How to Search for Allentown Property Records

Before buying or investing in real estate, always perform due diligence through research. You can use property records to do this. These documents contain information on ownership history, property values, liens, taxes, zoning classifications, foreclosures, amenities, and other essential details that can help you make informed decisions. Property records are considered public in Allentown, which means anyone can view or request copies. The key is knowing where to look. We have provided some useful resources below to help you find different types of Allentown property records for various purposes.

Lehigh County Assessment Office

The Lehigh County Assessment Office is responsible for valuing all real property in Allentown for taxation purposes. This office is a great resource for property records, including past and current ownership details, valuation histories, property characteristics and classifications, tax data, sales data, and more. You can look up this information online using the county's property search portal; you can search by address, parcel ID, document ID, or instrument number. You can also visit the office at Room 517, 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown, PA 18101, for in-person services, or call them at (610) 782-3038 for general questions and assistance.

Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds

The Lehigh County Recorder of Deeds maintains official property ownership documents for Allentown. This includes deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, plats, and easements. The recorder of deeds office provides online access to its records through the LANDEX Webstore tool, where you can search by name, instrument number, and book and page. Searches are free, but there is a fee to view or print documents. The office also offers a second tool, LANDEX Remote, for those who intend to access its records regularly; this tool is subscription-based and comes with more comprehensive search capabilities. You can also search and get copies of records in person at the recorder's office located at Room 122, 455 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101-1614. Note that fees apply. You can call the office at (610) 782-3162 for inquiries.

Lehigh County Fiscal Office

The Lehigh County Fiscal Office oversees property tax collection in Allentown and can provide records such as tax payment histories, balances due, delinquent accounts, and liens filed for unpaid taxes. Much of this information is accessible online through the county's property search tool. You can also visit the office at Room 119, 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown, PA 18101-2400 for in-person services or call (610) 782-3112 for general questions and assistance.

Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas

The Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas is another excellent resource for Allentown property records, particularly records tied to legal matters. These include foreclosures, liens, title disputes, landlord-tenant cases, and civil judgments. You can access some of this information at no cost using the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal. You can also visit the Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records' office at Room 122, 455 W. Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101-1614, if the information you need is not available online, or to get certified copies of records. You can call (610) 782-3148 for more information.

Allentown Finance Department

The Allentown Finance Department manages the city portion of property taxes and is a key resource for information on municipal-level tax responsibilities. This includes the current balance due to the city, any delinquent city taxes, and property liens at the city level. You can visit the department at City Hall, 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101, to access this information. You can also call (610) 437-7500 and (610) 437-7506 for general inquiries.

Allentown property taxes are a crucial funding source for local services, including schools, police and fire departments, parks, road maintenance, libraries, and community programs. The Lehigh County Assessment Office determines the taxable value of property in the city, while the County Fiscal Office oversees tax payment collection. Lehigh County uses a base year system for valuations, where property assessments are set at a fixed base-year value rather than being updated annually with market changes. The county's current base year is 2013, meaning a property's assessed value is based on what the property was worth as of January 1st of that year. This value remains in place unless there is a significant physical change to the property (like new construction, major renovations, fire damage, or demolition) or if an error has to be corrected. Property tax bills are calculated by multiplying the property's assessed value by the combined millage rates of Lehigh County, the City of Allentown, and the Allentown School District.

Tax bills are typically mailed out separately by each taxing authority (county, city, and school district). County tax bills are usually sent out by late March. Payments made by May 31st qualify for a 2% discount, and taxes are considered delinquent after July 31st (penalties and interest begin accruing after this date). City-level tax bills are mailed out on or before February 1. A 2% discount is also available if paid by April 5th, and the gross amount is due by July 15th. After July 15, a 10% penalty is added. The city also offers a four-part installment plan with payments due monthly from April through July. School district tax bills are generally issued in July or August and are due by October 31st.

There are several methods available for paying property taxes in Allentown, including online (via e-check or credit/debit card), mail-in, and in person. You can call the Lehigh Fiscal Office at (610) 782-3112 and the Allentown Finance Department at (610) 437-7506 for assistance.

Assessments

The Lehigh County Assessment Office assesses properties in Allentown to determine their taxable value. These assessments are done using a base-year system, where each property's assessed value is tied to its market value as of January 1, 2013. Although property data is reviewed every year, the assessed value typically stays the same unless there's a significant physical change to the property, like new construction, major renovations, or fire damage, or if a correction is needed due to an error.

