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Warren County Property Records

How To Search Property Records in Warren County in 2026

WarrenPARecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to property records in Warren County, Pennsylvania. Members of the public may find data pertaining to ownership history, assessed values, recorded deeds, tax information, and encumbrances such as liens and mortgages. Record categories available through official channels include deeds and transfers, property tax assessments, mortgage recordings, judgment liens, plat maps, and building permit records. Access to these records is subject to availability through official county and municipal sources.

Records in Warren County may be searched through the following official resources:

  • Warren County Assessment Office – Maintains property assessment and ownership data
  • Warren County Recorder of Deeds – Holds recorded instruments including deeds, mortgages, and liens
  • Warren County Tax Claim Bureau – Provides delinquent tax and tax sale information
  • City of Warren Tax Office – Handles municipal real estate tax collection
  • Pennsylvania Uniform Parcel Identifier (UPI) System – Used for parcel identification across the county

1. Property Appraiser Website

The Warren County Assessment Office serves as the primary resource for property valuation and ownership information. Members of the public may access the county's online property search portal at no cost and without registration.

Search Options:

  • By property address
  • By owner name
  • By parcel ID number
  • By map/GIS location
  • By legal description or subdivision

Information Available:

  • Current owner name and mailing address
  • Property address and legal description
  • Parcel identification number
  • Land use and zoning classification
  • Property characteristics (square footage, year built, lot size, building type)
  • Assessed value (land and improvements)
  • Taxable value and exemptions applied
  • Sales history
  • GIS map location

How to Search:

  1. Navigate to the Warren County Assessment Office portal
  2. Select the preferred search type (address, owner name, or parcel number)
  3. Enter the search criteria in the appropriate field
  4. Review the results list returned by the system
  5. Select the relevant property to view the full property card
  6. Review ownership data, assessed values, sales history, and map location
  7. Print or save the information as needed

2. County Recorder of Deeds – Official Records Search

The Warren County Recorder of Deeds maintains all recorded instruments affecting real property. Basic document searches are available to the public.

Searchable By:

  • Grantor name (seller)
  • Grantee name (buyer)
  • Document type
  • Recording date range
  • Book and page number
  • Instrument number

Documents Available:

  • Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
  • Mortgages and deeds of trust
  • Satisfactions and releases of mortgage
  • Mechanic's liens and judgment liens
  • Easements and restrictions
  • Subdivision plats and surveys
  • Powers of attorney affecting property
  • Lis pendens notices
  • HOA declarations

How to Search:

  1. Access the Warren County Recorder of Deeds search system
  2. Select the search type (grantor/grantee name, document type, or date range)
  3. Enter the relevant search criteria
  4. Review the results and select the document of interest
  5. View document images where available online
  6. Note the book and page or instrument number for reference
  7. Request certified copies if official documentation is required

3. Tax Collector Website

The City of Warren Tax Office and the Warren County Tax Claim Bureau provide tax payment and delinquency information to the public at no charge.

Search By:

  • Property address
  • Owner name
  • Parcel number
  • Tax account number

Information Available:

  • Current tax bill amounts
  • Payment history
  • Outstanding balances
  • Exemptions applied
  • Millage rates
  • Delinquent tax status
  • Payment options and installment plan status

4. GIS / Mapping System

Warren County maintains a geographic information system (GIS) that allows visual property searches through interactive mapping tools.

How to Use:

  • Navigate the interactive map to the property location
  • Click on a parcel to view associated property information
  • Access linked assessment and ownership records
  • View aerial photography and property boundary overlays
  • Examine zoning layers, flood zones, and environmental features
  • Measure distances and view multiple map layers simultaneously

In-Person Searches:

Property Appraiser / Assessment Office

Warren County Assessment Office
204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 728-3420
Warren County Assessment Office

Services available in person include public access computers, staff assistance, property cards, maps and plats, and exemption application processing.

Recorder of Deeds Office

Warren County Recorder of Deeds
204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 728-3430
Warren County Recorder of Deeds

Services include viewing official records, requesting certified copies, searching grantor/grantee indexes, and accessing historical record books with staff assistance.

Tax Collector Office

City of Warren Tax Office
318 West Third Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 723-6300
City of Warren Tax Office

Services include tax payment information, copies of tax bills, delinquency information, and tax certificate searches.

