Search Lehigh County, PA Property Records

Property records in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, are split between two levels of government. The county handles the main records, such as deeds, mortgages, and tax assessments. Meanwhile, individual cities and towns manage their own zoning regulations, building permits, and code enforcement.

The local economic landscape significantly influences the region’s real estate market. Recent data indicate that the median home value is approximately $271,400.00, while the median rent is $1,227.00. Median household income is around $91,232.00, with typical property taxes of about 1.61%.

Securing property information in Lehigh County, PA, is primarily managed through digital portals that cater to different types of inquiries.

For those seeking tax data, assessments, and geographic boundaries, the Lehigh County Parcel Viewer provides a free, map-based interface. Simultaneously, the Lehigh County Online Records Access (ORA) serves as the centralized hub for deed-related searches.

PropertyChecker can be utilized to track ownership changes or conduct broad searches across multiple Pennsylvania jurisdictions.

While digital access is the most efficient method for many, the county also accommodates in-person research at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown. Requests and inquiries can also be made via mail or email.

The most common requirements for conducting searches include the property’s physical street address, the Parcel Identification Number (PIN), or the current owner’s full legal name. Using the PIN uniquely identifies a specific plot of land regardless of ownership changes or address variations.

Public access to these records is generally broad, though certain limitations and restrictions apply. For instance, sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers or bank account details is typically redacted to protect privacy.

Furthermore, the results on county websites are for informational purposes and may not always reflect the property’s current, up-to-the-minute status due to processing lags.

The following sections provide more granular detail on the various types of property information available:

Property Ownership and Title Information

The repository for establishing legal ownership and tracing title history in this jurisdiction is the Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds. To verify current ownership or perform a historical title search, individuals should utilize the Lehigh County Online Records Access (ORA) system. This tool allows users to search by owner name, parcel ID, or document instrument number.

The county also offers a pay-per-document option for infrequent users and a subscription-based service for those who need regular professional access. Certified copies, however, are not available online and must be obtained in person at the Lehigh County Courthouse in Allentown.

Property Sales and Transaction History

Detailed information regarding real estate transfers and historical sale prices is primarily managed through the Lehigh County Assessment Office. The Lehigh County Parcel Viewer offers a free, interactive map that allows users to select a parcel to view its most recent sale date and price.

For a more exhaustive chronological list of transfers, the Lehigh County Online Records Access (ORA) provides the official deed trail. It links each sale to its corresponding legal document and recording date. These databases are used by professional property appraisers to determine market trends and establish comparable sales for valuation purposes.

Property Tax Assessment and Payment Records

The property tax assessors in the Lehigh County Assessment Office are responsible for determining property valuations. Detailed assessment records, including land and building values, are accessible via the Lehigh County Parcel Viewer.

For tax billing, payment history, and delinquency status, the County Fiscal Office maintains records. If a valuation is disputed, owners may file a formal appeal through the Board of Assessment Appeals by the annual August 1 deadline. Specific municipal tax details are handled by local city or township tax collectors.

Property Characteristics and Parcel Details

Physical attributes and specific land data are accessible through Lehigh County Parcel Viewer. It provides an interactive platform to view boundary lines, acreage, and structural details, including square footage, year built, and construction materials. These data points are maintained by the Lehigh County Assessment Office, which utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to link physical characteristics with tax identifiers.

Zoning, Land Use, and Planning Records

Records concerning land use and development are decentralized in Lehigh County, with specific jurisdiction falling to individual municipalities. For comprehensive regional planning and historical land-use patterns, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) serves as the coordinating body for both Lehigh and Northampton Counties. This commission maintains the FutureLV: The Regional Comprehensive Plan and provides various regional mapping resources.

Legal Documents Affecting Property

The Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds maintains the official record of legal instruments that impact property titles, including mortgages, satisfactions, and releases. Additionally, this office records easements, rights-of-way, restrictive covenants, and subdivision plans. These documents are accessible through the Lehigh County Online Records Access (ORA).

Building Permits, Inspections, and Construction Records

Records for building permits and inspections in Lehigh County are maintained at the municipal level rather than by a central county office.

To access permit history or check the status of active construction, individuals must contact the building department of the specific city, township, or borough where the property is located. Some local governments also provide online tools for public access to records.

For example, the City of Allentown offers the Citizen Self-Service (CSS) Portal, which allows users to search online for permits, plan reviews, and licenses.

