A ‘city report’ is a report that is required when selling in certain cities. A ‘city inspection’ is a requirement that a city employee visit the property to be transferred prior to the close of escrow. Some cities require these, most do not. Here is a 2023 list of many cities in California and who requires what. A retrofit inspection is usually also required for the cities listed below.
City | City Fee | City Inspection or Fee | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Azusa | Real Property Records Report | 626-812-5265 | $52 – $165 | All properties, including vacant land, but not on first sale. Buyer to acknowledge report, 6 month time limit. Prices subject to change every summer (updated March 8, 2012). |
Bell | Presale Inspection Report | 323-588-6211 ext. 298 | $200 + $75/unit | Inspection required. Seller signs form, must get signature notarized if not submitting application in person. |
Belvedere (Marin County) | Residential Building Record Report | 415-435-3838 | $300 | Inspector goes out to the property. Report cannot be waived. Good for 60 days. Buyer acknowledges report. |
Beverly Hills | Smoke Detector & Water Conservation Plumbing Fixtures Affidavit | 310-285-1141 | Buyer & Seller sign form. No inspection. Only deals with smoke detector and water conservation. | |
Burbank | Retrofit Upon Sale Certificate of Compliance | 818-238-3700 | Water Conservation only. No inspection. Buyer & Seller sign on Certificate of Compliance. | |
Carpinteria (Santa Barbara County) | Inspection-on-Sale Report Application | 805-684-5405 ext. 451 | $245 – $400 | Inspector goes out to the property. Buyer must acknowledge report. Cannot be waived. Good for 6 months. |
Carson | NO LONGER REQUIRED | 310-952-1766 | N/A | The city council of Carson repealed the requirement of a Residential Property Report effective September 20, 2019. See City Page. |
Cathedral City (Riverside County) | Smoke Detector Inspection | 760-770-0341 | Please call | Please visit Cathedral City’s website for more details. |
Chico (Butte County) | Energy Retrofit Inspection | 530-879-6700 | Cost varies per each private inspector. Only mandatory on buildlings prior to 1991. Buyer doesn’t need to acknowledge. Inspectors are certified by the city. Commercial buildings don’t require it. | |
Compton | Application For Report of Building Records | 310-605-5509 | $129 for first Single Family Dwelling, $105 for additional | Inspection required. Residential Only. Buyer acknowledgement of Residential Building Report needed. |
Corte Madera (Marin County) | Application for Report of Residential Building Record | 415-927-5062 | $130 | Inspector doesn’t go out to the property. Cannot waive. Buyer doesn’t need to acknowledge. Commercial buildings don’t require it. It is good for 6 months. |
Cudahy | Pre-Inspection report | 323-773-5143 | $255 up to 5 units | Inspection required. Pick up form at Building and Safety, pay and obtain appointment. Residential, commercial and vacant land. |
Culver City | Report of Building Records | 310-253-5800 | $96-$128 | No inspection. Need on residential & commercial properties, no vacant land. Call for application. Takes 10 business days. Buyer needs to acknowledge. |
Daly City (San Mateo County) | Residential Requirements Report Request | 650-991-8061 | $45 | Fax report. The report is computer generated. Buyer has to acknowledge the report and inspection and cannot be waived. The report is good for 6 months. |
Del Rey Oaks (Monterey County) | Residential Property Report | 831-394-8511 | $100 | See website for Information. Physical inspection required. Property owner must acknowledge report. Report cannot be waived. Commercial buildings have a separate report. |
Eastvale (Riverside County) | Business Registration Certification | 951-361-0900 | $46.00 annual fee | For businesses and rental properties. No physical inspection is required at this time. Annual term from April 1 – March 31. More details here |
El Monte | Property Inspection Report | 626-580-2050 | $195.50-$252.50+ | Inspection required. Residential and commercial properties. Call for application form. Buyer acknowledgement needed.Form Link |
El Segundo | NONE now, pursuant to Building Dept. | 310-524-2380 | NONE | |
Gardena | Property Information Report | 310-217-9530 | $435 for exterior only inspection. $552 for exterior and interior inspection. (July 2021) | Report to be delivered 15 days prior to closing. Residential and commercial. Condos are exempt. Buyer can sign a Waiver. Buyer must acknowledge either the report or the Waiver. |
Hawaiian Gardens | Pre Sale Inspection | 562-420-2641 | $265 | Inspection required. Residential and commercial properties. New construction exempt. Deliver 21 days before closing, Buyer to acknowledge. |
Hermosa Beach | Report for Residential Building Records | 310-318-0235 | $263.00 | Residential only. Takes 2 weeks to process. Exterior inspection only. Good for 6 months |
Huntington Park | Residential Pre-Sale Inspection Program | 323-584-6271 | $105 for exterior inspection, $60 for interior inspection | Inspection required. Single family 1-4 units and vacant land required. No commercial or over 4 units. Good for 6 months. |