Warren County Tax Claim Bureau
204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 728-3415
Warren County Tax Claim Bureau

By Mail Requests:

Property Appraiser / Assessment Office

  • Mailing address: Warren County Assessment Office, 204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
  • Include the property address or parcel number in the written request
  • Enclose a self-addressed stamped return envelope
  • Copying fees may apply per page

Recorder of Deeds

  • Mailing address: Warren County Recorder of Deeds, 204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
  • Specify the document by book and page, instrument number, or property address and date range
  • Include payment for applicable copy fees
  • Certified copies are available upon request with the appropriate fee

Through Professionals:

Title Companies

Title companies conduct comprehensive title searches, prepare abstracts of title, and issue title insurance commitments that identify all recorded interests affecting a property. Costs vary by transaction.

Real Estate Attorneys

Licensed attorneys provide legal title opinions, address complex ownership issues, and assist with dispute resolution. Costs vary by matter.

Real Estate Agents

Licensed agents access MLS data for listed properties, pull property histories, and compile comparable sales data as part of their representation services.

Search Tips:

By Address

  • Use the complete street address including directionals (N, S, E, W)
  • Try variations with and without unit or apartment numbers
  • Check spelling variations if initial results are not returned

By Owner Name

  • Enter last name first, followed by the full name
  • Try variations including and excluding middle initials
  • Search both current and previous owner names
  • Consider married versus maiden names and business entity names

By Legal Description

  • Use the exact legal description as it appears on the deed
  • Include the subdivision name, lot and block numbers, and section, township, and range where applicable

For Historical Records

  • Records predating digitization may not be available online
  • An in-person visit to the courthouse may be required
  • Records may exist in bound books or on microfilm
  • Staff at the Recorder of Deeds office can assist with historical research

Common Search Challenges:

Not Found Online

  • Very recent transactions may not yet appear due to recording delays
  • Very old records may not have been digitized
  • Indexing errors or name spelling variations may affect results
  • Property address changes over time may complicate searches

Multiple Results

  • Common names or similar addresses may return multiple results
  • Verify the correct property by parcel number or legal description
  • Review additional identifying information to confirm the match

What You Cannot Find Online:

  • Unrecorded documents and private agreements not submitted for recording
  • Current pending sales prior to closing and recording
  • Some very old records not yet digitized
  • Documents filed under seal by court order

What Is Warren County Property Records

Property records in Warren County are official documents related to real property — encompassing land and any improvements thereon — maintained by county government offices as legal records of ownership, transfers, and encumbrances. These records establish clear title, document the chain of ownership, and provide constructive notice to the public of all interests affecting a given parcel. Under Pennsylvania's Real Estate Recording Act, instruments affecting real property must be recorded with the county Recorder of Deeds to be effective against subsequent purchasers and creditors.

Purpose of Property Records:

  • Establish legal ownership and chain of title
  • Record encumbrances including mortgages and liens
  • Document property transfers and sale prices
  • Support property tax assessment and collection
  • Protect property rights and enable title insurance
  • Facilitate real estate transactions and lending

Types of Property Records:

Ownership Records

  • Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds
  • Title documents and transfer records
  • Ownership history and chain of title
  • Life estate deeds and trust documents affecting property

Encumbrance Records

  • Mortgages and deeds of trust
  • Tax liens, mechanic's liens, and judgment liens
  • Easements, restrictions, and covenants
  • Homeowner association (HOA) documents
  • Lis pendens notices

Tax and Assessment Records

  • Property tax assessments and tax bills
  • Payment history and exemptions
  • Millage rates and special assessments
  • Tax delinquency records

Legal Descriptions

  • Plat maps and subdivision plats
  • Surveys and metes and bounds descriptions
  • Lot and block information
  • Condominium declarations

Building and Permit Records

  • Building permits and certificates of occupancy
  • Code violations and zoning information
  • Land use designations

Who Maintains Property Records:

Warren County Recorder of Deeds

The Recorder of Deeds records, indexes, and maintains all official instruments affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, and liens.

Warren County Recorder of Deeds
204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 728-3430
Warren County Recorder of Deeds

Warren County Assessment Office

The Assessment Office maintains property valuations, assessment records, property characteristics, ownership information, and exemption applications.

Warren County Assessment Office
204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 728-3420
Warren County Assessment Office

Warren County Tax Claim Bureau

The Tax Claim Bureau handles delinquent tax records, tax sales, and tax deed proceedings.

