438 Brown Street, Philadelphia
technical data · neighborhood and transit
Quick answers
- Does 438 Brown Street have open permits or code violations?
- Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections lists 16 permits, 4 not closed, and 3 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 438 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
4 permits not closed out. Unfinished permits pass to the next owner. No open violations.
- Electrical permit Apr 2026Completed
Installation of solar array in accordance with signed standard
- General permit Apr 2026Issued
For the installation of a roof-mounted solar array. size and location per plans. a separate electrical permit is required. amend permit 5/4/26 to document the reduction in the number pf solar panels to be installed.
- Electrical permit Apr 2026Completed
Installation of a rooftop 11.70 kw solar system, consisting of (26) sirus elnsm54m-hc-n450w and (26) enphase iq8hc-72-m-dom-us (240v)inverter as per 2017 nec. amendment: reduce system to 20 panels, 9kw. gp-2026-001911
- Electrical permit May 2023Completed
Run a new 110 volt line for a new garbage disposal as per 2017 nec wire will be fished into new location
- Plumbing permit Mar 2023Completed
Plumbing permit (interior) for combo rp-2023-002392
- Residential building permit Mar 2023Completed
Kitchen cabinet replacement and drywall as per interior ez alterations. separate permit was obtained for the windows. ez permit stadards 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 includes any modification to exterior walls, party walls, floor/roof framing or foundations, underpinning and excavations (i.e. digging in basement). no work permited in the basement. must expose any work previously complete to inspector. a pa engineer report may be required for verification of work already complete if requested by inspector.
- Residential building permit Jan 2023Completed
Installing new rear kitchen window
- Electrical permit Feb 2022Completed
Installation of solar array in accordance with signed standard.
- Plumbing permit Apr 2021Expired
Replacement of 50 gallon electric water heater
- Mechanical / fuel gas permit Mar 2021Expired
Ez permit ductwork & warm-air appliances - 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. replace existing heat pump system. size is 2.5 ton. seer rating 14 outdoor unit located on the rear of home. there is no new ductwork. connecting to existing duct system
- Mechanical / fuel gas permit Feb 2021Expired
Ez permit ductwork & warm-air appliances- for mechanical work to include the installation as per attached standards. deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans. install rheem 2.5 ton heat pump/ fan coil
- Plumbing permit Jul 2018Completed
Replace water heater
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
3.0 mi
Martin Aaron, Inc. (NPL Site). Check groundwater and vapor reports on the EPA site page.
EPA National Priorities List
Leaking fuel tanks
4 within 1,650 ft
Nearest: C & Rs Sunoco, 401 Spring Garden St (1,050 ft), no further action. Every release here is closed by the state regulator.
EPA UST Finder, leaking underground storage tank releases
Brownfield site
900 ft
700 704 N Third Street and 5 more within half a mile. Former industrial land in EPA's cleanup and reuse program.
EPA ACRES Brownfields
Toxic release facility
2,400 ft
American Freight Warehousing Co and 5 more within a mile. Reports chemical releases to air, water or land to EPA each year.
EPA Toxics Release Inventory
High-voltage line
350 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
700 ft
Kearny Gen Philip Sch (700 ft), Young Scholars CS (1,600 ft), Bodine William W HS (1,700 ft). Confirm the assigned school with the district.
U.S. Department of Education, NCES
Major airport
8.1 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.
- 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.
- Schedule a viewing on a weekday too, between 6:00 and 7:30 PM, the window when the building is busiest: neighbors, parking, elevator.
- 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.
Neighborhood recommendations are derived from public OpenStreetMap data and may be incomplete. Checking in person is still what matters most.
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