19106
Roof replacement in Old City and Society Hill
Part of the Central planning district. Only 14% of owner-occupied homes here are rowhomes or twins; most owners live in apartment and condominium buildings, whose roofs belong to the association rather than to one owner.
This number connects homeowners who are planning a new roof or a full roof replacement with independent local roofing contractors. It is not for leak repairs or patch jobs. The call must come from the homeowner who decides on the roof. Calls may be recorded.
18
EZ roof covering replacement permits in 19106 in 2025
14%
of owner-occupied homes are rowhomes or twins (1-unit attached)
38%
of homes built in 1939 or earlier
45%
of occupied homes lived in by their owners
Permits: City of Philadelphia L&I open data. Homes: Census ACS 2020–2024.
Roofs Philadelphia connects homeowners with independent local roofing contractors. We do not perform roofing work.
Roof permits in 19106
In 2025 the City issued 18 EZ permits for roof covering replacement in 19106, 37th of 46 ZIP codes. That is 4.4 per 1,000 owner-occupied homes, a little below the city's 6.6 (rented houses get permits too, so read it as a yardstick). It has stayed in the same range since 2021, when there were 16. Through October 23, 2026, 13 more were issued in 2026, after 20 in 2024. Residential: 13; commercial: 5.
The homes in 19106
The Census Bureau counts 10,200 homes in 19106, 45% of the occupied ones owner-occupied (city: 52%). The median year built is 1964; 38% of homes date from 1939 or earlier and 31% from 1980 or later. Median owner-reported value: $517,900 (city $243,100).
What the roof job looks like here
If you own a rowhouse or a whole small building here, the roof is yours to replace. If you own a condominium unit, the roof is a common element and the decision sits with the association, which is not a call this line handles.
Read more: rowhouse flat roofs, flat roof systems , tear-off or roof-over.
Historic designation
3 local historic districts reach into 19106: Chestnut St East, Old City and Society Hill. In all, 1,882 properties in this ZIP code are on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.
For a designated property the City's EZ re-roofing standard does not apply "without prior approval" of the Historical Commission, so the commission's sign-off comes before the permit, and a change of material, such as slate to asphalt, is part of what it looks at.
Which streets, which months
From 2021 through 2025, roof permits in 19106 went to addresses on 27 different streets. The most were on Spruce St (34), Delancey St (13) and Pine St (8). Of the 101 permits issued in 19106 from 2021 through 2025, the most came in August (28) and May (12), the fewest in 4 months with 3 each. Only 14% fell in December through February.
- Spruce St · 34
- Delancey St · 13
- Pine St · 8
- S 3rd St · 5
- S 4th St · 4
- Strawberry St · 3
- S 7th St · 3
- S 6th St · 3
Questions about a new roof in Old City and Society Hill
Do I need a permit to replace a roof in Old City and Society Hill?
Yes. A roof covering replacement in Philadelphia goes through an EZ permit from L&I. In 2025 the City issued 18 of them in 19106 (Old City and Society Hill), 37th of 46 ZIP codes.
How old are the houses in Old City and Society Hill?
38% of homes in 19106 were built in 1939 or earlier (city: 40%); the median year built is 1964. 45% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners (Census ACS 2020–2024).
Is Old City and Society Hill in a historic district?
3 local historic districts reach into 19106: Chestnut St East, Old City and Society Hill. For a designated property the Historical Commission approves the work, including a change of material such as slate to asphalt, before the permit.
Next to 19106
Sources: L&I permits (OpenDataPhilly) and City map layers, queried October 24, 2026; Census ACS 2020–2024; L&I EZ re-roofing standard; Rowhouse Manual. All sources. Checked October 24, 2026.