Warren County Tax Claim Bureau
204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 728-3415
Warren County Tax Claim Bureau

Legal Framework:

Pennsylvania's recording statutes, codified at 42 Pa. C.S. § 8141, establish the priority of recorded instruments and the principle of constructive notice. Instruments recorded with the county Recorder of Deeds provide notice to all subsequent purchasers and encumbrancers of the interests reflected therein. Pennsylvania's constitutional protections for property rights further reinforce the public nature of these records and the legal framework governing their maintenance and access.

Are Property Records Public Information in Warren County?

Property records in Warren County are public information. Under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.), records maintained by government agencies — including property records held by the Recorder of Deeds, Assessment Office, and Tax Claim Bureau — are presumed to be public and accessible to any requester without the need to state a reason or demonstrate a particular interest.

Legal Basis for Public Access:

  • Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § 67.101 et seq.)
  • Pennsylvania recording statutes establishing constructive notice
  • Common law tradition of public land records
  • Centuries-old American practice of open property recording systems

Why Property Records Are Public:

Transparency

The public has a recognized right to know who owns real property within the commonwealth. Open access to ownership records supports transparent government operations, accountability in property taxation, and prevention of fraudulent transfers.

Commercial Purposes

Public access to property records enables real estate transactions, title searches, title insurance issuance, property appraisals, market analysis, and mortgage lending — all of which depend on a reliable, publicly accessible recording system.

Legal Protections

Recording instruments in the public record establishes the chain of title, provides constructive notice to subsequent purchasers, protects against fraudulent transfers, and determines the priority of competing interests in the same property.

Public Interest

Property records support tax assessment transparency, community planning, historical and genealogical research, and journalistic investigation of matters of public concern.

What Property Information Is Public:

  • Current and historical property ownership
  • Legal descriptions and property addresses
  • Sale prices and transfer amounts
  • Recorded mortgage amounts
  • Liens and encumbrances
  • Tax assessments and payment history
  • Property characteristics (size, age, building type)
  • Deeds and all recorded instruments
  • Plat maps and surveys

Privacy Considerations:

Information That May Be Protected

  • Social Security numbers are redacted from recorded documents under current Pennsylvania law
  • Bank account numbers are redacted from recorded instruments
  • Certain individuals — including law enforcement officers, judges, and domestic violence victims — may request address confidentiality under Pennsylvania's Address Confidentiality Program

Exemption Applications

Homestead and other exemption applications may contain personal financial information. The Warren County Assessment Office maintains policies regarding the public availability of application details, and members of the public may contact that office directly for clarification.

Who Can Access Property Records:

Any member of the public may access Warren County property records regardless of residency, ownership status, or stated purpose. Common users include prospective buyers, real estate agents and brokers, title companies, appraisers, lenders, attorneys, property owners reviewing their own records, investors, genealogists, historians, and members of the media.

Commercial Use of Property Records:

Permitted commercial uses of public property records include real estate marketing, property valuation services, title insurance and search services, investment analysis, and market research. Commercial data aggregators legally compile public property records into subscription-based services. Anti-harassment laws, fair housing laws, and other applicable statutes continue to govern the use of information obtained from public records regardless of the public nature of the underlying data.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Property Records in Warren County?

Members of the public may inspect property records at the Warren County Recorder of Deeds and Assessment Office at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified copies of documents are requested. The following fee structure reflects current charges as established under Pennsylvania law and county fee schedules.

Recording and Copy Fees – Warren County Recorder of Deeds:

ServiceCurrent Fee
Recording a deed (first two pages)$107.75
Each additional page$4.00
Recording a mortgage (first two pages)$107.75
Each additional page$4.00
Certified copy of a recorded document$1.50 per page + $5.00 certification fee
Uncertified copy of a recorded document$1.50 per page
Document search (in-person, self-service)No charge

Pennsylvania's Recorder of Deeds Fee Act (16 P.S. § 11011-1 et seq.) governs the fees that county recorders may charge for recording instruments and providing copies. Recording fees in Pennsylvania also include mandatory state surcharges that fund the Judicial Computer System and other programs.

