Search Luzerne County, PA Property Records

In Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, property records are maintained at the county level through offices responsible for recording deeds, managing tax assessments, and maintaining parcel data. However, some property-related information may also be available at the city, borough, or township level, particularly for zoning records, local permits, and municipal property records.

Housing and economic indicators provide useful context for property activity in the county. The median home value is $164,150.00, with a median monthly rent of $894.00. The median household income stands at $66,014.00, and property owners pay a median real estate tax rate of 1.5%.

Luzerne County, PA, offers multiple pathways for accessing property documentation, including online databases and in-person requests.

The public can begin online research on the Luzerne County Document Search page, which directs users to several specialized platforms. Additionally, the Luzerne County Public GIS/Mapping Portal provides a geographical interface for viewing tax parcels and assessment data.

For those seeking a more streamlined or nationwide search experience, PropertyChecker aggregates these public data points into simplified reports.

Visiting the Recorder of Deeds office in person allows for free searching on public terminals, though a per-page fee is typically charged for physical copies. Beyond online and in-person visits, the county also supports requests made by mail or fax. Mailed requests generally require a written form, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and the appropriate fees.

The most common search criteria include the property’s physical address, the full name of the current or former owner, or the Property Identification Number (PIN). The PIN is particularly valuable for precision, as it uniquely identifies a specific plot of land regardless of changes in ownership or street naming.

While most indices and basic property descriptions are free to view, the actual images of recorded documents almost always require a fee for download or duplication. There may also be a brief delay before new filings appear in the digital database.

The following sections provide a more detailed look at the specific types of information available in the county:

Property Ownership and Title Information

The Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds is the primary office responsible for maintaining and preserving all real estate-related documents that establish legal title. Individuals can access these records in person at the Courthouse Annex in Wilkes-Barre or through the systems listed on the Document Search Page.

Property Sales and Transaction History

Historical data on real estate transfers and sale prices is maintained by the Luzerne County Assessor's Office, which uses this data for valuations.

Researchers can access a history of transactions, including sale dates, purchase prices, and instrument types, through the Luzerne County Public GIS/Mapping Portal. It allows users to click specific parcels to open the "Sales" tab, which provides a chronological list of recorded transfers.

Individuals can also use PropertyChecker to aggregate these transaction histories into a single view, which often simplifies tracking ownership changes over several decades.

Property Tax Assessment and Payment Records

The Luzerne County Assessor's Office provides assessment values through the County Public GIS/Mapping Portal. For tax billing and payment history, the Luzerne County Treasurer’s Office manages county and municipal tax data, while individual school district taxes are often handled by local municipal tax collectors.

If owners disagree with their valuation, they may appeal to the County Board of Tax Assessment Appeals.

Property Characteristics and Parcel Details

Physical data for land and buildings is managed through a property parcel search on the Luzerne County Public GIS/Mapping Portal. The geographical system often provides specific details such as deeded acreage, structure footprints, improvement values, and year of construction.

For technical data, including soil types and 10-foot Lidar topography, users can access the Luzerne County Subscription GIS Portal. It offers enhanced querying tools for professional land analysis.

Zoning, Land Use, and Planning Records

Zoning and land use information is managed by the Luzerne County Planning and Zoning Department, which holds jurisdiction over 20 of the county’s 76 municipalities. For properties within these areas, the 2023 Luzerne County Zoning Map serves as the primary tool for identifying district classifications, including residential, commercial, and industrial zones.

For the remaining 56 municipalities, records must be obtained directly from the respective city or township zoning offices.

Legal Documents Affecting Property

Legal encumbrances that impact property title, such as mortgages, easements, and rights-of-way, are recorded and maintained by the Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds. These documents are searchable via the county’s Document Search tools.

Judgments and involuntary liens are managed by the Luzerne County Prothonotary. To view these records, users can use the Prothonotary Viewer or visit the County Courthouse in person.

Building Permits, Inspections, and Construction Records

Construction and renovation records in Luzerne County are decentralized, with the County Planning and Zoning Department administering zoning permits for only 20 of the county’s municipalities. Most building permits and safety inspections are managed at the municipal level to comply with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC).

To track a property's construction history or verify current permit status, researchers should contact the relevant municipal code enforcement officer or building inspector.

Maps and Visual Property Data

Luzerne County maintains two distinct digital environments for spatial research. The Luzerne County Public GIS/Mapping Portal provides basic parcel identification and aerial imagery. Meanwhile, the Luzerne County Subscription GIS Portal is available to professionals who require high-resolution topography and advanced query tools.

The county's digital inventory comprises approximately 176,300 parcels covering a total land area of roughly 904 square miles.