Inglewood | Report of Building Records and Code Violations | 310-412-5294 | $163 (up to 4 units) + $11/unit (after 4 units) | Additional fees apply for inspection. Full breakdown on their Building Fees page. Buyer needs to acknowledge. Good for 6 months. |
Laguna Beach (Orange County) | Real Property Report | 949-497-0714 | $350 | No inspection. All properties, including commercial and vacant land. Go down to Building Dept and pick up application and pay. Realtor needs to have his City Business License to show. Takes 7 days. |
Lawndale | Off Street Parking Report/Residential Property Report | 310-973-3236 | $240.00 | Please see Lawndale City’s Page for more information. |
Livermore (Alameda County) | Report of Residential Building Record | 925-960-4410 | $60 | No physical inspection. Buyer must acknowledge it. Cannot waive. Good for 6 months. Commercial buildings don’t require it. |
Lomita | Residential Property Report Application | 310-325-7110 | $162.18 | For residences with certain exceptions. Does not apply to commercial property. On-site inspection is an additional $162.18. For more information, check out the City of Lomita Community Development page. |
Long Beach | Garage Inspection Program | 562-570-6401 | $105.00 for 1-2 units | Inspection concerns only non-street parking at a residence/building. Certain conditions allow for the use of a Garage Exemption Certificate. |
Los Angeles City | Residential Property Report – 9A | 213-485-2216 | $70.85 per parcel | No city inspection. Need on residential and vacant land. No commercial properties or first sale of new residential building. Need application form with original signatures by Seller (and Buyer if Buyer is doing work). Good for 6 months. Completed reports can be searched for and printed out at this link. |
Los Angeles City – Dept of Water and Power | Certificate of Compliance | 213-284-6130 | $15 -$75 and up | Licensed plumber to certify low flow toilets and showerheads and sign Certificate of Compliance. Seller and Buyer also to sign. Form link |
Lynwood | Real Property Report Application | 310-603-0220 ext. 289 | $230.44 | Inspection of exterior only. Residential only. Call for application form. Real Estate Agent needs to have business license for Lynwood to apply. |
Malibu | Wastewater Treatment System Transfer of Permit | 310-456-2489 | Please call | City Website: Malibu City |
Manhattan Beach | Report of Residential Building Records | 310-802-5546 | $121.50 | No inspection. Residential only. Water Conservation Retrofit required. |
Marina (Monterey County) | Residential Property Report | 831-884-1214 | $50 | See website for Information. Physical inspection required. Buyer acknowledges report. Report cannot be waived. Good for 3 months. Commercial buildings do not need. |
Maywood | Pre-Sale Home Inspection | 323-562-5727 | $110 | Inspection required. Application is multiple carbon copy. Call them to mail. Buyer needs to acknowledge report and this report cannot be waived. No expiration date, good until sale of property again. Whoever is applying for report needs to have a Business License with City. |
Monterey Park | NONE ANYMORE | |||
Monterey (Monterey County) | Residential Property Report | 831-646-3890 | Report Faxed. Exterior inspection only. Buyer acknowledges report. Report cannot be waived. Good for 6 months. No requirement for condominiums, but apartments do require. | |
Newport Beach | Report of Residential Building Records | 949-644-3291 | $156 – 182 and up | Residential only. Inspection not required, but if declined, will be noted on report for Buyer to acknowledge. Takes 30 days to complete after application submitted. Corrections to be done within 30 days or Buyer can assume responsibility. Good for one year. |
Oakland (Alameda County) | Sidewalk Certificate of Compliance | 510-238-3199 | $84.92 as of March 24, 2021 | Applies to selling, buying, or renovating of properties above $100,000. Full details in their FAQ here. |
Orange (Orange County) | NONE ANYMORE | |||
Oxnard (Ventura County) | Report of Building Records | 805-385-7840 | $37.80 | Inspection not required. Residential and commercial. Buyer to acknowlege. Takes 7 days to process. Good for 6 months. Call Patricia or Ruby for fax or e-mail of application. |
Palos Verdes Estates | Real Property Records Report | 310-378-0383 | $156 | Inspection not needed. Takes 5 working days. Good for 6 months. Homeowner applies. If third party applies, needs a City Business License in order to apply. |
Pasadena | Presale Self-Certification Program | 626-744-7144 | $27.78 – $150.38 | Inspection required and cannot be waived. Single family, duplex, condos, townhouses. Please see webpage for more information. |
Piedmont (Alameda County) | Housing Records Search | 510-420-3050 | $50 | No physical inspection. Report cannot be waived. Buyer doesn’t need to acknowledge it. Commercial buildings require the same report. |
Port Hueneme (Ventura County) | Residential & Commercial Building Records | 805-986-6500 | $43-$107 | Has option of report only or report and inspection. Required for residential and commercial. Buyer can waive with signature on waiver and sent to Building and Safety. Can obtain a supplement to original report that was obtained 6 months prior. No application online. Call for application. |
Rancho Palos Verdes | Smoke Detector & Water Conserving Fixtures Affidavit | 310-265-7800 | Only deals with smoke detector and water conservation. | |
