1820 South Drake Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 1820 South Drake Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 29 permits, 11 not closed, and 60 violations, 52 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 1820 South Drake Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively low overall, with elevated tornado and heat wave risk.
Permits and code violations
11 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 52 open violations.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Nov 2022Complete
Interior renovation of an existing 2-story, 2-unit masonry residential building. convert 2 du to 3 du with a new basement dwelling unit. rear existing partially closed and partially open porch to be removed and replaced with new rear deck, all work as per plans.
- Permit – express permit program May 2022Complete
Replace fixtures and device mh
- Permit - easy permit process Oct 2020
Fences: 125ft in x 6ft in: qty 2 (wood)
- Permit – express permit program Oct 2020Complete
Repaire lose wires for breakers install gfci receptacles where needed per code
- Permit - easy permit process Jul 2020
Windows (replacement only): qty 3, roof recover only - no structural work
- Permit – express permit program Jun 2020Complete
Upgrade electrical service to 200amp and upgrade receptacles with tamper resistant receptacles. replace old devices and fixtures.
- Permit - easy permit process Dec 2019
Repair/replace parapet on north wall of building,tuckpointing(2430 sq ft)only.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jul 2019Complete
Revision to previously approved drawings under permit app # 100760867 to replace burned enclosed frame porch with porch at same location and of the same size
- Permit - renovation/alteration May 2019Complete
Revision to building permit 100779332 issued on 08-30-18. change porch floor joists from approved 2x10 into 2x8 to show as built conditions as per plans.
- Permit - easy permit process Oct 2018
Change gc on permit 100701294 to chicago city construction.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Aug 2018Complete
Repair of existing 2 story enclosed wood porch as per plans.
- Permit - renovation/alteration May 2018Revoked
Repair partially burned enclosed frame porch
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Highest for this area: tornado, heat wave, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
6 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Caldwell, Ken, 3450-54 West Ogden (700 ft), open. 4 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Brownfield site
1,500 ft
3701 W Ogdan and 3 more within half a mile. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.
EPA ACRES Brownfields
Toxic release facility
2,500 ft
U S Plating Corp and 1 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
850 ft
Dvorak Technology Acad Elem Sch (850 ft), Crown Elem Comm Acd Fine Arts Ctr (1,500 ft), Legacy Elem Charter School (1,550 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
5.2 mi
Chicago Midway (MDW). Aircraft may be audible under approach paths.
FAA large-hub airports
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 Drake 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.