Selling your Pasadena home? Before you list your property for sale you might want to check with the City of Pasadena and see what they have to say. Selling your property is up to you, but the City wants to insure that your property meets their requirements for transfer. Oh yes and by the way, there is a small fee today of $136.99 for your single family home.
Hot Water Heater w/ Watts 210 Valve
Prior to the close of escrow a homeowner must obtain an Occupancy Certificate. According to the website some of the items to be examined include electrical, plumbing and heating systems, structural hazards and other health and safety items. Also zoning concerns such as illegal building additions, garages, attics and basement conversions to dwelling spaces are also checked.
Added an east wing to your house? Converted your garage into a studio apartment? These are major no-no’s.
How about some of the more common but less costly penalties?
This may include a hot water heater which has been added without a permit. That’s right, that new hot water heater you had installed last year will cost you approximately $90 in permit fees.
One of the other major infractions is one you probably don’t know about and will catch you completely off guard. That big shade tree which has been there for the last 30 years and was there when you bought the house. It has now matured to the point where the tree roots have grown under the sidewalk and have lifted it up causing the pavement to become very uneven along with being a potential safety hazard.
The City has your number here as well. When you make the initial application, your contribution (fine) will have already been uploaded into the system informing you of your amount due. Just think, if the City could somehow be that efficient and synchronize the traffic lights on Green St., Colorado Blvd., Lake Ave., Walnut, etc., etc. Oh well, we can dream can’t we?
How to Pass Go
The inspectors I have had the opportunity to work with are always very courteous and helpful. They even provide you with an evaluation form to mail in. They are not there to burden you with a hardship. The number of violations you receive will determine how you proceed towards the approval and the eventual occupancy certificate. If none exist, you will receive it on the spot. Minor violations depend upon your good word signifying the corrections have been made. Major violations may require additional work, or may require you to obtain permits. Chances are you will have a re-inspection.
Plan Ahead
The California Residential Purchase Agreement states who will be responsible for procuring the certificate. Ask your real estate agent about this. We always like to do it in advance to eliminate the possibility of surprise and know the facts beforehand. It certainly helps when we begin negotiating with a home buyer.
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