421 North 20th Street, Philadelphia
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 421 North 20th Street have open permits or code violations?
- Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections lists 34 permits, 2 not closed, and 5 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 421 North 20th 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
2 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. No open violations.
- Residential building permit Apr 2026Completed
For the addition of a roof deck above the second floor rear. roof deck to be accessed from the third floor (no pilot house). size and location per plan.
- Zoning permit Mar 2026Completed
For the erection of a roof deck on an existing attached structure. size and location as shown in plans.
- Electrical permit May 2024Completed
200amp panel x1 new circuit x1 square d complete home surge protective device x1 3 story 200 amp cable protector x1 fish only per 2017 nec
- Electrical permit Feb 2024Completed
Replace 200 a service 42 space, meter socket, service cable, grounding.
- Plumbing permit Jan 2024Completed
Repair/replace ct & fai
- Electrical permit Jan 2024Completed
Rewire single family home with new receptacles and lighting. new 200a electric service.
- Mechanical / fuel gas permit Jan 2024Completed
Ez permit ductwork & warm-air appliances - for the installation of new ductwork, registers/grilles/diffusers, and warm-air appliances as per attached standards. deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans. 2 heaters and condensers, new ductwork, & 12 registers
- Plumbing permit Dec 2023Completed
Replace supply lines and drainage pipes for 1 kitchen sink, 1 laundry sink, 1 toilet, 1 vanity & 1 shower. amend to total 4-wc, 4-lav, 3-showers, 1-ks & 1-ls.
- Site / utility permit Nov 2023Completed
For the excavation and underpinning of rear section of existing basement slab as per approved plans. for a single-family household living. **************separate permits for all other work.***********************
- Residential building permit Sep 2023Completed
Amend permit 2/5/2024- interior layout and structure changes on the second and third floor. there is no increase in area, height, or proposed scope of work .for the interior renovation and reconfiguration of an existing 3 story single family dwelling, with existing cellar slab to be demolished and excavated deeper. for a proposed walk out roof deck addition over existing 2nd floor roof surface and accessed by the third floor. and for the replacement of exterior windows and doors.
- Zoning permit Jun 2023Completed
For a proposed walk out roof deck addition over existing 2nd floor rear roof surface accessed by the third floor of a single-family dwelling, size and location as per plan.
- General permit minor Jun 2023Completed
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.
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
5 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: Police Site 014, 2001 Pennsylvania 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
2,550 ft
835 87 N 19th Street 1825 Wylie Street. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.
EPA ACRES Brownfields
Toxic release facility
2,250 ft
Smithkline Beecham Pharmaceuticals and 2 more within a mile. Reports chemical releases to air, water or land to EPA each year.
EPA Toxics Release Inventory
Historic listing nearby
250 ft
Reading Company Grain Elevator. Exterior changes can need preservation review; listed buildings can qualify for rehabilitation tax credits.
National Park Service, National Register
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
1,450 ft
Waring Laura W Sch (1,450 ft), Masterman Julia R Sec Sch (1,650 ft), Philadelphia Electrical & Technology CHS (2,050 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
7.2 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 North 20th Street
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.
- 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.
- Look at the stairwell (cleanliness, smell) and the association's notice board: unpaid dues, conflicts, recent decisions.
- 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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