11955 South Lafayette Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 11955 South Lafayette Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 7 permits, 4 not closed, and 33 violations, 32 open.
- What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Cook County?
- $832,750 for a single-unit home, per FHFA. Larger loans are jumbo loans.
- Is radon a problem here?
- EPA radon zone 2, moderate potential.
- What natural disasters is 11955 South Lafayette Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively moderate overall, with elevated tornado and heat wave risk.
Permits and code violations
4 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 32 open violations.
- Permit - renovation/alteration May 2026Active
Spr 2019 cbrc: work includes fire damage repair: replace drywall , plumbing fixtures and associated piping & repair front porch (replace landing & stairs only). framing:replace the fire damaged joists. replace roofing. siding- electrical - all work same as existing; subject to field inspections. as required for a complete, code compliant, weather tight building. adding drawings required for a portion of the permitted work - no proposed layout changes.(occupancy group r-5; type 5a construction)
- Permit - easy permit process Jul 2021
Work includes fire damage repair: replace drywall , plumbing fixtures and associated piping & repair front porch (replace landing & stairs only). framing:replace the fire damaged joist. replace roof. siding- electrical under separate permit- all work same as existing; subject to field inspections
- Permit - easy permit process Jan 2021
Windows (replacement only): qty 2, doors (replacement only): qty 1
- Permit – express permit program Jan 2021Complete
100 amps electrical service and electrical installation
- Permit – express permit program Oct 2020Complete
New 100a 1 meter service
- Permit – express permit program Dec 2008Complete
Installing some new conduit, wires, switches, receptacles, and light fixtures. area to be installed is kitchen, bathroom, living room, and mechanical room. 1st and 2nd floor apartments.
- Permit - easy permit process Oct 2008
Repair drywall as needed & replace floor tiles (no plumbing work) (no electrical work)- all work same as existing; subject to field inspections
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Highest for this area: tornado, heat wave, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Superfund site
2.8 mi
Lake Calumet Cluster (NPL Site). Check groundwater and vapor reports on the EPA site page.
EPA National Priorities List
Leaking fuel tanks
1 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Greater Canaan Baptist Church, 38 West 119th Street (650 ft), no further action. Every release here is closed by the state regulator.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
3,100 ft
American Clybourn Finishing Co and 4 more within a mile. Reports chemical releases to air, water or land to EPA each year.
EPA Toxics Release Inventory
Radon potential
Moderate
Average indoor levels of 2 to 4 pCi/L. EPA still suggests testing ground-floor and basement units.
EPA and USGS Geologic Radon Potential Map
Nearest public schools
1,800 ft
Chicago Collegiate Charter School (1,800 ft), Owens Community Academy ES (2,250 ft), Curtis Elem School (3,450 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Sinkhole-prone ground
Limestone karst
The bedrock here (dolostone (dolomite), Silurian) can dissolve and open sinkholes. Ask for a geotechnical report and check whether sinkhole coverage is in the insurance policy.
USGS Karst in the United States (OFR 2014-1156)
Conforming loan limit 2026
$832,750
Cook County. Mortgages up to this amount qualify for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pricing. Above it, the loan is a jumbo with stricter terms.
FHFA Conforming Loan Limit Values, one-unit
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Who lives and works in Chicago
Trading floors, logistics and the deepest architecture stock in America
Chicago carries a full corporate economy at a price the coasts do not match. Neighborhoods are distinct and walkable, two and three flats are everywhere, and the Loop still sets the commute for finance, law and consulting.
- $71,673
- median household income
- 18.9%
- residents aged 25 to 34
- 45%
- households that own their home
What pays the bills
- Finance and trading
- Logistics and rail
- Law and consulting
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
Who anchors the economy
CME Group · Boeing suppliers · University of Chicago · Northwestern Medicine · United Airlines
The market is shaped around
- Young professionals
- Families buying space
- Two and three flat owners
More on South Lafayette Avenue
All addressesViewing recommendations
What's worth checking in person before deciding.
- Test water pressure and temperature at the tap, in the bathroom and kitchen, for at least a minute.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
- Ask for the latest maintenance bill from a winter month, not a summer one: that's where the real cost of living there shows up.
- Ask specifically where you'd park: is there paid city parking, who currently holds it, what the permit costs, and how long the waitlist is.
- Schedule a viewing on a weekday too, between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, the window when the building is busiest: neighbors, parking, elevator.
- Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.
The year built, height regime, structure, and elevator for this address are being indexed right now, city by city. Save the page and check back: it fills in over time. If you live here, you can fill it in yourself in a minute by leaving a review.