4538 South Saint Lawrence Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 4538 South Saint Lawrence Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 11 permits, 3 not closed, and 5 violations, 3 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 4538 South Saint Lawrence Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively low overall, with elevated cold wave risk.
Permits and code violations
3 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 3 open violations.
- Permit – express permit program Mar 2016Complete
Upgrade service to 200 amp change circuit breaker boxes
- Permit - easy permit process Sep 2014
Erect a new 2 car frame garage.
- Permit – express permit program May 2014Complete
Changing electric contractor
- Permit - renovation/alteration Feb 2014Complete
New interior walls, new floor joists, new steel beams, new pluming, new heating/cooling, new electrical, new windows in existing openings, new bathrooms fixtures, new kitchen cabinets/appliances, new stairs, new small rear porch per plans **certified plans corrections: conditional permit subject to field inspections **
- Permit - easy permit process Apr 2010
Revision to permit 100327222 issued 1/27/10 to change plumbing contractor. subject to field inspection
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jan 2010Complete
Remodeling of 2 unit residential building. conditional permit subject to audit & field inspection.
- Permit - easy permit process Jan 2010
Garage
- Permit – express permit program Nov 2009Complete
Existing 2 flat residence including service entrance only and change of contractors; no permit # available for 4536 s. st. lawrence.
- Permit – express permit program Mar 2009Complete
Relocate electrical piping for home remodel
- Permit – express permit program Mar 2009Complete
Update electrical service to 200 amp. with 3 meters for 2 apartments and public. service only.
- Permit – express permit program Mar 2006Complete
Installation of a low voltage burglar alarm.
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Highest for this area: cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
3 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Matthews Gas Service, Inc., 4533 South Cottage Grove (1,450 ft), open. 2 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
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
1,150 ft
Woodson South Elem School (1,150 ft), Mollison Elem School (1,500 ft), James Farmer Jr. Elementary (2,250 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
7.4 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 Saint Lawrence 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.
- Schedule a viewing on a weekday too, between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, the window when the building is busiest: neighbors, parking, elevator.
- 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.
- Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
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.