Search Erie County, PA Property Records

In Erie County, Pennsylvania, the maintenance of property records falls under a layered administrative framework that spans both county government and the municipalities situated within it.

County offices are responsible for recording real estate instruments and assessments, and for overseeing planning and land development. Meanwhile, local municipalities retain jurisdiction over locally generated records such as building permits, municipal tax accounts, and zoning determinations.

The latest housing metric for the county shows a median home value of $155,250.00 and a median rent of $814.00. The median household income is $65,605.00, while property owners face a median real estate tax rate of 1.6%.

Erie County, PA, makes property records accessible through several channels, though no single portal covers every document type.

For online access, the county's Property and Tax Records Search handles general parcel lookups and assessment and taxation data. On the other hand, the Infocon County Access System indexes deed records, mortgages, and other instruments recorded in the county.

For users still figuring out where to begin, PropertyChecker can ease the entry point. Rather than opening with a blank search across unfamiliar county systems, users can start here to get a general picture of a property, including ownership context, tax details, and other available information, all in one place.

Individuals can also visit the office in person to request a document directly or use the public terminals, if available. Mail and email requests provide an alternative for those outside the area. Phone calls are useful for directional questions, but typically do not result in document copies without a follow-up written or electronic request.

The details needed when searching instruments depend on the record type being requested. A street address generally works for parcel and assessment searches. Deed and legal document searches are more effectively conducted using a parcel number or the exact name of a party to the transaction as it appears in the recorded index.

Certain constraints are worth noting before beginning. Remote users without an Infocon subscription are limited to what is visible on the property and tax records portal, which may not display full ownership details without prior verification. Images of documents for older filings may require special handling.

Property Ownership and Title Information

Property ownership and title records in Erie County are filed and maintained by the Recorder of Deeds.

The instruments most commonly associated with property ownership include deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, easements, rights-of-way, and land contracts. These documents establish who holds title, how ownership was transferred, and whether any encumbrances are attached to a given property.

Searching these records starts with the Infocon County Access System, which requires a paid subscription. Users who prefer not to subscribe may view the same records at no cost through the public terminals available at the Recorder of Deeds Office during business hours.

Property Sales and Transaction History

The Property and Tax Records Search is the primary portal for retrieving sales and transaction data in Erie County. Each property profile may display prior sale dates, recorded sale prices, and ownership changes over time. A separate Recent Property Transfers search is also available within the portal, which lets users track recently recorded conveyances countywide.

When the goal is to trace how a property has changed hands over the years, PropertyChecker offers a consolidated view of publicly available sales and transfer information. It allows users to trace ownership across multiple transactions without switching between sources.

Property Tax Assessment and Payment Records

Individuals can turn to the property tax assessors at the Erie County Assessment Office to obtain property assessment records. Since these officials establish the assessed value of real property, they can provide information on assessed values and exemptions. One can also use the Property and Tax Record Search to access these details online.

Homeowners who believe their assessment is overstated may file a formal appeal with the Assessment Office. The filing period is designated each year, and the appeal must be supported by comparable property data or other relevant documentation.

Tax bills, payment history, and delinquent accounts are handled separately. Individual municipal tax collectors collect current-year taxes, while the Erie County Tax Claim Bureau handles delinquent balances. Both current and delinquent tax records may be viewed through the Property Tax Parcel Address Search portal.

Property Characteristics and Parcel Details

Erie County's Property and Tax Records Search is the primary tool for retrieving property characteristics and parcel details at the individual property level. Running a property parcel search through the portal using address or parcel number may return lot size, land classification, building square footage, construction type, and other improvement details.

Each parcel profile in the search tool is organized into sections. Building characteristics generally appear under "Card 1," section, while land information is displayed toward the top of the profile.

Zoning, Land Use, and Planning Records

In Erie County, zoning and planning records are obtained directly from the municipality responsible for the property. Local governments oversee zoning regulations, land use approvals, and development documentation, which makes them the primary point of contact for access.

For example, those researching properties in Millcreek Township can contact the Zoning and Development Division, which maintains zoning maps, permit records, and planning-related files. Access to these records is commonly provided on the website, by office visits, or formal record requests.

The Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development can also be consulted as a secondary resource for countywide planning information. Although it does not manage local zoning records, it offers resources on the county’s plans and programs that can support property research and provide a broader understanding of land-use trends.

