Philly Shares What's Up on Your Block With Mapping Tool

Fulfilling a promise issued by its former commissioner, the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections debuted a comprehensive, interactive mapping tool that outlines city activity on every Philadelphia block.

With interactive maps for zoning permits, construction projects, violations and a variety of other tools, the new map is part of a larger overhaul for L & I's entire website.

Citizen groups have long requested real-time web access to publicly available property information. In one day, Philadelphia became a much more transparent city.

Before Commissioner Frances Burns left, she said the city's L & I was ready to debut an overhauled website. Joshua Cohen, staff member for Democratic Majority Leader City Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., said the site would give citizens access to a system nearly identical to one that goverment officials see.

New L& I Commissioner Carlton Williams debuted the system Monday.

Using the property search tool, residents can pinpoint significant information about a piece of property including:

• Building violations
• Construction permits
• L & I and zoning appeals
• Rental licenses
• Business and licenses
• Building vacancies and demolition permits
• Gun permit appeals

In addition, the map provides regional information for police districts, sanitation schedules, and bike trails/lanes.

The website, which launched Monday, contains information that may have be available in other sections of the city's website. However, this centralizes access and expands on the city's transparency. 

View the new mapping tool here.