Assessment Office Copy Fees:

ServiceCurrent Fee
Property record card (copy)$0.25 per page
Certified assessment recordVaries; contact office
Online property data accessFree

Tax Claim Bureau Fees:

ServiceCurrent Fee
Tax lien certificate searchContact bureau for current fee
Copies of tax sale records$0.25 per page
Certified copiesAdditional certification fee applies

What Is Available at No Cost:

  • Online viewing of property assessment data through the Warren County Assessment Office portal
  • Online search of recorded document indexes through the Recorder of Deeds
  • In-person inspection of property records at county offices
  • GIS mapping and parcel data through the county's online mapping system

Accepted Payment Methods:

  • Cash (in-person)
  • Check or money order payable to the respective county office
  • Credit and debit cards (availability varies by office; contact the relevant office to confirm)
  • Mail requests must include a check or money order

Fee waivers are not broadly available for property record requests under current Pennsylvania law, though government agencies and certain nonprofit organizations may be entitled to reduced fees in specific circumstances as determined by the applicable office.

What's Included in a Warren County Property Record?

A complete Warren County property record draws from multiple official sources and encompasses the following categories of information.

Ownership Information:

Current Ownership

  • Legal owner name(s) as recorded on the current deed
  • Ownership type (individual, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by entirety, trust, LLC, corporation, or life estate)
  • Ownership percentage where multiple owners hold undivided interests
  • Acquisition date and deed book and page or instrument number
  • Mailing address for tax bill purposes

Previous Ownership

  • Chain of title reflecting all prior owners
  • Transfer dates and historical deed references
  • Ownership timeline from original grant to present

Property Identification:

  • Site address and mailing address
  • Municipality and ZIP code
  • Legal description (lot and block, subdivision name, plat book and page reference, metes and bounds)
  • Parcel identification number and tax account number

Physical Characteristics:

Land Information

  • Lot size in square feet or acres
  • Lot dimensions, frontage, and depth
  • Corner lot designation
  • Land use designation and zoning classification

Building Information

  • Total living area in square feet
  • Year built and effective year
  • Number of stories and building type
  • Construction type and exterior wall material
  • Roof type and foundation type
  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
  • Garage, pool, porch, fireplace, and other additional features
  • Heating and cooling systems
  • Water source and sewer system

Valuation Information:

  • Land value and building value (assessed)
  • Total assessed value and market value estimate
  • Historical assessed values for prior years
  • Agricultural classification where applicable

Tax Information:

  • Total tax amount due and taxable value after exemptions
  • Millage rate breakdown by taxing authority (county, school district, municipality, special districts)
  • Tax payment history and delinquency history
  • Exemptions applied (homestead, senior, disability, veteran, widow/widower, agricultural)

Sales History:

  • Sale dates, sale prices, and deed document numbers
  • Sale type (warranty deed, quitclaim, foreclosure, tax deed, gift, inheritance, divorce transfer)
  • Grantor and grantee names for each transaction
  • Documentary stamp amounts

Encumbrances and Liens:

  • Recorded mortgages with lender names, amounts, and recording dates
  • Tax liens, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, HOA liens, and code enforcement liens
  • Easements, restrictions, covenants, and leases
  • Lis pendens notices

Legal and Regulatory Information:

  • Current zoning classification and permitted uses
  • Land use code and future land use designation
  • School district, fire district, water district, and other special taxing districts
  • Deed restrictions and subdivision covenants
  • FEMA flood zone designation
  • Wetlands and conservation area designations

Maps and Images:

  • Property exterior photograph
  • Aerial photograph and GIS map with property boundaries
  • Plat map and property sketch
  • Historical aerial imagery where available

Building Permit Information (where integrated):

  • Building permits issued with dates, descriptions, and permit values
  • Contractor information and certificate of occupancy
  • Inspection records

What Is NOT Typically in Public Property Records:

  • Current mortgage balances (only original recorded amounts)
  • Personal financial information beyond what appears in recorded instruments
  • Interior photographs
  • Social Security numbers (redacted under current law)
  • Private agreements not submitted for recording
  • Actual purchase contract terms beyond the recorded sale price
  • Confidential exemption application details

How Long Does Warren County Keep Property Records?

Property records in Warren County are maintained permanently. The preservation of these records is a legal requirement under Pennsylvania law and is essential to the integrity of the chain of title for every parcel in the county.

Legal Basis for Retention:

Pennsylvania's Municipal Records Manual, published by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, establishes retention schedules for county government records. Recorded instruments affecting real property — including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements — are classified as permanent records that must never be destroyed. This requirement reflects both the legal necessity of maintaining an unbroken chain of title and the historical importance of land records to the commonwealth.

