8904 South Commercial Avenue, Chicago
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 8904 South Commercial Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Chicago Department of Buildings lists 23 permits, 12 not closed, and 60 violations, 19 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 8904 South Commercial Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively low overall, with elevated tornado and cold wave risk.
Permits and code violations
12 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 19 open violations.
- Permit - renovation/alteration Jul 2026Active
Spr 2019 cbrc: structural repair and alteration to existing 1-story mercantile building, including demolition and replacement of the existing north frame wall with new cmu wall anchored to existingconcrete foundation. no change to occupancy or building height. existing use to remain as mercantile retail space (occupancy group m; type va construction)**certified corrections subject to field inspections & audit **
- Permit - renovation/alteration Dec 2023Complete
Cbrc-2019 self-cert. remove cmu wall having a 27 ft wall opening.flush to ceiling wall 9ft ceiling height. install 15 ft tall cmu wall at rear no interior reno. in scope no mep in scope - expand space to adajacent unit. convert from non-conforming liquor store & retail uses into single food and bev. retial sales w accessory liquor sales use tenant, as per plans (occupancy group m; type iiia construction)
- Permit - signs Mar 2018
Install awnings on building
- Permit - signs Mar 2018
Install awnings on building
- Permit – express permit program Jun 2016Complete
Changing outlets in store
- Permit - renovation/alteration May 2015Complete
Self cert - relocate two existing walk-in coolers and general display racks. reroute condensate piping, selective electric fixtures and vent diffusers as per plans.interior alterations to an existing legal non-conforming retail liquor store same use no expansions.
- Permit - renovation/alteration May 2014Complete
Revision to permit # 100381727 (7/15/2011), reinstatement permit # 100524406 (01/17/2014), to correct work done contrary to original permit. revision of footings, structural steel, subflooring, foundation walls, misc. details and general specifications.
- Permit - signs Apr 2014
Light box wall mounted sign on commercial street facing east
- Permit - signs Apr 2014
Light box wall mounted sign facing south
- Permit - reinstate revoked pmt Jan 2014
Reinstate permit # 100381727: remove temporary shoring & peform repair work in bsmt as per approved plans & change gc to rulets construction, inc & concrete contractor to ayala brothers construction co
- Permit - easy permit process Dec 2013
Correct plumbing violations. no other work on this permit and subject to field inspection.
- Permit – express permit program Dec 2013Complete
Emergency electrical repairs, remove extension cord in ceiling, support light fixtures in ceiling, repair cash register cord and install one outlet for register.
Chicago Department of Buildings
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Highest for this area: tornado, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
1 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Clark Refining & Marketing, Inc., 2924 East 87th (1,450 ft), open. 1 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Brownfield site
650 ft
Calumet Region Area Wide Planning and 4 more within half a mile. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.
EPA ACRES Brownfields
Toxic release facility
3,050 ft
Nalco Chemical Co. 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
900 ft
Mireles Elem Academy (900 ft), Bowen High School (1,600 ft), Noble St Chtr-Baker Campus (1,600 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 Commercial 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.
- Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
- 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.
- 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.
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.