City Home Rules

Selling a house in Marcus Hook Borough, PA: what the city requires

Delaware County, Pennsylvania · Last checked November 2026

Required at sale

Marcus Hook Borough requires a resale U&O before settlement. Published checklist. Confirm current fee with the borough.

What Marcus Hook Borough requires

Resale U&O

Who does it
Municipal code office. The seller applies.
Cost
~$100

Housing in Marcus Hook Borough

Median year homes were built
1944
Median home value
$134,200
Owner-occupied homes
335 of 936 (36%)
Total housing units
1,008

With half the homes built by 1944, inspectors here commonly flag older wiring, missing GFCI outlets, handrails, and worn exteriors. Fix the cheap items before the inspection.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for Marcus Hook borough, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Need this done in Marcus Hook Borough?

Get quotes from a local contractor for U&O repairs, help with repairs, or a cash offer to sell as-is. We pass your request to independent local providers. Free, no obligation.

What do you need?

How the resale use & occupancy (u&o) process works

About half of the municipalities in suburban Philadelphia require a resale use and occupancy certificate or similar sign-off before settlement. Pennsylvania's MCOCA law limits how a town can use violations to block a sale.

  1. Apply as soon as you list. Many towns ask for 14 to 60 days of lead time, and some double the fee for late applications.
  2. Pass the inspection to get a full certificate.
  3. If there are minor violations, the town must issue a temporary certificate. The buyer then usually has 12 months to fix them.
  4. If there are substantial violations, the buyer can still close with a temporary access certificate but cannot move in until the work is done.
Typical cost ranges (estimates, not quotes)
ItemTypical range
Municipal fee$0 to $300

Read the full resale use & occupancy (u&o) guide

If the house fails

You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.

Frequently asked questions

What does Marcus Hook Borough require before I sell my house?

Marcus Hook Borough requires a resale U&O before settlement. Published checklist. Confirm current fee with the borough.

How much does the resale u&o cost in Marcus Hook Borough?

~$100 Typical related costs: municipal fee $0 to $300.

What if my house fails?

You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.

Who pays, the buyer or the seller?

The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.

How old are the homes in Marcus Hook Borough?

The median home in Marcus Hook Borough was built in 1944, and the median home value is $134,200, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.

Nearby: Philadelphia & suburbs

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Sources

Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.