PropertyChecker can aggregate available permit data across municipalities to give users a convenient starting point before reaching out directly to local departments.

Maps and Visual Property Data

Visual property information and geographic boundaries are centralized within the Lehigh County Parcel Viewer. This interactive GIS platform allows users to overlay high-resolution aerial imagery with parcel lines to identify exact property limits.

The database currently manages approximately 126,900 individual parcel records across a total land area of roughly 345 square miles. For those requiring raw spatial data for technical analysis, the Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA) portal serves as the official clearinghouse for Lehigh County’s parcel layers and digital mapping files.

To navigate the Lehigh County Parcel Viewer by County GIS, open the tool and click "OK" to dismiss the welcome and layer notices that appear upon loading.

The search bar positioned at the top left of the interface provides four search options through a dropdown menu: All, Esri World Geocoder, PIN Search, and Assessment Address. Select the appropriate option based on available property details, enter the search term, and click the search icon to locate a parcel.

The map displays Lehigh County, covering areas including Allentown, Bethlehem, Emmaus, Northampton, Macungie, and Quakertown. The left-side toolbar provides access to property information panels, drawing and markup tools, print functionality, and map filtering options.

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

Median Rent

$1,227.00

Pennsylvania	$839.00
National	$840.25

• +46.2 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +46.0 %
  vs National

Median Home Value

$271,400.00

Pennsylvania	$168,550.00
National	$173,750.00

• +61.0 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +56.2 %
  vs National

Median Household Income

$91,232.00

Pennsylvania	$63,611.00
National	$65,108.00

• +43.4 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +40.1 %
  vs National

Median Property Tax Rate

1.61%

Pennsylvania	1.3%
National	0.74%

• +23.8%
  vs Pennsylvania
• +117.6 %
  vs National

Unemployment Rate

2.94%

Pennsylvania	2.84%
National	2.87%

• +3.5 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +2.4 %
  vs National

Renter Occupied Housing

17.85%

Pennsylvania	19.64%
National	21.81%

• -9.1 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• -18.2 %
  vs National

The Recorder of Deeds Division of the Clerk of Judicial Records serves as the official registrar for all land-related instruments in Lehigh County. This office is responsible for the permanent preservation of documents dating back to the county’s establishment in 1812.

The records maintained by this division serve as the foundational data for several other county and municipal functions. Once a deed is recorded, the Lehigh County Assessment Office uses the information to update ownership records and adjust tax valuations. Subdivision and stormwater management plans also influence municipal-level zoning and land-use decisions.

Beyond online access through the Lehigh County Online Records Access (ORA) tool, records can be retrieved in person at the county courthouse, by mail, or via e-recording services.

The cost for services is outlined in the official County Recorder of Deeds Fee Schedule. In-person photocopies are generally $0.25 per page, while copies requested via mail or email are $1 per page. For legal verification, certified copies require an additional $1.50 per document.

While the Lehigh County government serves as the primary repository for deeds and tax assessments, a portion of property-specific information is managed at the municipal level. There are 25 distinct municipalities within the county, each maintaining its own administrative offices for local governance. They are as follows:

• Cities

• Boroughs

• Townships

These local offices must be contacted directly for records involving building permits, zoning compliance, code enforcement, and local utility liens. For example, if a resident needs to verify the setbacks for a new fence or check for outstanding municipal sewer fees, the inquiry must be directed to the planning or finance department of the specific town or city.

Property records can differ significantly across these jurisdictions. Larger cities like Allentown and Bethlehem operate comprehensive bureaus with digital portals for permit tracking and zoning maps. Smaller boroughs may rely on part-time zoning officers or contracted third-party agencies to handle inspections and land-use records.

Furthermore, the county assessment office determines the general property value. However, local tax collectors in each municipality handle the actual billing and collection of local and school real estate taxes.

• City of Allentown
• City of Bethlehem
• Borough of Alburtis
• Borough of Catasauqua
• Borough of Coopersburg
• Borough of Coplay
• Borough of Emmaus
• Borough of Fountain Hill
• Borough of Macungie
• Borough of Slatington
• Hanover Township
• Heidelberg Township
• Lower Macungie Township
• Lower Milford Township
• Lowhill Township
• Lynn Township
• North Whitehall Township
• Salisbury Township
• South Whitehall Township
• Upper Macungie Township
• Upper Milford Township
• Upper Saucon Township
• Washington Township
• Weisenberg Township
• Whitehall Township