The Luzerne County Parcel Viewer, also known as the Luzerne County Public GIS/Mapping Portal, provides access to property information used for assessment and mapping purposes. To begin using the system, users must first acknowledge the website disclaimer by reviewing the terms and conditions and selecting “OK” to proceed.

Once inside the portal, property searches can be conducted using the search bar at the top of the page, which accepts full or partial Parcel Identification Numbers (PINs) and street addresses.

The PIN follows a 17-character format divided into five components, with spaces used in place of dashes to complete the structure. Users may also refine results using the dropdown filter, which allows searches by GIS Streets, Structure Sites, or Tax Parcels.

For users unfamiliar with PINs, the crosshair tool can be used to navigate to a current location on the map, while selecting any visible parcel within the 2024 aerial imagery layer will display detailed property information. Additional lookup options are also available through the Advanced Search feature for more specific queries.

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

Median Rent

$894.00

Pennsylvania	$839.00
National	$840.25

• +6.6 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +6.4 %
  vs National

Median Home Value

$164,150.00

Pennsylvania	$168,550.00
National	$173,750.00

• --2.6 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• --5.5 %
  vs National

Median Household Income

$66,014.00

Pennsylvania	$63,611.00
National	$65,108.00

• +3.8 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +1.4 %
  vs National

Median Property Tax Rate

1.5%

Pennsylvania	1.3%
National	0.74%

• +15.4%
  vs Pennsylvania
• +102.7 %
  vs National

Unemployment Rate

3.51%

Pennsylvania	2.84%
National	2.87%

• +23.6 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +22.3 %
  vs National

Renter Occupied Housing

25.89%

Pennsylvania	19.64%
National	21.81%

• +31.8 %
  vs Pennsylvania
• +18.7 %
  vs National

The Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds serves as the official custodian for all real estate-related documents within the county. This office is responsible for the permanent preservation of deeds, mortgages, subdivision plans, and easements.

These filings act as the foundational data for other county functions. For example, the County Assessor's Office relies on recorded deeds to update ownership and tax rolls, while municipal zoning departments use these records to determine legal lot lines and historical land use permissions.

Access to these records is available through several channels beyond the Document Search tools. Individuals may visit the office in person at the Luzerne County Courthouse Annex to use public search terminals at no cost. For those unable to visit, the office accepts requests via mail.

The office operates under a strict fee schedule for document reproduction. Standard copy fees for documents made by the customer at the office terminals are $0.50 per page. If the copies are requested by mail, the cost is $5 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.

While the Luzerne County government manages centralized real estate filings, local municipalities are responsible for hyper-local property data. Such instruments include building permits, residential occupancy certificates, and municipal lien certifications.

Besides the cities of Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Nanticoke, and Pittston, the following municipalities fall under the jurisdiction of Luzerne County:

• Boroughs

• Hughestown (official website unavailable)

• Jeddo (official website unavailable)

• Laurel Run (official website unavailable)

• Nescopeck (official website unavailable)

• New Columbus (official website unavailable)

Nuangola (official website unavailable)

• Pringle (official website unavailable)

• Sugar Notch (official website unavailable)

• Yatesville (official website unavailable)

• Townships

• Fairmount (official website unavailable)

• Hollenback (official website unavailable)

• Hunlock (official website unavailable)

• Huntington (official website unavailable)

• Ross (official website unavailable)

Slocum (official website unavailable)

Property records can differ significantly across these municipalities due to varying local codes and administrative structures. Because 56 of the 76 municipalities maintain independent zoning authority, a property search regarding land use must begin with the specific local office rather than the Luzerne County Planning and Zoning Department.

When searching, it is worth verifying the specific municipality through the county's GIS Portal or a tax bill, as mailing addresses do not always align with municipal boundaries. A property with a "Wilkes-Barre" address, for example, may fall within Wilkes-Barre Township or Plains Township, each with its own zoning and permit records.

• Ashley
• Avoca
• Bear Creek Village
• Conyngham
• Courtdale
• Dallas
• Dupont
• Duryea
• Edwardsville
• Exeter
• Forty Fort
• Freeland
• Harveys Lake
• Kingston
• Laflin
• Larksville
• Luzerne
• Penn Lake Park
• Plymouth
• Shickshinny
• Swoyersville
• Warrior Run
• West Hazleton
• West Pittston
• West Wyoming
• White Haven
• Wyoming
• Bear Creek
• Black Creek
• Buck
• Butler
• Conyngham
• Dallas
• Dennison
• Dorrance
• Exeter
• Fairview
• Foster
• Franklin
• Hanover
• Hazle
• Jackson
• Jenkins
• Kingston
• Lake
• Lehman
• Nescopeck
• Newport
• Pittston
• Plains
• Plymouth
• Rice
• Salem
• Sugarloaf
• Union
• Wilkes-Barre
• Wright