500-514 West Elm Street, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 500-514 West Elm Street have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 16 permits, 1 not closed, and 0 violations.
- 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 500-514 West Elm Street at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively low overall, with elevated cold wave risk.
Permits and code violations
1 permit not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner.
- Permit - easy permit process Oct 2020
Replace fire damaged doors/ windows, flooring, cabinets, roof repair, deck repair (separate electrical permit) all work same as existing
- Permit – express permit program Dec 2017Complete
Installation of low voltage security system. interior work only. customer# 402466561. job# 94721521.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jun 2017Complete
Self cert. -- roof deck added to existing townhouse designed for roof decks -- multiple decks already in place, second exit already there.
- Permit - renovation/alteration May 2017Complete
New rooftop deck at existing masonry building per plans
- Permit – express permit program Sep 2015Complete
Installation of low voltage burglar alarm interior work only # 4016-55624
- Permit – express permit program Jan 2015Complete
Installation of low voltage burglar alarm interior work only # 4013-09881
- Permit – express permit program Jul 2014Complete
Installation of low voltage burglar alarm interior work only # 339-03937
- Permit - renovation/alteration Apr 2008Complete
Revision to permit 100122278 to revise roof loading.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Apr 2008Complete
Revision to permits 100122277 & 100179267 to revise roof loading & roof framing for 'z' units.
- Permit – express permit program Apr 2008Complete
Installation of low voltage systems; telephone and cable catv
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jan 2008Complete
New 9'-10" x 22' - 3" roof deck on existing single family residence per plans
- Permit – express permit program Oct 2007Complete
Low voltage cable tv wiring
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
13 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: 625 W Division, Llc, 625 West Division Street (800 ft), open. 3 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
800 ft
Unity Manufacturing Co and 16 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
1,150 ft
Skinner North Elem Sch (1,150 ft), Payton College Preparatory HS (1,750 ft), Skinner Elem School (1,850 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
9.8 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 West Elm Street
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 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.
- 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 specifically where you'd park: is there paid city parking, who currently holds it, what the permit costs, and how long the waitlist is.
- 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.