Impossible task?

[37chief]

I just started the process of splitting the property Mom left my brother and my self. Now the city wants to see the building permits on the two houses on the place. One built in the 60's no problem. Now the other one built around 1889. Did they ever require building permits back then. I know each state is different. I am in Calif. How can I find something like this? Stan
 

[wolfman]

Anything before 1935 is "grandfathered in".
 

[wolfman]

Anything before 1935 is "grandfathered in".
 

[Larry NEIL]

You might tell that since they hold all the records, they should look iot up themselves!
 

[Janicholson]

The house will be listed as part of a property on the Deed. There will be no other documentation. Jim
 

[showcrop]

There is no universal date for "grandfathering". Something that is grandfathered predates whatever is the enacting date of the law covering the issue. What you need to do is research or hire to have researched, when building permits were legislated into effect by the authority having jurisdiction. It looks like in your situation it is the city. Any builder/remodeler has probably already paid to have it researched.
 

[ShadetreeRet]

Lord knows, Larry, I know it makes you want to say that, but now ain't the time to say anything that would create any ill will at all. I seriously doubt if any kind of permit was required that long ago, and once the situation is explained to them they should drop it.
 

[ErnieD]

Can you get a certificate of compliance from the building department?

Could the buyers attorney be asking for the permits? Seems to me the building department should have a copy of permits issued.
 

[Old Bob]

Dont be burning any bridges. You want to act like a choir boy in Sunday School.
 

[Pops1532]

Why do they want to see the permits? Not sure why they would need THAT info. Legal description, proposed use (zoning), survey showing setbacks, etc yes, but building permits? I just don't see any logic in that unless they're hoping the permit and related paperwork will show the setbacks, septic locations, etc.
It would help to know what info they are hoping to find with the permits.

Unlikely a permit was required in 1889. Permits are issued by whatever jurisdiction the houses were built in. Could be city, could be county. Probably the same jurisdiction that you're dealing with.

My BIL bought 7 acres with the idea of splitting it into 3 lots. He had to hire a lawyer and the county made him jump through some hoops but he got it done. You may end up having to hire a lawyer that specializes in real estate issues.
Good luck!
Pops
 

[504]

Pay a Realtor for a sit down meeting, they can tell you what you need and where to find it. It will be the cheapest $100.00 you ever spent.
 

[MSD]

Sometimes the messengers aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer when you deal with government agencies like that. I would ask to talk to somebody a little higher up the chain and see if you get a different story. I went through the same thing almost every time I wanted to do a project and finally found a lady who was at the top that gave me the right answers without getting jerked around with the lower staff members. Some of them just want o show they have some authority.
 

[320B]

My brother found alot of information on his place at the local library. The year the original family bought the land, how long it took them to clear the land to start farming it, when they started building the house and when it was completed. He also got a copy of a picture of that family and the house just after completion which I think was the around 1890.
 

[Traditional Farmer]

I doubt they had building permits back then as in my area is a county by county requiement and some counies didn't require building permits until the
1980's.Get a real estate lawyer that is familar with
your county to do the work
 

[JOB]

If permits were required back then the city or county should have a copy or record of the permit. I would bet your memory doesn't remember things you did 120 plus years ago.