Property owners typically receive annual tax bills that include the current assessed value and the applicable millage rates for the county, city, and school district. If you believe your property's value is inaccurate, you may file an appeal with the Lehigh County Board of Assessment Appeals. The annual appeal deadline is August 1st, and appeal forms are typically available through the assessment office. You can call the office at (610) 782-3038 for more information or assistance with filing an appeal.

Appraisals

Allentown assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair market value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold recently. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

Allentown, Pennsylvania, has a median effective tax rate of 3.22%, which is significantly higher than both the national median of 1.02% and Pennsylvania's state median of 2.81%. The average annual tax bill in the city is $3,926, also much higher than the national average of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Allentown's tax rate compares to other counties in Pennsylvania:

• Allegheny County 2.59%
• Blair County 1.57%
• Chester County 3.50%
• Dauphin County 2.88%
• Elk County 3.06%
• Erie County 2.59%
• Huntingdon County 5.91%
• Mifflin County 2.92%
• Montgomery County 3.94%
• Philadelphia County 1.20%
• Potter County 6.53%
• Susquehanna County 3.31%
• Tioga County 2.81%
• York County 3.29%

Exemptions

Property tax rates in Allentown are much higher than the national average, and tax bills can be a heavy burden for many homeowners in the city. Fortunately, Lehigh County offers several tax relief programs that help ease this cost for qualifying residents. These include:

• Homestead/Farmstead Exclusion: Reduces the assessed value of a homeowner's primary residence.
• Disabled Veteran Real Estate Tax Exemption: Provides a full property tax exemption for honorably discharged, 100% disabled veterans (or their surviving spouses) who can demonstrate financial need.
• Senior Citizen Tax Relief: Offers eligible senior citizens and certain disabled homeowners a reduction on property taxes for their primary residence, subject to an annual cap on the total amount of relief provided.

You can contact the Lehigh County Assessment Office at (610) 782-3038 to learn more about available tax relief programs or for assistance with applying for one.

You need to get permits before beginning new construction, making major renovations to buildings, altering a building's core systems, or demolishing structures. Minor or routine work, like painting, flooring, installing cabinets, or replacing existing fixtures, typically does not require a permit. The Allentown Bureau of Building Standards and Safety (BSS) issues these permits, and you can apply for one online using the city's Citizen Self Service Portal (account registration is required). You can also submit plans, estimate fees, and schedule inspections through this portal. If you prefer in-person services, you can visit the bureau's office, located at City Hall, 435 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18101. You can also call (610) 437-7592 for assistance.

The types of permits issued in Allentown include:

• Building Permits: For new construction and changing (renovating, adding to, or demolishing) existing structures.

  • Residential Building Permits: Issued for one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes.
  • Commercial Building Permits: Issued for commercial buildings and structures (including residential buildings) with three or more units.

• Trade Permits: These are discipline-specific permits for licensed contractors performing specialized work and may be issued separately from building permits.

  • Electrical Permits: For installing, altering, or upgrading electrical systems.
  • Mechanical Permits: For work involving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).
  • Plumbing Permits: For installing or modifying plumbing systems (water lines, sewer connections, drainage systems).
  • Fire Protection Permits: For installing, altering, or replacing fire alarms, sprinklers, or suppression systems.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Allentown is Pennsylvania's third-largest city, famously memorialized in the Billy Joel hit song, an ode to its reputation as a rugged blue-collar Rust Belt city. Today, the city is experiencing a renaissance, with revitalized neighborhoods, new development projects, and a growing reputation in healthcare, education, and logistics. It boasts attractions like Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, the PPL Center, the Allentown Art Museum, and the America on Wheels museum. It is also well known for its annual Allentown Fair, one of the oldest and largest agricultural fairs in the state.

Allentown, Pennsylvania, has a population of 125,845 residents and 47,980 housing units. Of these, 95% are occupied and 38% are owner-occupied. The city offers a wide range of housing options, including single-family detached houses, rowhomes, duplexes, apartment complexes, townhouses, and condos. Common housing styles include Victorian, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Tudor, Federal, and Modern Farmhouse. The average price of a home in Allentown, PA, is $303,841, which is around 3.9% up from previous years. Note that actual home values can vary significantly by neighborhood. Here are examples of home prices in different Allentown neighborhoods:

• Hamilton Park $330,155
• Old Allentown Historic District $207,278
• Trexler Park $573,328
• West End Theatre District $259,357
• West Park Historic District $247,655

The Allentown, Pennsylvania, real estate market is highly competitive. Home prices have steadily risen year-over-year, driven by high demand, low housing inventory, and the city's relative affordability compared to nearby major metros like Philadelphia and New York City. Listed homes typically receive multiple offers and go under contract in around 8 days, with nearly 59% of listings selling above the asking price.