unemployment insurance information. Find the program’s instructions for claims, eligibility, and ongoing benefits. Use its own guidance to choose where to file.
More options
- USAGov unemployment benefits overviewFind the state unemployment program and official filing guidance through USAGov. Where you worked can determine where you should file.
- Pennsylvania Medicaid and CHIPHealth coverage (Medicaid and CHIP)
Find Pennsylvania Medicaid application information and health-coverage contacts. Check the program for eligibility, renewals, and children’s coverage.
More options
- HealthCare.gov Medicaid and CHIP application guideFind Medicaid and children’s health-coverage application guidance and the official agency for your state or territory.
- Pennsylvania energy bill assistanceHeating and utility bill assistance
Find Pennsylvania energy-assistance information for heating, cooling, or utility bills. Follow the program’s application and local-provider instructions. Availability and eligibility are determined by the program.
More options
- USAGov help with energy billsLearn about help with heating, cooling, and energy bills, and find the official LIHEAP and weatherization program contacts.
- Pennsylvania WIC programWIC nutrition help
WIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
More options
- USDA WIC application and clinic guideWIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
- Pennsylvania child care assistanceHelp paying for child care
Child care payment assistance, application instructions, and program contacts. Check current eligibility, funding, and waiting lists with the program.
More options
- ChildCare.gov help paying for child careChild care payment assistance, application instructions, and program contacts. Check current eligibility, funding, and waiting lists with the program.
- PHFA renter assistanceRent help and public housing
Learn about rental help and public housing programs, how to apply, and who to contact. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
More options
- HUD Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housingLearn how Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing work, how to apply, and how to find your local public housing agency. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with your local agency.
- Pennsylvania emergency shelter and eviction helpEmergency shelter and eviction help
Find emergency shelter, homelessness services or help to avoid eviction, and see who to contact. Check current availability and eligibility with the program.
More options
- HUD Find ShelterSearch for nearby shelters, homeless services, food pantries and health clinics, or find your local homeless services network. Check current availability with each provider.
- Pennsylvania TANF cash assistanceCash assistance (TANF)
Learn about cash assistance for families with children, how to apply, and who to contact about your case. Check current eligibility and rules with the program.
More options
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistanceLearn how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help works and find the program that serves your state. Apply through your state or local office.
- Pennsylvania child support servicesChild support services
Open a child support case, get help establishing paternity or a support order, and find payment and contact information.
More options
- Child support helpLearn how to get help collecting child support and find the child support agency that serves your state or tribe.
- Pennsylvania Department of AgingSenior services and aging
Find state programs for older adults and family caregivers, such as help at home, meals, caregiver support, and how to reach your local aging office. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
More options
- Eldercare LocatorFederal Eldercare Locator for finding local help for older adults and caregivers, such as meals, help at home, transportation, and your Area Agency on Aging. Search by ZIP code or call the listed number.
- Pennsylvania vocational rehabilitation servicesDisability services
Find state disability services, such as vocational rehabilitation for work and training, independent living help, and how to apply. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
More options
- State vocational rehabilitation agencies directoryFederal directory of state vocational rehabilitation agencies that help people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep jobs. Use it to find your state agency and how to contact it.
- Pennsylvania veterans benefits helpVeterans benefits help
Get free help applying for federal and state veterans benefits, such as disability compensation, pension and survivor benefits, and find a veterans service officer near you. Check eligibility and office hours with the agency.
More options
- Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSOFind a VA accredited representative or veterans service organization (VSO) who can help you file a VA claim or appeal at no cost. Your state and county veterans service offices can also help.
- Pennsylvania unclaimed property searchUnclaimed money
Search the official unclaimed property list for money owed to you, such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, refunds and deposits, and file a claim. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
More options
- Find unclaimed money from the governmentLearn how to search for unclaimed money held by state governments and federal agencies, such as old bank accounts, tax refunds, savings bonds and pensions. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
- Pennsylvania driver and vehicle servicesDriver licenses and state IDs · Vehicle registration and titles
Official driver and vehicle services. Check the agency for renewals, appointments, document requirements, registration, and titles.
