159 Brown Street, Philadelphia
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 159 Brown Street have open permits or code violations?
- Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections lists 60 permits, 16 not closed, and 41 violations, 7 open.
- 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 159 Brown Street at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively moderate overall, with elevated heat wave risk.
Permits and code violations
16 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 7 open violations.
- Residential building permit Sep 2024Expired
Ez permit standards alterations- for alterations to an existing one family dwelling as per attached standard. deviations from this standard will result in permit revocation and require submission of construction plans. separate permits are required for plumbing and electrical work and the installation of heating/cooling appliances. structural alteration or repair is expressly prohibited under this permit. prohibited structural work includes any modification to exterior walls, party walls, floor/roof framing or foundations; including underpinning, excavation, and removal of foundation slab.no work may be performed in the basement or cellar.
- Zoning permit Sep 2024Issued
Residential - household living - single-family
- Zoning permit Jun 2024Issued
Residential - household living - two-family
- Electrical permit Feb 2023Completed
Electrical permit for combo cp-2022-007151
- Plumbing permit Feb 2023Completed
Plumbing permit (interior) for combo cp-2022-007151
- Commercial building permit Jan 2023Completed
For level ii alterations with a partial change of occupancy classification to a group b occupancy (juice bar) on the first floor in an existing four (4) story attached structure, and for interior demolition work within the basement (no occupancy at this time), as per plans; separate permits required for all mep/fsp work; no structural work on this permit; building is currently sprinklered throughout in accordance with nfpa 13; if field conditions vary contact design engineer prior to the start of any work; compliance with philadelphia fire and property maintenance codes required prior to occupancy; see zp-2022-001498 for use registration permit; no signs on this permit.
- Zoning permit Oct 2022Issued
Eating and drinking establishments - prepared food shop
- Mechanical / fuel gas permit Sep 2022Completed
For the installation of registers, diffusers, and appliances with associated ductwork. appliances to be installed in accordance with manufacturer's specifications. all work to be done per approved plans. if field conditions vary contact design engineer prior to the start of any work. separate permits required for all other work.
- Plumbing permit Sep 2022Completed
Legalize to include 3 wc, 3 lav, 2 shower, 2 kitchen and hub
- General permit minor Aug 2022Expired
For minor construction work at the subject property in accordance with all applicable provisions of the philadelphia code, all references codes and standards, and the attached ez standard, where included. deviation from this standard shall result in permit revocation. a separate permit from the philadelphia department of streets is required for any sidewalk and street closures. all means of pedestrian protection required at the site in accordance with the philadelphia building code chapter 33 shall be in place prior to start of work.
- Commercial building permit Mar 2022Completed
For documentation of alterations to vacant commercial space (separate permits required for use registration, fit-out & c.o. prior to occupancy) at the 1st floor and two (2) family dwelling (group r-3) at the 2nd through 3rd floors (see ap#762454 and ap#819255 for prior approvals) and for level ii interior alterations to create mechanical space at the attic level. building to be fully sprinklered per nfpa 13 throughout commercial space and minimum nfpa 13r throughout residential occupancies. separate permits required for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire suppression work. **attic not to serve as habitable space - for mechanical access only.**
- General permit Mar 2022Expired
For the installation of one statically-illuminated wall sign per approved plan.
Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Highest for this area: heat wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Superfund site
2.8 mi
Martin Aaron, Inc. (NPL Site). Check groundwater and vapor reports on the EPA site page.
EPA National Priorities List
Leaking fuel tanks
15 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: 801 805 N 2nd St, 801 805 N 2nd St (150 ft), no further action. Every release here is closed by the state regulator.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Brownfield site
750 ft
700 704 N Third Street and 2 more within half a mile. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.
EPA ACRES Brownfields
Toxic release facility
850 ft
American Freight Warehousing Co and 4 more within a mile. Reports chemical releases to air, water or land to EPA each year.
EPA Toxics Release Inventory
High-voltage line
500 ft
138 kV line run by PECO ENERGY CO.
HIFLD transmission lines
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
2,050 ft
Bodine William W HS (2,050 ft), Kearny Gen Philip Sch (2,250 ft), Young Scholars CS (2,800 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
8.2 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 Brown 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.
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