5338-5340 South Harper Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 5338-5340 South Harper Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 12 permits, 7 not closed, and 60 violations, 18 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 5338-5340 South Harper Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively low overall, with elevated cold wave risk.
Permits and code violations
7 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 18 open violations.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jun 2026Active
Selfcert 2019-cbrc: alteration to replace one existing rooftop makeup air unit with new rooftop doas unit to provide conditioned ventilation to residential corridors (floors 1-7) and ground floor lobby. work includes replacing existing rooftop exhaust fans connected to existing interior risers serving individual apartment units in an existing 7-story residential building (occupancy group r-2; type ia construction).
- Permit – express permit program Mar 2026Active
Line voltage electrical work. repair or alter devices on existing circuits. receptacle outlets: 0 . lighting outlets: 230. specific location: residential units.
- Permit – express permit program Mar 2026Active
Repair/replacement affecting 1 systems : 2 boiler - hot water(laars magnatherm cfh1000nha1xx - mechanical room on main floor) 2 boiler - hot water(laars ntv500 - mechanical room on main floor) . electrical work under this permit = no . locations: 1 residential unit(s), 1 non-residential unit(s), 1 interior common areas, mechanical room on main floor.
- Permit – express permit program May 2025Complete
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 1250 sq. ft., lintel qty. 7, max. length 3. location: 650' sqft masonry brick repair,tuckpointing,lintel.
- Permit – express permit program Mar 2020Complete
Unit #209 - add a non-switched outlet, install covers and secure and tighten receptacles in the bedroom
- Permit - easy permit process Jun 2018
Flat roof replacement. all work same as existing. no structural work. subject to field inspections.
- Permit - easy permit process Aug 2017
All elevations, repair/replace all metal rods, repair/replace/reset terra cotta at 9th floor, only subject to field inspections.
- Permit - elevator equipment Jan 2017
Modernization of two (2) 7-stop,150 fpm elevators. elevator #1 1500lb.cap. elevator #2 2500lb.cap. proive and install new controllers,machines,fixtures,door operators, & cabs. pursuant to the scope of work submitted.ev002594
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jan 2017Complete
Removal of existing abandoned fire escape stair & construction of an exterior roof access landing /platform at 7th floor with an exterior cage ladder from landing to roof for maintenance access to an existing 7-story 73-dwelling unit building per plans **certified plans corrections: conditional permit subject to field inspections **
- Permit - scaffolding Apr 2016
Erect (2) sectional pipe (6ft frames) scaffolds from 4-5-16 to 4-5-17
- Permit - renovation/alteration Oct 2009Complete
Repair facade of west elevation only
- Permit - renovation/alteration Aug 2008Complete
Rebuild two porches as per plans.
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
17 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Northeast Illinois Railroad Corp., 49th St. In Day Ryan Expressway (950 ft), open. 3 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
800 ft
Murray Elem Language Academy (800 ft), Bret Harte Elem School (1,850 ft), Kenwood Academy High School (1,850 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
8.4 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 Harper 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 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.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
- 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.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.