Records Kept Permanently:

Deed Records

All recorded deeds are maintained permanently, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, trustee's deeds, and all other conveyance instruments. Warren County's deed records extend back to the county's formation in 1800, with some records reflecting original land grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Mortgage Records

All recorded mortgages, satisfactions, releases, modifications, and assignments are maintained permanently, even after the underlying loan has been paid in full.

Lien Records

All recorded liens — including judgment liens, tax liens, and mechanic's liens — and their corresponding releases are maintained permanently.

Plats and Surveys

All recorded subdivision plats, re-plats, condominium declarations, and survey plats are maintained permanently as part of the official land records.

Other Recorded Documents

Easements, restrictions, covenants, declarations, powers of attorney affecting property, and court documents affecting title are all maintained permanently.

Format and Storage:

Historical Records

  • Very old records (pre-1900): Handwritten ledger books
  • Early-to-mid 20th century: Typed entries in bound record books
  • Mid-to-late 20th century: Microfilm
  • Recent records: Digital scans and electronic document management systems

Modern Format

Current recordings are maintained in electronic document management systems with scanned images of original instruments, digital backup systems, and off-site storage for disaster recovery purposes.

Access to Historical Records:

Online Access

Recent records — the extent of which varies by the county's digitization progress — are available through the Recorder of Deeds online portal. Members of the public seeking records predating the online system may access them in person at the courthouse.

In-Person Access

All records, regardless of age or format, are available for public inspection at the Recorder of Deeds office. Records may be in bound books, on microfilm, or in digital format depending on the recording date. Staff can retrieve records from storage, though advance notice may be helpful for very old materials.

Property Appraiser / Assessment Records:

  • Current and historical assessment rolls: Permanent
  • Property cards: Permanent
  • Exemption applications: Retained for a minimum of several years per the applicable retention schedule; contact the Assessment Office for the current policy

Tax Records:

  • Tax payment records: Retained for a minimum of seven years
  • Tax certificates: Retained until redeemed or a tax deed is issued
  • Tax deed records: Permanent
  • Delinquency records: Retained for several years per the applicable schedule

Building Permit Records:

  • Major construction permits: Permanent
  • Minor permits: Retention period varies; maintained by the applicable municipal building department

Chain of Title:

The chain of title for any Warren County parcel may extend back to the county's formation in 1800 or to original Commonwealth land grants. Title searches conducted in connection with real estate transactions typically review a minimum of 60 years of title history, though a full abstract may trace ownership to the original grant. Gaps in the chain of title create title defects that must be resolved before clear title can be conveyed.

Destruction of Records:

Recorded instruments affecting title are never destroyed. Administrative working files, duplicate copies, and internal correspondence may be destroyed following the applicable retention period under the Pennsylvania Municipal Records Manual.

Contact for Historical Records:

Warren County Recorder of Deeds
204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 728-3430
Warren County Recorder of Deeds

Warren County Assessment Office
204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 728-3420
Warren County Assessment Office

How To Find Liens on Property in Warren County?

A lien is a legal claim against real property that secures the payment of a debt or obligation. Members of the public may search for liens recorded against Warren County properties through several official channels.

Types of Liens Recorded Against Real Property:

  • Judgment liens (from court judgments entered against the property owner)
  • Federal and state tax liens (IRS and Pennsylvania Department of Revenue)
  • Mechanic's liens (filed by contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers)
  • Municipal liens (for unpaid municipal charges, code enforcement fines, or special assessments)
  • HOA liens (for unpaid homeowner association assessments)
  • Mortgage liens (voluntary liens securing a loan)

Step-by-Step Search Methods:

Step 1 – Search the Warren County Recorder of Deeds

The Recorder of Deeds indexes all recorded liens by grantor (the property owner against whom the lien is filed) and by property. Members of the public may search the online index or visit the office in person.

  1. Access the Warren County Recorder of Deeds search portal
  2. Search by the property owner's name as grantor
  3. Filter results by document type (lien, judgment, mechanic's lien, etc.)
  4. Review all recorded instruments for the relevant time period
  5. Note the book and page or instrument number for each lien found
  6. Request copies of lien documents as needed

Step 2 – Search the Warren County Court of Common Pleas

Judgment liens originate in court proceedings and are indexed in the prothonotary's records. A judgment becomes a lien on real property in the county when it is entered in the court's judgment index.

