The City of Pasadena has fire and general construction code requirements that homeowners must meet when they sell their homes. The program covers all single family residences; including houses, condos, and duplexes.
The program was setup to ensure that housing meets Housing Code requirements. In most cases, a seller will not be able to close escrow without meeting these requirements unless a Transfer of Responsibility agreement is agreed to by the buyer.
The program was revised in 2019 to make the process more efficient for home sellers, buyers, and city staff.
The major change to the program involves the creation of a Presale Self-Certification process. This process permits a homeowner to self certify that their property meets certain fire and general code requirements.
Here are main code requirements that must be met for the homeowner to obtain Presale Certificate of Completion.
- Attached garages should have a self closing, fire rated door if there is access between the garage and the dwelling
- Bedrooms must have at windows that open and close and if there are security bars installed, they should have a functioning quick release mechanism
- Must have functioning carbon monoxide detectors in common areas adjacent to bedrooms, and a minimum of one on each floor
- Must have functioning smoke detectors in every bedroom and in common areas adjacent to bedrooms, and a minimum of one on each floor
- There should be no unpermitted construction; bedrooms, extensions to structure, etc.
- There should be no unpermitted enclosed accessory structures greater than 120 square feet (garage, shed, pool house)
Properties not eligible for a Presale Certificate of Completion require a Presale Certificate of Inspection. In lieu of a Presale Certificate of Completion, a Presale Certificate of Inspection can also be voluntarily requested.
Once your online application is received, a City inspection will be scheduled. Upon completion of the City inspection, you will be provided with a housing inspection report identifying if any of the specified code deficiencies were found. If no deficiencies are found, a Presale Certificate of Inspection will be issued upon payment of the sidewalk assessment fees. If deficiencies are found, the owner can address deficiencies and schedule a re-inspection (additional fee applies), or execute a Transfer of Responsibility, thereby transferring responsibility to the buyer to remedy the identified deficiencies.
Pasadena Certificate of Inspection Fees
Presale Certificate of Inspection (in-person): | $150.38 |
Presale Certificate of Inspection (online): | $150.38 + PayPal processing fee |
Presale Certificate of Compliance (in-person): | $27.78 |
Presale Certificate of Compliance (online): | $27.78 + PayPal processing fee |
To obtain more information and to apply for a Presale Certificate of Completion or Presale Certificate of Inspection please visit the Pasadena website here.
You can call the Permit Center at 626-744-4633 to get current cost information on the inspection.
Pasadena Permit Center
175 N. Garfield Ave.
Pasadena
Monday-Thurs 8 AM to 5 PM
Friday 8 AM to 12 PM
PASADENA SIDEWALK FEE
Aside from the Occupancy Inspection and Certificate of Occupancy, a seller will also have to pay Pasadena’s Sidewalk Fee. This is a levy in imposed on Pasadena homeowners for repairs/improvements to sidewalk infrastructure.
It is a good idea to pay for this fee at the same time you pay for your Occupancy Inspection. You can contact the Permit Center to find out how much the Sidewalk fee would be for your property.