3859 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 3859 Lancaster Avenue have open permits or code violations?
- Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections lists 60 permits, 13 not closed, and 20 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 3859 Lancaster Avenue at risk for?
- FEMA's National Risk Index rates the area relatively moderate overall, with elevated inland flooding and heat wave risk.
Permits and code violations
13 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. No open violations.
- Zoning permit Oct 2026Issued
Public, civic, and institutional - community center
- General permit minor Jul 2026Issued
- for the interior demolition on non-load-bearing partition walls and ceilings as per attached standard. deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans. alteration/repair is strictly prohibited under this permit.
- Zoning permit Feb 2026Issued
Public, civic, and institutional - libraries and cultural exhibits; retail sales - consumer goods
- Zoning permit Oct 2024Issued
Child care - child care center
- General permit minor May 2022Expired
Ez permit re-roofing- for the installation of new roof coverings on exiting roofs as per attached standard. deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans. remove all existing roofing material from roof down to wood decking (approx 6 layers). furnish and install new ½” brown board to entire roof surface. furnish and install new #75 vapor barrier base sheet to entire roof surface. furnish and install complete new smooth rubber membrane torch down modified bitumen roof system to entire roof and wall areas. seal all flashings on entire roof using 4” membrane fabric and roofing cement. furnish and install white aluminum metal edge capping to all roof edges. furnish and install 4” white aluminum evesbox to replace existing evesbox. furnish and install 30’ of 4” white aluminum downspouts to replace all existing spouts. remove all job-connected debris from property work to comply with phc approval.
- General permit May 2022Completed
For the installation of one (1) non illuminated flat wall sign as per approved plans.
- Zoning permit Apr 2022Completed
For the erection of one(1) non-illuminated single-faced flatwall sign. size and location as shown in application/plan.
- Electrical permit Jun 2021Expired
Install 1 400 amp service new grounding as per nec 2017 code , new light , outlets, switches , and smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm.
- Mechanical / fuel gas permit Jun 2021Expired
Ez permit ductwork & warm-air appliances- (three (3 appliances-not to exceed the allowable 2000 cfm for any space and no breaking of fire rated assembilies-or a new permits is required) for the installation if new ductwork, registers/grilles/diffusers, and warm-air appliances as per attached standards. deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans.
- Electrical permit Mar 2021Completed
Rough-in permit for ep-2021-002603 install 1 400 amp service new grounding as per nec 2017 code , new light , outlets, switches , and new smoke detector and carbon detector
- Plumbing permit Feb 2021Expired
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 Jan 2021Expired
For inetrior level 3 alterations to the existing structure as per plans.
Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections
Safety and environment
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Highest for this area: inland flooding, heat wave, cold wave. These drive insurance cost here.
FEMA National Risk Index, census tract
Leaking fuel tanks
4 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Former Toney Miller Svc Sta, 3917-27 Lancaster Ave (400 ft), open. 1 still open. Ask whether groundwater or soil vapor testing was done.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Brownfield site
1,600 ft
Dupont Crescent Schuylkill River Dev Corp and 2 more within half a mile. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.
EPA ACRES Brownfields
Toxic release facility
4,350 ft
Ge Co Re Entry Sys Department. 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
2,000 ft
Powel Samuel Sch (2,000 ft), Science Leadership Academy MS (2,000 ft), McMichael Morton Sch (2,150 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
6.6 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
Have you lived here? Share your experience.
Leave a reviewThe Address Story
Every address has a context. Read its story.
How much it costs to live here
Price, rent, mortgage, and the city's economic context, all in one place.
The money at this address
Renting, buying, and investing, on the same numbers. Enter the listing price to see all calculations.
Enter a rent and the yield calculation fills in on its own.
Loan calculator for this address
Enter the listing price. The calculation uses only your numbers.
Rough estimate, with a fixed rate. The bank's offer may include fees and insurance.
More on Lancaster 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.