City of Pasadena Presale Self-Certification Program

What is the Presale Self-Certification Program?

Pursuant to Ordinance No. 7337 and Pasadena Municipal Code Section 14.17, prior to the close of escrow for the sale of a single family house, condominium, townhouse or duplex, the owner is responsible for obtaining a Presale Certificate of Completion or a Presale Certificate of Inspection. The intent of the program is to improve the safety of residential properties by addressing major life and safety code violations. Properties meeting eligibility requirements for a Presale Certificate of Completion are eligible for self-certification. Properties not eligible for a Presale Certificate of Completion require a Presale Certificate of Inspection.

What is required to be eligible for a Presale Certificate of Completion?

The property must not have any open code compliance cases. In addition, the application for a Presale Certificate of Completion requires the owner to self-certify the following:

• Property’s actual square footage of living space does not exceed LA County Assessor’s record by 10% or greater;
• Property meets fire prevention, detection and exiting requirements; and,
• Property does not have unpermitted construction, additions, conversions or accessory structures greater than 120 square feet.

How do I submit an application for a Presale Certificate of Completion or a Presale Certificate of Inspection?

Presale Self-Certification Program

What is the Presale Self-Certification Program?

Pursuant to Ordinance No. 7337 and Pasadena Municipal Code Section 14.17, prior to the close of escrow for the sale of a single family house, condominium, townhouse or duplex, the owner is responsible for obtaining a Presale Certificate of Completion or a Presale Certificate of Inspection. The intent of the program is to improve the safety of residential properties by addressing major life and safety code violations. Properties meeting eligibility requirements for a Presale Certificate of Completion are eligible for self-certification. Properties not eligible for a Presale Certificate of Completion require a Presale Certificate of Inspection.

What is required to be eligible for a Presale Certificate of Completion?

The property must not have any open code compliance cases. In addition, the application for a Presale Certificate of Completion requires the owner to self-certify the following:

• Property’s actual square footage of living space does not exceed LA County Assessor’s record by 10% or greater;
• Property meets fire prevention, detection and exiting requirements; and,
• Property does not have unpermitted construction, additions, conversions or accessory structures greater than 120 square feet.

How do I submit an application for a Presale Certificate of Completion or a Presale Certificate of Inspection?

Online submittals are most convenient and can be completed online at cityofpasadena.net and at the City of Pasadena Permit Center located at 175 North Garfield, Pasadena.

What happens after I submit my application?

If your application for a Presale Certificate of Completion meets eligibility requirements, you will be eligible to obtain the Presale Certificate of Completion through self-certification. The Presale Certificate of Completion can be obtained online or over-the-counter at the Permit Center.

If your application for a Presale Certificate of Completion is deemed not eligible, you are required to submit an application for a Presale Certificate of Inspection. Once the 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.

What is the sidewalk assessment fee? How much is the fee? Can I pay the fee through escrow?

Pursuant to the Sidewalk Ordinance and Pasadena Municipal Code Section 12.04, property owners are responsible to maintain the sidewalk abutting the property. Periodically the City conducts an inspection and assesses a fee for the cost to repair the sidewalk. Repair of the sidewalk or payment of the sidewalk assessment fee is required prior to issuance of the Presale Certificate of Completion or Presale Certificate of Inspection.

You can find out the amount of your sidewalk assessment fee by clicking the ‘Apply Online’ link above. After selecting your property, you will be informed whether there is a sidewalk assessment fee for the property, and if so, the amount of the fee will be provided.

For properties that have a sidewalk assessment fee, you will be provided an option to pay the sidewalk fee at the conclusion of the application process or pay through escrow. If you select the option to pay the sidewalk fees through escrow, you will be required to provide contact information for the escrow company and identify whether the fees will be paid by the buyer or seller. For any additional questions pertaining to sidewalk assessment fees, please contact Public Works at (626) 744-6736.

What happens after I submit my application?

If your application for a Presale Certificate of Completion meets eligibility requirements, you will be eligible to obtain the Presale Certificate of Completion through self-certification. The Presale Certificate of Completion can be obtained online or over-the-counter at the Permit Center.

If your application for a Presale Certificate of Completion is deemed not eligible, you are required to submit an application for a Presale Certificate of Inspection. Once the 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.

What is the sidewalk assessment fee? How much is the fee? Can I pay the fee through escrow?

Pursuant to the Sidewalk Ordinance and Pasadena Municipal Code Section 12.04, property owners are responsible to maintain the sidewalk abutting the property. Periodically the City conducts an inspection and assesses a fee for the cost to repair the sidewalk. Repair of the sidewalk or payment of the sidewalk assessment fee is required prior to issuance of the Presale Certificate of Completion or Presale Certificate of Inspection.

You can find out the amount of your sidewalk assessment fee by clicking the ‘Apply Online’ link above. After selecting your property, you will be informed whether there is a sidewalk assessment fee for the property, and if so, the amount of the fee will be provided.

For properties that have a sidewalk assessment fee, you will be provided an option to pay the sidewalk fee at the conclusion of the application process or pay through escrow. If you select the option to pay the sidewalk fees through escrow, you will be required to provide contact information for the escrow company and identify whether the fees will be paid by the buyer or seller. For any additional questions pertaining to sidewalk assessment fees, please contact Public Works at (626) 744-6736.