How to confirm amount of legally allowed units in property via online records

[Eric Samuels]

So I'm analyzing a deal in Philly currently and I'm being told by the owner that it's a triplex but I'm only seeing two listed units on Zillow (I can't check the actual MLS since I'm not licensed). I'm of course going to ask the owner if the unit is legally a triplex and I did confirm on atlas.phila.gov that it is RM-1, which is good but wanted to see how I can confirm through online records that it indeed has 3 units and not 2. Would love the help here!

Thanks,

[Eric Samuels]

Quote from @Alan Asriants:

When you go on atlas, go under license and inspection. scroll down and go to business licenses. Check to see if they have an active rental license. If they do, click on it and see how many units. If it is 3 then you have a legal triplex, if it is 2, then they are falsely advertising or they are owner occupying it. 

However, if there is no active license, you can go to zoning permit documents and check if they have ever recorded it being built as a triplex or converted into one. 

If it was built as a triplex or was legally converted and recorded and rental license is inactive it can be pretty simple to get an active license on the property - especially because it is RM-1 zoning. 

This becomes more of an issue if you are in a different zoning district. 

If you send me the address, I can cehck for you 

 Ahh got it! This confirmed the correct amount of units. Thanks!