Search Franklin County, PA Property Records

In Franklin County, Pennsylvania, property records are maintained by both county and municipal offices, which work together to document key information about real estate ownership and land use.

At the county level, offices generally manage core records such as deeds, tax assessment data, parcel maps, and payment histories. In parallel, borough and township offices maintain more localized records, including zoning documents, building permits, inspection reports, code enforcement files, and land-use regulations.

Based on available housing and economic data, Franklin County reports a median home value of $205,400.00, a median rent of $1,010.00, a median household income of $65,698.00, and a median real estate tax rate of 1.1%.

Property records in Franklin County, PA, can be searched online, at county offices, or by mail, email, or in person. A search usually starts with the property address, parcel number, owner name, or recorded instrument details.

The county provides access to parcels and assessments through the subscription-based Parcel Mapper PLUS. Meanwhile, recorded land documents are available through an accredited system provider or at appropriate county offices.

Access to property information is also supported under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law, which promotes public access to government records, subject to certain legal exemptions. However, depending on the type of document requested, users may incur fees, be subject to subscription requirements, require staff assistance, or be required to follow certified copy procedures.

As an initial research tool, PropertyChecker can help consolidate available data from multiple public and private sources, including ownership details, deed references, sales history, tax information, liens, and parcel data. This can help streamline the research process before users verify findings through Franklin County's official records systems.

Franklin County property ownership and title information can be verified through the Recorder of Deeds. The office maintains the official recorded trail of property transfers, such as deeds and mortgages.

Remote searches of these records can be conducted through an accredited provider listed on the Recorder of Deeds' official website. The system offers two access options: a computer-based platform designed for frequent or professional title searches, and a browser-based system suited for occasional users who prefer pay-per-document access.

These systems may display results with details such as:

• name,

• record type,

• date recorded,

• municipality,

• instrument number,

• page count,

and cart price.

These fields help users locate the correct record before they obtain copies.

In addition to these online tools, public search services are also available at the recorder’s office in Chambersburg.

The Franklin County Tax Assessment Office is the main source of property sales and transaction history. It provides online access via Parcel Mapper PLUS, and users may need a subscription account to access these records.

For the recorded side of a sale, computer-based and browser-based systems linked on the official website of the Recorder of Deeds provide access to deeds and related land records. These documents may show grantors, grantees, record dates, municipalities, instrument numbers, and page counts.

In addition to these systems, PropertyChecker is often used as a supplementary research tool. It compiles publicly available data into a single report, which may include purchase history, deed references, valuation estimates, and parcel details. This allows users to compare multiple data points before verifying information through official Franklin County records.

In Franklin County, property tax assessments are handled by the County Tax Assessment Office, while tax payments are collected by local tax collectors assigned to each borough and township. This division ensures that assessment and collection functions are managed through separate but coordinated systems.

Assessment and tax claim information can be accessed through the Parcel Mapper PLUS platform, although a subscription may be required to search and review detailed records.

If a property owner disagrees with an assessed value, they may submit an appeal to the Board of Assessment Appeals, which provides the necessary forms and outlines procedural requirements. Franklin County generally sets August 1 as the annual deadline for filing assessment appeals.

For tax payment records, users must contact the designated local tax collector, who manages billing and collection for the specific municipality.

Franklin County parcel details can be checked through the County Tax Assessment Office and the county’s subscription-based Parcel Mapper PLUS access.

A property parcel search should use the parcel number, site address, or owner name. Results may help confirm the parcel's acreage, class, municipality, building data, and tax claim details. For local details beyond county assessment records, users may contact the borough or township where the property is located.

Franklin County land-use and planning records can be reviewed at the County Planning Department. The department works with local governments, public groups, and residents to address growth in ways that are tied to existing infrastructure, historic character, and community needs.

However, parcel-level zoning is often handled by the borough or township where the property is located. Users should contact the local zoning office for zoning districts, permitted uses, variances, subdivision files, land development plans, and zoning permits.

For a fuller review, users may compare county planning material with municipal zoning maps or local ordinances. This step helps confirm whether a parcel is subject to special land-use rules, overlay districts, or project-specific approvals.

