Structured permit history reports for property owners, buyers, and real estate agents. The clarity you need before you buy, sell, or build.
Request a Permit History Report →Unpermitted work is one of the most common and expensive surprises in real estate. A garage conversion, an added bathroom, an enclosed patio — if it was built without permits, it's your problem once you own it.
Legalizing unpermitted work after purchase can cost $10,000–$50,000 or more. It can complicate financing, delay renovations, trigger code enforcement, and reduce resale value. A permit history report costs a fraction of that and takes days, not months.
Every building permit on record for the property — original construction, alterations, additions, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and demolition.
We identify work that appears to have been done without permits by comparing the permit record against the property's current condition and listing details.
Permits that were pulled but never finaled, expired permits, and permits with outstanding inspection requirements — all of which can create complications.
Any code enforcement cases, complaints, or violations on record — resolved or open.
A clear, professional document suitable for buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, and attorneys — not a stack of raw records you have to interpret yourself.
If issues are found, we provide a clear assessment of what they mean and what it would take to resolve them — so you can make an informed decision.
A permit history report is a structured document that details every building permit on record for a property, identifies potentially unpermitted work, flags open or expired permits, and provides an assessment of the property's permit compliance status. It's a critical tool for real estate due diligence.
Most permit history reports are delivered within 5–7 business days. Rush delivery may be available depending on the jurisdiction and complexity of the property's history. We'll confirm the timeline when you place your order.
Yes — especially in Santa Barbara, where older homes and properties with renovation history frequently have unpermitted work. A permit history report during your due diligence period can reveal liabilities that a standard home inspection won't catch, giving you leverage in negotiations or the information to walk away.
If unpermitted work is identified, you have options: negotiate with the seller to legalize it before closing, adjust the purchase price to account for the cost of bringing it into compliance, or proceed with a plan to address it after purchase. SBP can manage the legalization process through our Code Compliance & Enforcement Resolution service.
Absolutely. Many agents order permit history reports as part of their standard service to clients — both buyers and sellers. We deliver the report directly to you and your client.
A permit history report is the most cost-effective due diligence you can do. Contact us to order one for any property in Santa Barbara County.