159 Sparks Street, Philadelphia
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 159 Sparks Street have open permits or code violations?
- Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections lists 22 permits, 5 not closed, and 44 violations, 2 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 1, the highest potential. Test for radon before you buy.
- What natural disasters is 159 Sparks 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
5 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. 2 open violations.
- Electrical permit May 2026Completed
3 way switches replacement, basement/first floor, arc fault, 20 amp, electric raceways (wired mold), fluorescent fixture, 4ft, 2 led bulbs, ground fault receptacle and dedicated circuit- first floor, ground fault receptacle and dedicated circuit-second floor, ground fault receptacle, arc fault, install exterior fixture with motion detector, install flush mount led ceiling fixture (basement), install wall fixture, new receptacle and circuit arc fault, second floor, replace bedroom fixture, replace fixture, replace receptacle 15/20 amp, switch replacement- rocker switch(amp only) according to nec fishing
- Electrical permit Mar 2026Completed
Replace lights throughout. installation fews outlets in the basement.
- Plumbing permit Mar 2026Completed
Repair main drain line in basement and install 2 fixtures in half bathroom.
- Plumbing permit Mar 2026Completed
Replace house trap and fresh air inlet.
- Residential building permit Feb 2026Completed
For interior alterations to an existing single-family structure as per approved plan. *separate permits required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work*
- General permit minor Sep 2025Expired
Ez exterior wall coverings - for the applications of exterior wall coverings as per attached standards. deviations from these standards shall result in permit revocation and require submission of construction and site plans. 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. siding.
- Electrical permit Jun 2021Expired
Install electric wall/ceiling heater, ground fault receptible and dedicated - circuit first floor, relocate electrical devices - ceiling fixture or wall receptible, relocate electrical devices - telephone jack as per 2014 nec
- Electrical permit May 2021Expired
New 20 amp receptacle and circuit fishing as per 2014 nec
- Plumbing permit May 2021Expired
Install shower, toilet and vanity, install waste lines to fixtures 2nd floor bathroom install toilet and vanity and waste lines to fixtures 1st floor power room
- Residential building permit May 2021Expired
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. structural alteration or repair is expressly prohibited under this permit. prohibited structural work any modifications to exterior walls, party walls, floor/roof framing or foundations, including underpinning, excavation, and removal of foundation slab. work in the basement or cellar is not included on the ez alt permit. separate permits required for mechanical, electric and plumbing. interior renovation of bathroom. new tile, floors, fixtures, spakle, ceiling, paint.
- Alteration permit Sep 2019Completed
Ez permit re-roofing- for the installation of new roof coverings on exiting roofs as per attached standard. deviations from this standard will result in permit revocation and require submission of construction plans.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; underpinning and excavations (i.e. digging in basement)
- Plumbing permit Jan 2019Completed
Replace house trap, installation will comply with the philadelphia plumbing code 2004
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
Leaking fuel tanks
1 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Champlost Fuels 67274, 100 East Champlost Ave (1,400 ft), no further action. Every release here is closed by the state regulator.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Toxic release facility
3,750 ft
Cardone Industries. Reports chemical releases to air, water or land to EPA each year.
EPA Toxics Release Inventory
Radon potential
High
Average indoor levels here can exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA's action level. A $15 test kit settles it before you buy.
EPA and USGS Geologic Radon Potential Map
Nearest public schools
850 ft
Eugenio Maria DE Hostos CS (850 ft), ASPIRA Bilingual Cyber CS (850 ft), Finletter Thomas K Sch (950 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
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 Sparks 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.
- 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.
- Knock on a neighboring door and ask two things: what bothers them most often, and what work is planned for the building.
- 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.
- 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.
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