More options
- USAGov driver licensing and state ID guideOfficial guide to driver licenses and state identification, with links to state motor vehicle agencies.
-
Official U.S. passport applications, renewals, document requirements, and acceptance facility information.
- USAGov Social Security benefits and replacement cardsSocial Security benefits and cards
Official guide to Social Security benefits, card replacement, and Social Security Administration services.
-
Official Medicare enrollment, coverage, plan comparisons, and contacts for help with Medicare.
- IRS income tax filing and assistanceIncome taxes and filing help
Official federal income tax filing instructions, payment and refund information, and links to filing help.
- USAGov job search and career training guideJobs and career training
Official guide to public job training, career resources, and American Job Centers.
- USAGov federal student financial aid guideStudent financial aid
Official guide to FAFSA, federal student aid, and other ways to find help paying for education.
- Pennsylvania consumer protection officeConsumer complaints and scams
State consumer protection information, business complaints, and reporting contacts.
More options
- USAGov state consumer protection office directoryFind your state consumer protection office for business complaints and scam reporting.
- Pennsylvania emergency management and recovery contactsDisaster recovery assistance
State emergency management information and contacts for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Check the agency for available recovery programs.
More options
- USAGov disaster assistance application guideOfficial disaster assistance application information and links to FEMA and other recovery programs.
- USAGov legal aid and lawyer referral guideLegal aid and lawyer referrals
Find legal aid programs, lawyer referrals, and other sources of affordable legal help.
- USAGov federal, state, and local court directoryCourts and traffic tickets
Official guide to federal, state, territory, county, and municipal court websites.
- SBA business registration and startup guideStarting and registering a business
Official startup guide covering business registration, business structure, and federal and state tax IDs.
Philadelphia offices
- Philadelphia County GIS and mappingPhiladelphia County CityGeo keeps the maps and GIS for Philadelphia County.Tim Haynes, Geographic Information Officer
- Phone
- (215) 686-8137
- tim.haynes@phila.gov
- Website
- Visit website
- Philadelphia Atlas property mapCity of Philadelphia Atlas map: look up any address for parcel lines, owner, property assessment, deeds, zoning and permits.
- Philadelphia maps on GISFinderProperty lines, aerial photos, flood zones, wetlands and GIS data downloads.
- Philadelphia County USDA FSA and NRCS officeThe Farm Service Agency office for Philadelphia County is at the Perkasie Service Center, 1000 E Walnut St, Perkasie, PA 18944. Call it to sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and other farm programs, and for farm and tract records. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) serving Philadelphia County is at the Coatesville Service Center, 525 Highlands Blvd, Suite 106, Coatesville, PA 19320, (484) 786-7300: ask it for wetland determinations, highly erodible land questions and conservation plans.
- Phone
- (215) 453-9527
- Address
- 1000 E Walnut St, Perkasie, PA 18944
- Website
- Visit website
Other county departments (2)
- Philadelphia Historical CommissionThe Historical Commission designates historic landmarks and districts and maintains the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Work on a listed historic property needs the commission's approval.
- Phone
- (215) 686-7660
- Website
- Visit website
- Philadelphia Sheriff's OfficeYou can look up sheriff sales, real estate auctions, civil process such as evictions and writs, and contact the Sheriff's Office for services.
- Website
- Visit website
Guides
- How property taxes work: who assesses, who collects
- How to find who owns a piece of land
- How to get help buying food: SNAP and WIC
- How to file for unemployment benefits
- How to get Medicaid, CHIP or Marketplace health coverage
- Help paying energy bills: LIHEAP and weatherization
- Help paying for child care
- Help with rent and housing: Section 8, shelter and eviction help
- Cash assistance for families: TANF, SSI and general assistance
- How child support works
- Help for older adults and people with disabilities
- How to get help with veterans benefits
- How to find unclaimed money in your name
Other Pennsylvania counties
Neighboring counties
About Philadelphia
Philadelphia County covers 134 square miles of southeastern Pennsylvania, with the county seat at Philadelphia. The county assessment office values your house and land and the Recorder of Deeds keeps recorded land documents. The county tax comes from the County Treasurer, but the municipal and school tax is usually collected by an elected tax collector in your borough or township.