Terms and Conditions


Potential Limitations of Permits

There are hundreds of county and city level jurisdictions in California. Each tends to use slightly different methods of requiring, processing, storing, and making permits available. Jurisdictional records may be incomplete because permits were not obtained, are filed in a different department, were lost, misplaced or even discarded. Therefore, the absence of a building permit does not necessarily mean that construction was done without a permit. The mere presence of a building permit does not necessarily mean that construction took place or was properly accomplished either.

If permits are found, they must be examined and analyzed. It's not uncommon for property owners to obtain permits and then simply not build. Such permits may give the impression that remodeling or changes were made to property that was never done. Sometimes permits are obtained and owners do not have proper inspections. In some cases, permits are not "sign-offs". Sometimes a passing final inspection may be recorded on the back of the permit. When the permit is microfilmed for storage, the back of the permit may not be included. In those cases, we have no information as to whether the permit was finalized or not.

When analyzing a permit, remember that older homes may not "conform" to current codes and building requirements, but this does not necessarily mean that the home is in "non-compliance". Minimum building and construction standards are revised and changed over time as new information, materials, and methods of construction are developed. An older home, addition, or remodel may have been built in compliance with an older set of building standards. In this case, the home is said to be "non-conforming". It does not necessarily mean there is anything wrong with the quality of the home. If a construction project or home is said to be in "non-compliance", it means the work was not done according to the minimum code that was current when the work was undertaken.

Terms, Conditions and Limitations of Liability

The Permit Report ("Report") was prepared by The Permit Report, LLC., a California limited liability company solely for and may be used only in connection with the transaction presently contemplated between this buyer and this seller relating to the property address ("Property") and assessor's parcel number ("APN") furnished to The Permit Report as shown on page 1 of the Report. This Report is subject to these terms, conditions and limitations of liability. The Seller or seller's agent is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the property address and APN within five (5) days of receipt of this Report. Upon notification of an inaccurate address or APN within said 5-day period, The Permit Report will issue a replacement report. The information contained in this Report is based on those documents available on the date shown on page 1 of this Report and is valid only as of the date shown on page 1 of this Report. The Permit Report will not be liable for documents which are not contained in the governmental or public files and records for the Property on the date of the Report.

GOVERNMENTAL OR PUBLIC FILES MAY NOT CONTAIN ALL PERMITS PERTAINING TO THAT SUBJECT PROPERTY AT THE TIME OF THE SEARCH, THEREFOR THE PERMIT REPORT, INC. IS NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY PERMIT THAT CAN NOT BE FOUND AT THE TIME OF THE PERMIT SEARCH.

This Report is for the exclusive use and reliance of the buyer, seller, listing agent/broker and selling agent/broker, if any, involved in the current transaction. This Report is not intended to be and may not be used for any other purposes, including but not limited to appraisal or valuation of the Property or a certificate that the Property complies with current laws, statutes, regulations and codes. This Report may not be used by or relied upon by any other parties, including but not limited to lenders or subsequent buyers of the Property. There shall be no third party beneficiaries to this Report regardless of their relationship with or to the buyer, the seller, the listing agent/broker, the selling agent/broker or the Property. The Permit Report makes no representations, promises or covenants as to the Report's effect on the value of the Property as a result of the various items contained in this Report.

The information provided in this Report is time-sensitive and may be considered accurate only as of the date shown on page 1 of this Report. Governmental actions occurring after the date shown on page 1 of this Report are not disclosed. Additional items, including but not limited to permits, applications, violations and/or city approved changes, not available from governmental agencies or public records as of the date shown on page 1 of this Report are not disclosed. The Permit Report shall have no duty or obligation to inform the buyer, the seller or their respective agents/brokers of any changes or governmental actions pertaining to or affecting the Property which become effective after the date shown on page 1 of this Report.

The Permit Report has relied solely upon records, statutes and information specifically referred to in this Report for preparation of this Report. The records and information were supplied by various governmental or public agencies. The Permit Report has assumed that the records and information supplied by various governmental and public agencies are complete and accurate. Consequently, The Permit Report shall not be responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions in governmental or public records or in information reported by various governmental or public agencies. No physical inspection of the Property has been made for purposes of preparing this Report.

Under no circumstances will The Permit Report be responsible for errors in the data obtained from governmental or public agencies. The Permit Report recommends that if any party to this transaction has any concerns or questions regarding information contained in this Report, they contact the appropriate governmental, public, local or state agencies.

ACCEPTANCE OR USE OF THIS REPORT, OR EXECUTION BY THE BUYER, SELLER, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AGENTS, CONSTITUTES APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND LIMITATIONS STATED HEREIN. The Permit Report SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR LOST PROFITS, DIMINUTION IN PROPERTY VALUE OR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH, OR ARISING OUT OF, THE PREPARATION, ISSUANCE, OR USE OF THIS REPORT.