Redondo Beach | Report of Residential Building | 310-318-0636 | $125.00 effective August 1, 2019 | Updated information about ordering the Residential Report at this link. Please review to prevent delays in processing. |
Rialto | Rialto Water Services – New Service Application | 909-820-2546 | Please call | Go to Rialto’s city Website and search Water Sewer Payment Guidelines |
Rolling Hills Estates | Pre-Sale Inspection Report | 310-377-1577 | $200-$300 | Residential only. Buyer can choose a record search only or with an on-site inspection. Buyer to complete application. Takes 7 business days. Must have to close. |
Ross (Marin County) | Residential Report | 415-453-1453 ext.106 | $325 + $100 each add. unit | Physical inspection required. Business license is required for businesses, which costs $100. Buyer must acknowledge report. Cannot be waived. Also required for commercial buildings. Good for 12 months. Go to Building Dept to get application |
Salinas (Monterey County) | Residential Property Report | 831-758-7241 | 831-758-7241 | Report Faxed. No physical inspection required. Buyer acknowledges report. Report cannot be waived. Good for 90 days. |
San Diego (San Diego County) | Water Conservation Certificate | 619-533-7485 | NO LONGER REQUIRED | No longer required for resale transactions as of February 28, 2022. More information on their resource page. |
San Fernando | Residential Inspection Upon Resale | 818-898-1227 | $240.00 | Inspection required. Call or visit their office for an application. More information can be found on their Building and Safety page. |
San Francisco | Stationary Tank Permits | 415-558-3300 (Fire Dept) | $330 + $344/year | Residential only. Check if property contains stationary tank, if there is a cap on sidewalk or a generator for above ground or portables. Buyer must apply. There is a one time cost of $330 and a yearly tax license of $344, paid through Tax Collector. Fire Dept will inspect tanks yearly. |
San Francisco | Residential Energy & Water Conservation | 415-558-6220 | Residential only. Energy Conservation required only once in lifetime of home and will be noted on the 3R report. The water conservation is required each time of transfer. Go to website to find City approved inspectors. Inspector normally charges flat fee for all inspections and filing fees. | |
San Francisco | Report of Residential Building Record (3R) | 415-558-6080 | $148 | Residential only. City does not inspect, but needs to get a licensed contractor to do so. Valid for one year. Buyer does not need to sign off. Each building needs its own application. |
San Luis Obispo | Water Conservation Certificate – Toilet Retrofit Verification | 805-781-7215 | Unknown, please call | Required prior to sale. Inspection by licensed contractor or Water Resources staff member. |
San Marino | Residential Compliance Certificate | 626-300-0700 | $140.00 | Residential only. Inspection fee separate. Apply in person, they will provide list of individuals or firms allowed to do inspection. Report cannot be waived. Buyer not required to acknowledge report. All violations must be corrected within 6 months. Takes 10 business days. Good 2 years or when sold. |
San Pablo (Contra Costa County) | Residential Health and Safety Inspection | 510-215-3030 | $125 (condo), $175 (SFR), $25+ per/unit | Physical Inspection required. Report cannot be waived. Good for 6 months. Commercial buildings not required. Buyer does not need to acknowledge. |
Santa Monica | Report of Residential Building Records | 310-458-8355 | $330.44 | Inspections not required. Computer generated report. Can fill it out online. Cannot be waived. Buyer must acknowledge. Good for 6 months. Look for application form under “Forms – Public Records – Public Records Request”. |
Sausalito (Marin County) | Residential Building Record Report | 415-289-4128 | $150 | No physical inspection. Report cannot be waived. Buyer doesn’t need to acknowledge. Needs a sewer video it doesn’t have one within last 3 years. Go to Building Dept to get application. |
Seaside (Monterey County) | Real Property Disclosure Report | 831-899-6736 | $129 | Report emailed. Exterior inspection only. Must have every time the property transfers. Cannot be waived. |
Signal Hill | Residential Inspection Report Request | 562-989-7348 | $170-565 | Only for 4 units and up residential properties. Valid for 6 months. Buyer does not need to acknowledge. |
South Gate | Pre-Sale Inspection | 323-563-9500 | $63 | Inspection required. Residential only or residential in mixed use units. Code violations to be corrected within a year by Seller or Buyer. Buyer to acknowledge. Report is good for one year. |
Thousand Oaks (Ventura County) | Report of Residential Building Records | 805-449-2500 | $82- $308 | Inspections required only if there are open permits, cost is then $308. No inspection cost is $82. Good for 6 months. Takes up to 10 working days to get. |
Torrance | Smoke Detector Cert of Compliance | 310-781-7635 Building and Safety Dept. | No property inspection or report required. However, does need a Smoke Detector Compliance done by Contractor. | |
Ventura (Ventura County) | Report of Building Records | 805-654-7874 | $79.00 | No property inspection. Only review permits on file. Buyer to acknowledge. |