In Franklin County, legal property documents affecting real estate ownership are primarily recorded and maintained by the Recorder of Deeds. This office is the official repository for land records, including deeds, mortgages, releases, and other instruments that establish or modify property rights.

These records can be accessed directly through the Recorder of Deeds Office or via an accredited system provider linked through its official website.

For civil-related filings such as liens and judgments, individuals should consult the County Prothonotary, which handles civil court records, including judgments, liens, district magistrate appeals, and landlord-tenant judgment cases.

In addition, access to historical or archived land records may require assistance from the County Archives and Records Management Office. This department preserves deed index books dating from 1784 to 2019, while more recent documents remain with the Recorder of Deeds for ongoing maintenance and access.

In Franklin County, building permits, inspections, and construction-related records are generally managed at the municipal level rather than through a single countywide building office.

As a result, property owners and researchers are typically directed to the relevant borough or township code, zoning, or inspection office to obtain permits, inspection results, plan review notes, and certificates of occupancy.

For instance, in Washington Township, inspection records, construction documents, and permit details are handled by the township’s Building, Code, Inspection & Zoning Department. These records can usually be requested in person or through designated administrative contact channels.

Franklin County maps and visual property data can be reviewed through the county’s Geographic Information System (GIS) department and the Tax Parcel Viewer. These resources support parcel-level review across more than 76,000 parcels, with visual access to parcel lines, municipal location, and nearby property patterns.

However, map lines should not replace a survey, deed, or legal description. For boundary disputes, easements, or title work, users should verify mapped details with recorded land records or a licensed surveyor.

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

Median Rent

$1,010.00

Pennsylvania	$839.00
National	$840.25

• +20.4 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +20.2 %
  vs National

Median Home Value

$205,400.00

Pennsylvania	$168,550.00
National	$173,750.00

• +21.9 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +18.2 %
  vs National

Median Household Income

$65,698.00

Pennsylvania	$63,611.00
National	$65,108.00

• +3.3 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +0.9 %
  vs National

Median Property Tax Rate

1.1%

Pennsylvania	1.3%
National	0.74%

• -15.4%
  vs Pennsylvania
• +48.6 %
  vs National

Unemployment Rate

2.23%

Pennsylvania	2.84%
National	2.87%

• -21.5 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• -22.3 %
  vs National

Renter Occupied Housing

22.41%

Pennsylvania	19.64%
National	21.81%

• +14.1 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +2.8 %
  vs National

The Franklin County Recorder of Deeds acts as the registrar of deeds. Through an accredited system provider, users can access deed data from 1947 to the present, mortgage data from 1785 to the present, plot plan data from 1785 to the present, and other land records from 1947 to the present.

Images extend deeper for some records, with deed images from 1785 to the present and mortgage images from 1951 to the present. These records support assessment updates, parcel reviews, zoning checks, and land-use research across other county and municipal offices.

Access to these records is available through both computer-based and browser-based systems, as well as in-person visits, mail requests, or public access terminals at the Recorder’s Office. Certain requests may also be processed under the county’s Open Records policy.

Applicable copy fees apply to document retrieval, and the County Recorder of Deeds publishes an updated fee schedule for reference.

In Franklin County, the municipal structure comprises 7 boroughs and 15 townships, each responsible for various local government functions, such as zoning, permitting, and code enforcement.

While some municipalities maintain active official websites with online services, others rely primarily on local administrative offices, phone support, or limited web-based access for public inquiries. Below is the complete list of municipalities within the county:

Lurgan Township

At the local level in Franklin County, municipal offices typically maintain records related to zoning permits, land-use approvals, code enforcement files, subdivision documentation, inspection reports, occupancy certificates, and certain local tax records.

In contrast, county offices serve as the primary repository for core property records, including deeds, assessment data, tax claim records, and parcel-level information.

• Chambersburg
• Greencastle
• Mercersburg
• Mont Alto
• Orrstown
• Shippensburg
• Waynesboro
• Antrim Township
• Greene Township
• Guilford Township
• Fannett Township
• Southampton Township
• Quincy Township
• Warren Township
• St. Thomas Township
• Hamilton Township
• Letterkenny Township
• Metal Township
• Peters Township
• Washington Township
• Montgomery Township