What happens if you get caught remodeling without a permit in California?

Author: Janis O'Keefe  |  Last update: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

If you get caught remodeling without a permit in California, you may be issued a stop-work order, requiring all construction to cease immediately. You could face fines, which vary depending on the jurisdiction and the scope of the unpermitted work.

What is the penalty for not getting a permit in California?

For example, if you build without a permit in California, homeowners and contractors are liable, and both need to pay fines. According to California Contractors State License Board (CSLB), contractors must pay up to $5,000 per violation and are subject to disciplinary action.

Do I need a permit to remodel my house in California?

Building permits are required because remodeling a kitchen or bathroom often involves changes in the existing electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems and may cause alteration to the framing of the room. California Law mandates obtaining a building permit for this type of construction.

Can you sue previous homeowner for unpermitted work?

Legal Grounds for Suing

Real estate practices require sellers to disclose any known unpermitted improvements. If the previous owner intentionally hid this information, you might have a case for misleading real estate practices.

What happens if I finish my basement without a permit?

Without a permit, your finished basement may be declared as unpermitted work. You may have to pull down the work and begin the entire process of remodeling from scratch. That's a lot of stress for any homeowner. You might like 10 Basement Bar Design Ideas For A Luxurious Outlook.

Did You Remodel Without Permits?

How do you legally finish a basement?

Prepare Your Space
  1. Apply for a Permit. Getting a permit is essential to the job. ...
  2. Take Care of Dampness. You never want to install drywall in your basement before checking for water or high humidity. ...
  3. Pick Your Materials. Drywall or plaster? ...
  4. Gather Your Tools. ...
  5. Install Insulation. ...
  6. Frame the Walls. ...
  7. Install Utilities. ...
  8. Mount Drywall.

How much do permits cost to finish a basement?

Cost: HomeAdvisor data shows that the average cost for a building permit for basement finishing is $1,200–$2,000, but it can be substantially higher since it's based on where you live and what's included in the finish.

Is unpermitted work illegal?

Unpermitted work can be a legal nightmare for homeowners, potentially resulting in fines, penalties, and even the loss of your home. By ensuring that all renovations and repairs are properly permitted and inspected by your local building department, you can avoid these legal issues and protect your investment.

Do home inspectors check for unpermitted work?

While home inspectors do not specifically check for permits, they are skilled in identifying signs that suggest unpermitted work might be present: Reviewing Property Records: Inspectors often verify if the current state of the home matches the descriptions in city or county records.

What happens if you buy a house and something is wrong?

If you discover material defects after the real estate transaction has closed, you may have an action for breach of contract. A qualified, local real estate attorney with experience in housing and construction defects can help you understand your rights and draft an appropriate demand letter.

What can a homeowner do without a permit in California?

What can a Homeowner do without a Permit in California?
  • Repainting your house.
  • Adding kitchen cabinets with no changes to the layout of the kitchen.
  • Replacing certain kitchen appliances.
  • Repaving your driveway or external paths.
  • Installing floor coverings, such as carpets, tiles, or laminate flooring.

How much do contractors charge to pull permits in California?

How Much Should Contractors Charge for Pulling Permits? General contractors must cover both permit cost and time compensation when charging for permits. The average permit cost is between $400 and $2,500.

Who is responsible for pulling permits?

Various state regulations require contractors to pull permits. California, for example, mandates that anyone who works on your home must be licensed by the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) if the project is over $500.

What happens if a contractor doesn't get a permit?

If your contractor didn't get a building permit before starting construction on your home, you're responsible for securing a permit after the fact. The cost of pulling a permit gets significantly more expensive if you wait until after the work has started.

Do I need a permit to remodel my bathroom in California?

Do You Need A Permit To Remodel A Bathroom In California? Yes, permits are required for all aspects of remodeling a bathroom. This includes making any additions or modifications that involve construction, electrical wiring, plumbing structures, and other mechanical processes.

Who is responsible for pulling permits in California?

Building permits can be obtained by the homeowner or a licensed contractor. The person or persons performing the work must obtain the permit. It is a violation of state law if a contractor commences work without first obtaining a permit under their state contractor's license.

How do I legalize unpermitted work in California?

How Can I Legalize Unpermitted Work In California?
  1. Meet with the Planning Department. ...
  2. Hire an Contractor or Designer to Draw Floor Plans. ...
  3. Submit Documents for Design Review. ...
  4. Schedule Initial Inspection. ...
  5. Final Inspection & Issuance of Certificate of Occupancy.

How do I get unpermitted work approved?

Once the designs for your unpermitted space meet building code, you can apply for a retroactive permit. You'll need to submit all drawings and documentation of the space. Retroactive building permits are special permits that are issued for structures which did not initially receive a building permit.

How to disclose unpermitted work?

You'll most likely do this on a state-specific disclosure statement, which probably (as is true in most states) asks the seller to report any known legal issues or unpermitted construction on the property. See Required Disclosures When Selling U.S. Real Estate for more information.

Can you be sued for unpermitted work?

Failing to obtain necessary permits can be considered negligence. Homeowners can sue for negligence and seek compensation for: Property Damage: Any damage caused by unpermitted work. Injuries: Harm caused by unsafe construction practices.

Can I get a permit after work is done in California?

If you've started on a renovation project and recently discovered that you don't have the necessary building permit, you can apply for a retroactive one. If you obtain a retroactive license during or after construction, you can finish your project without tearing down the whole structure.

Can a building inspector come on your property without permission in CA?

Generally a code enforcement officer cannot enter without a warrant if you do not provide permission. Exceptions to that rule may include emergency situations where obtaining a warrant is not possible, for example if the premises are on fire and entering the premises is a necessity.

Can you finish a basement for $10,000?

Average Cost to Remodel a Basement

Remodeling a basement costs $5,000-$10,000 on average, so you can easily finish your basement for $10,000 or less. Typically, this cost includes: Adding walls. New flooring.

How long does it take to get a building permit in California?

These impact and review fees can be a sizeable amount. Overall processing time to obtain a new single family dwelling building permit is typically six months to one year from submittal to issuance of the permit. Plan check turnaround times for “log-in” plan checks vary due to workload.

How much does a permit cost in California?

Costs to get a Driving Permit in California

For both the California driver's permit age-based temporary licenses, future drivers must pay the same application fee of $39.

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