138 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 138 Chestnut Street have open permits or code violations?
- Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections lists 39 permits, 7 not closed, and 60 violations.
- What is the 2026 conforming loan limit in Philadelphia 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 138 Chestnut Street at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively moderate overall, with elevated heat wave and cold wave risk.
Permits and code violations
7 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. No open violations.
- Zoning permit Oct 2026Issued
Visitor accommodations
- Electrical permit Oct 2026Issued
Install a complete fire alarm system for a mixed-use building, including all required initiating devices, notification appliances, control equipment, modules, wiring and connections. all work shall be performed in accordance with 2019 nfpa 72, the 2020 nec and the approved plans.
- General permit Sep 2023Completed
For the installation of one flat wall sign as per plans.
- Zoning permit Aug 2023Completed
For the erection of one (1) flat wall sign on an existing attached structure. size and location as shown in the application / plan.
- Zoning permit Jan 2023Issued
Limited lodging
- Zoning permit Nov 2022Issued
Visitor accommodations
- Zoning permit Nov 2022Issued
Visitor accommodations
- Zoning permit Dec 2021Issued
Retail sales - consumer goods
- Mechanical / fuel gas permit Mar 2021Completed
For hvac mechanical system installations to the ground floor commercial space per approved plans. **no work permitted to the front facade under this permit per historical commission approval conditions.**
- Electrical permit Oct 2020Completed
Install 800 amp service with 5 gang meter bank for apts. and 400 amp meter for the commercial unit, rewire throughout per approved drawings -2017 nec. install fire alarm system per engineer sealed drawings w/ low frequency sound to be installed in all sleeping areas(living rms & bedrooms) 2016 nfpa-72.and exit emergency light system
- Plumbing permit Sep 2020Completed
1" complete water service ppc 2018
- Mechanical / fuel gas permit Aug 2020Completed
For hvac mechanical system installations to include four (4) split system air handling and condensing units, refrigerant piping, exhaust fan installations, fire damper installations, grilles/registers/diffusers, and associated ductwork, per approval requirements of the historical commission. **no work permitted to the front facade under this permit per historical commission approval conditions.** amendment: to revise location of exhaust outlets at the front facade to the roof level, to include listed ceiling radiation damper installation.
Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Highest for this area: heat wave, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Superfund site
2.0 mi
Martin Aaron, Inc. (NPL Site). Check groundwater and vapor reports on the EPA site page.
EPA National Priorities List
Leaking fuel tanks
3 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Merchants Exchange, 130 S 3rd St (650 ft), no further action. Every release here is closed by the state regulator.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
2,250 ft
U S Department Of The Treasury U S Mint At Philadelphia and 6 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
1,050 ft
Mastery CHS-Lenfest Campus (1,050 ft), National Constitution Center HS (2,500 ft), McCall Gen George A Sch (2,800 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
7.4 mi
Philadelphia International (PHL). Aircraft may be audible under approach paths.
FAA large-hub airports
Conforming loan limit 2026
$832,750
Philadelphia 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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More on Chestnut Street
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Schedule a viewing on a weekday too, between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, the window when the building is busiest: neighbors, parking, elevator.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.
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