How fast can you buy my house?

We can close in as little as 7 days, or on your preferred timeline. After you contact us, we'll provide a cash offer within 24 hours. Once you accept, we handle all the paperwork and can close quickly at a local title company.

Do I need to make repairs before selling?

No repairs needed. We buy houses in any condition - whether it needs minor updates or major renovations. We purchase properties as-is, so you don't need to spend money fixing anything before the sale.

Are there any fees or commissions?

There are no fees, commissions, or closing costs when you sell to us. The cash offer we make is the amount you receive. We cover all typical closing costs and there are no hidden charges.

How do you determine your offer price?

We evaluate your property based on its location, condition, comparable sales in the area, and current market conditions. We then make a fair cash offer that works for both parties while accounting for any repairs we'll need to make after purchase.

What types of properties do you buy?

We buy all types of residential properties including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, duplexes, and multi-family properties. We purchase homes in any condition - inherited properties, homes facing foreclosure, properties needing repairs, and more.

Is there any obligation if I request an offer?

Absolutely not. Our cash offers are completely free and come with no obligation. You can take your time to consider our offer and there's never any pressure to accept. If you decide not to sell, that's perfectly fine.

Selling a House With Code Violations in Southern California - What Homeowners Need to Know

By Dylan Eterovich | March 7, 2026

TLDR: You can sell a house with code violations in Southern California, but you must disclose them. Common violations include unpermitted additions, unpermitted ADUs, electrical or plumbing work done without permits, and zoning violations. Fixing violations before selling can cost $5,000 to $50,000+ depending on the issue. Selling as-is to a cash buyer is often the fastest solution because they handle the violations after purchase.

If your home has code violations, you're not stuck. Thousands of properties across Southern California have some kind of permit or code issue, whether it's an unpermitted garage conversion, a room addition that was never signed off, or a rental unit built without proper approvals. The question isn't whether you can sell. It's how.

What Counts as a Code Violation?

In Southern California, the most common code violations we see in homes fall into a few categories:

Unpermitted construction: This is by far the most common. Room additions, enclosed patios, converted garages, and bathroom additions that were done without building permits. The City of Chula Vista, like most Southern California municipalities, requires permits for any structural work, electrical changes, plumbing modifications, and changes to the building footprint.

Unpermitted ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units): Southern California has seen a massive push to build ADUs, but many homeowners added "granny flats" or garage conversions before the current ADU laws were updated (California AB 68 and SB 13 in 2020 made permitting easier). Older conversions often lack proper egress, fire separation, or utility connections.

Electrical and plumbing violations: DIY electrical work, improper panel upgrades, water heaters installed incorrectly, or plumbing connections that don't meet current code. These are safety issues that inspectors take seriously.

Zoning violations: Operating a business from a residential property, having more units than the zoning allows, or setback encroachments where additions were built too close to the property line.

For a deeper dive into specific situations, see our guide on selling a home with code violations.

California Disclosure Requirements

California has some of the strictest seller disclosure laws in the country. Under the Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS), required by California Civil Code Section 1102, you must disclose any known material facts about the property, including known code violations.

Key disclosure obligations:

Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS): Required for most residential sales. You must disclose known defects, unpermitted work, and code violations.
Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD): Required for properties in flood zones, fire zones, earthquake fault zones, etc. Much of Southern California falls into one or more of these zones.
Local city disclosures: Some Southern California cities require additional disclosures. Chula Vista, for example, may require disclosure of violations noted in city records.

Failing to disclose known violations can expose you to lawsuits after the sale. California courts have consistently held sellers liable for non-disclosure, with damages that can include repair costs, diminished value, and even rescission of the sale.

The Cost of Fixing Violations Before Selling

Bringing unpermitted work up to code isn't just about the construction cost. Here's what's actually involved:

Permit fees: In Chula Vista, permit fees for retroactive permits can range from $500 to $5,000+ depending on the scope of work
Plans and engineering: You'll likely need stamped architectural drawings ($2,000-$8,000) and possibly structural engineering calculations ($1,500-$5,000)
Demolition or remediation: If the work can't be brought to code, the city may require you to remove it entirely. Removing an unpermitted room addition can cost $10,000-$30,000
Upgrades to current code: Even if the work was done well, building codes have changed. A room addition from 2005 may need upgrades to meet 2022 California Building Code standards for energy efficiency, electrical, and fire safety
Timeline: The permit and inspection process can take 3-6 months minimum in Southern California, sometimes much longer

For properties with fire damage or water damage combined with code violations, the costs can escalate quickly.

Your Options for Selling

Option 1: Fix the Violations and List on the Market

This maximizes your sale price but requires time and capital. You'll need to hire a contractor, pull retroactive permits, pass inspections, and then list with an agent. Best for homeowners who have 6-12 months and the budget to invest.

Option 2: List As-Is With Full Disclosure

You can list the property on the MLS with full disclosure of the violations. Expect 15-30% fewer buyers to be interested (many lenders won't finance homes with known code violations), and expect lower offers to account for the buyer's repair costs. FHA and VA loans, which many first-time buyers use, often cannot be used for properties with significant code issues.

Option 3: Sell to a Cash Buyer

Cash buyers purchase homes regardless of code violations because they don't need lender approval. This is the fastest option: no repairs, no permit process, no months of waiting. Here's how the process works. The offer will reflect the cost of resolving the violations, but you avoid all the hassle and expense of fixing things yourself.

Get a cash offer on your home, regardless of code violations. We buy homes in Otay Ranch, Eastlake, Hilltop, Bonita, and throughout Chula Vista.

A Note on Southern California ADU Amnesty Programs

Several Southern California cities have introduced ADU amnesty or legalization programs to help homeowners bring unpermitted units into compliance. California state law (AB 2533, effective 2025) also creates a pathway for legalizing existing unpermitted ADUs built before 2018. If your code violation is specifically an unpermitted ADU, check with the City of Chula Vista's planning department to see if an amnesty program might simplify your situation.

That said, these programs still require bringing the unit up to health and safety standards, which can cost $15,000-$40,000+ depending on what's needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell a house with unpermitted work in Southern California?

Yes, but you must disclose the unpermitted work to the buyer. Cash buyers are typically the easiest path because they don't need lender approval and can handle the permitting process themselves after purchase.

Will a buyer's lender refuse to finance a home with code violations?

Often, yes. Conventional lenders, and especially FHA and VA lenders, require the property to meet certain habitability standards. Known code violations can cause an appraisal to come in as "subject to repairs," which means the loan won't fund until the issues are resolved. This is why many homes with code violations sell to cash buyers.

What happens if I don't disclose code violations to a buyer?

In California, failure to disclose known material defects can result in the buyer suing you after the sale. Courts can award repair costs, diminished property value, and in some cases the buyer can rescind the entire transaction. It's not worth the risk. Always disclose.

How do I find out if my home has code violations?

Check with the City of Chula Vista's Development Services Department. You can request a permit history for your property, which will show all permits pulled and their status. Any work that was done without a permit or that failed final inspection would be a violation. You can also look at your property's tax assessor records, which may show square footage discrepancies that indicate unpermitted additions.

Dealing with an inherited property that also has code issues? Read our guide: Inherited a House in Chula Vista? Here's What to Do Next. You can also learn about the real cost of selling with a realtor vs. a cash buyer to compare your options.

Need to sell a home with code violations? SD Home Offers and Chula Vista Home Buyers purchase properties in any condition throughout San Diego County. Request your free offer today.