Legal Documents Affecting Property

The Recorder of Deeds is the assigned keeper of legal instruments affecting property in Erie County. Among the instruments that can affect property title, restrict transfers, or establish claims against the parcel are mortgages, easements, rights-of-way, lis pendens, and liens. Each carries distinct legal weight and remains attached to the property record until formally resolved.

These documents are searchable through the Infocon County Access System. Court-issued judgments that may encumber title are maintained separately by the Prothonotary Division under the Erie County Clerk of Records.

Building Permits, Inspections, and Construction Records

Building permit and inspection records in Erie County are managed at the municipal level rather than by a centralized county office. Each city, borough, and township oversees its own permitting system, so the appropriate office depends on the property’s location.

Within the City of Erie, the Code Enforcement Department handles building permits and inspection documentation. These records are generally public and can be accessed during business hours or through the city’s online Public Documents Index.

In some smaller municipalities, third-party inspection agencies are contracted to perform code enforcement duties, which means certain records may be maintained by those providers instead of municipal staff.

Maps and Visual Property Data

The County Parcel Map provides visual property data for over 113,000 parcels across Erie County. It can display parcel boundaries, neighboring lots, and surrounding street layouts. Users can also switch between basemap options, such as street view and aerial imagery, to better assess a property's physical surroundings and land context.

Adjacent parcels are clickable directly on the map, which lets users navigate between nearby property records without returning to the main search.

Displayed here are charts summarizing the county's tax rates, accompanied by insights into median home values, income figures, and rent rates.

Median Rent

$814.00

Pennsylvania	$839.00
National	$840.25

• --3.0 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• --3.1 %
  vs National

Median Home Value

$155,250.00

Pennsylvania	$168,550.00
National	$173,750.00

• --7.9 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• --10.6 %
  vs National

Median Household Income

$65,605.00

Pennsylvania	$63,611.00
National	$65,108.00

• +3.1 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +0.8 %
  vs National

Median Property Tax Rate

1.6%

Pennsylvania	1.3%
National	0.74%

• +23.1%
  vs Pennsylvania
• +116.2 %
  vs National

Unemployment Rate

3.35%

Pennsylvania	2.84%
National	2.87%

• +18.0 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +16.7 %
  vs National

Renter Occupied Housing

25.16%

Pennsylvania	19.64%
National	21.81%

• +28.1 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +15.4 %
  vs National

The Erie County Recorder of Deeds maintains the official record of all property instruments filed in the county, with daily document volume ranging from 100 to 400. The office records a wide variety of instruments, including deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, assignments, releases, easements, rights-of-way, and land contracts.

Each recorded instrument is indexed and scanned into a centralized computerized system. These inform property assessments, influence zoning determinations, and update municipal tax rolls throughout the county.

Several access options are available for retrieving recorded land records. The Infocon County Access System provides online access on a subscription basis. The office also welcomes in-person visits and processes requests submitted by email or fax.

The current Fee Schedule sets copy fees at $0.25 per page, whether copies are picked up in person, emailed, or faxed. Certification of documents is available for $1 per document.

Erie County comprises 38 municipalities, each of which maintains responsibility for specific property-related records within its jurisdiction. These typically include tax payment records, zoning materials, building permits, and code enforcement documentation. A complete directory of these municipalities is provided below.

Townships:

• Conneaut Township (no official website)

Boroughs:

• Cranesville Borough (no official website)

• Elgin Borough (no official website)

• Platea Borough (no official website)

Cities:

• Amity Township
• Concord Township
• Elk Creek Township
• Fairview Township
• Franklin Township
• Girard Township
• Greene Township
• Greenfield Township
• Harborcreek Township
• Lawrence Park Township
• LeBoeuf Township
• McKean Township
• Millcreek Township
• North East Township
• Springfield Township
• Summit Township
• Union Township
• Venango Township
• Washington Township
• Waterford Township
• Wayne Township
• Albion Borough
• Edinboro Borough
• Girard Borough
• Lake City Borough
• McKean Borough
• Mill Village Borough
• North East Borough
• Union City Borough
• Waterford Borough
• Wattsburg Borough
• Wesleyville Borough
• Erie
• Corry