Warren County Court of Common Pleas – Prothonotary
204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 728-3400
Warren County Court of Common Pleas

  1. Contact the Prothonotary's office to search the judgment index by the property owner's name
  2. Identify any judgments entered against the owner
  3. Confirm whether the judgment has been satisfied or released
  4. Request certified copies of judgment records as needed

Step 3 – Search for Federal Tax Liens

Federal tax liens filed by the Internal Revenue Service are recorded with the Warren County Recorder of Deeds and are searchable through the same grantor index. Members of the public may also search the IRS lien index through the IRS Centralized Lien Operation.

Step 4 – Search for Pennsylvania State Tax Liens

State tax liens filed by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue are recorded with the county Recorder of Deeds and are searchable through the grantor index. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue maintains information regarding state tax lien procedures.

Step 5 – Search the Warren County Tax Claim Bureau

The Tax Claim Bureau maintains records of delinquent real estate taxes, which constitute a lien on the property by operation of law under the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law.

Warren County Tax Claim Bureau
204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 728-3415
Warren County Tax Claim Bureau

Step 6 – Search Municipal Records

Unpaid municipal charges and code enforcement liens may be recorded with the Recorder of Deeds or maintained separately by the applicable municipality. Members of the public should contact the City of Warren or the relevant borough or township for municipal lien information.

City of Warren
318 West Third Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 723-6300
City of Warren

Obtaining Lien Releases: Once a lien has been satisfied, the lienholder is required to file a release or satisfaction with the Recorder of Deeds. Members of the public should verify that a release has been recorded for any lien that the property owner claims has been paid.

What Is Property Owner Rule in Warren County?

The property owner rule in Warren County refers to the body of Pennsylvania law and local regulations governing the rights, responsibilities, and legal standing of real property owners within the county. Under Pennsylvania law, property ownership is established by a recorded deed, and the owner of record is the individual or entity whose name appears on the most recently recorded conveyance instrument in the Warren County Recorder of Deeds.

Establishing Ownership:

Property ownership in Warren County is established through the recording of a deed with the Recorder of Deeds. Under Pennsylvania's recording statutes, a deed that is not recorded is valid between the parties to the transaction but is not effective against subsequent purchasers or creditors who record their interests first. This principle — known as the race-notice recording rule — means that a purchaser who records a deed first and without notice of a prior unrecorded interest takes priority over that prior interest.

Rights of Property Owners:

Pennsylvania property owners hold a bundle of rights recognized under state law and the Pennsylvania Constitution, including the right to use, enjoy, lease, sell, mortgage, and devise their property. These rights are subject to lawful government regulation including zoning ordinances, building codes, environmental regulations, and taxation.

Property Tax Obligations:

Every property owner in Warren County is subject to real estate taxation at the county, school district, and municipal levels. The Warren County Assessment Office determines the assessed value of each parcel, and the applicable millage rates are set annually by the county commissioners, the Warren County School District, and the relevant municipality. Under the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, property owners have the right to appeal their assessments through the Warren County Board of Assessment Appeals.

Warren County Board of Assessment Appeals
204 Fourth Avenue, Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 728-3420
Warren County Assessment Office

Homestead Exemption:

Pennsylvania property owners who occupy their property as their primary residence may apply for the homestead exclusion under the Pennsylvania Homestead Property Exclusion Program Act (53 Pa. C.S. § 8581 et seq.). This exclusion reduces the assessed value of the homestead property for school district tax purposes by an amount determined annually by the school district. Applications are filed with the Warren County Assessment Office.

Adverse Possession:

Pennsylvania law recognizes adverse possession as a means by which a person who openly, continuously, exclusively, and notoriously occupies another's property for a period of 21 years may acquire legal title to that property. A successful adverse possession claim must be established through a court proceeding, and the resulting judgment must be recorded with the Recorder of Deeds to provide constructive notice of the new ownership.

Eminent Domain:

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its political subdivisions, including Warren County, possess the power of eminent domain — the authority to take private property for public use upon payment of just compensation. Property owners subject to a taking have the right to contest the amount of compensation offered through proceedings before the Board of Viewers and, if necessary, through the Warren County Court of Common Pleas.

Zoning and Land Use Regulations:

Property owners in Warren County are subject to the zoning ordinances of the municipality in which their property is located. The