What an open building permit means when you buy a Los Angeles home
Before you buy a home in Los Angeles, it helps to know what work has been done on it and whether the City signed that work off. Building permit history answers part of that.
What a building permit is
A permit is the City's approval to do certain work, such as an addition, a remodel, or electrical, plumbing or roof work. Inspectors may visit during the work and again at the end.
Open, expired and finaled
- Finaled usually means the work was inspected and the City closed the permit.
- Open or issued can mean the work is not finished, not yet inspected, or was never closed out.
- Expired can mean the permit lapsed before the work was signed off.
Status words can vary by record, so read each entry and ask what it means for that job.
Why it matters to a buyer
An open permit can slow a sale, lead to questions from lenders or insurers, or leave the new owner responsible for finishing and inspecting work they did not do. It can also be a sign of unfinished work. It is not always a problem, and it is not a finding of anything wrong.
Questions to ask the seller or agent
- Which permits are open or expired, and why?
- Was the work finished, and is there an inspection sign-off?
- Do the listing square footage and bedroom count match the permitted work?
- Who did the work, and was it done by a licensed contractor?
What to do next
Run the address through a permit history report, then take what you find to your agent, a home inspector or a licensed professional. Public records can be incomplete, so they are a starting point, not a substitute for an inspection.
Know before you book!
Related guides
- Unpermitted work: what buyers should know
- Los Angeles property permit history report
- How to look up permits for a Los Angeles address
- Buying a home in Los Angeles: property history check
- Can you trust square footage in a Los Angeles listing?
- What a code enforcement case means
Common questions
Can I buy a house with an open permit?
Often yes, but it depends on the work and on your lender and insurer. Ask the seller to explain the permit and talk to your agent about whether it should be resolved before closing.
What does a finaled permit mean?
Usually that the work was inspected and the City closed the permit. Read the individual record for details.
How do I find the permits on a Los Angeles property?
You can search the City records yourself, or run a Deedlore permit history report for the address, which lists permits and inspections in plain English.
Do permit records show unpermitted work?
No. Records show permits that were pulled. Work done without a permit does not appear, which is one reason to compare permit history with the listing and have the home inspected.
Which addresses are covered?
Addresses in the City of Los Angeles only.