Pasadena Code Enforcement Guide for Homeowners and Sellers

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team. Information comes from the City of Pasadena Planning & Community Development Department; sources are listed at the end.

In Pasadena, code compliance is handled by the Code Compliance team in the Planning & Community Development Department. According to the city, when an investigation finds a violation of the city code, the property owner is notified and given a reasonable time to correct it.

Pasadena code enforcement at a glance

What happens after a code complaint in Pasadena?

The city’s complaint page explains that a complaint is investigated. If the investigation identifies a violation of city code, the property owner receives notice and a reasonable amount of time to fix it. The Building and Safety Division also enforces the city’s zoning, housing and environmental codes, and the Permit Center directory lists Code Compliance at (626) 744-8633.

What is Pasadena’s Presale Self-Certification Program?

Pasadena offers a Presale Self-Certification Program for people selling property. The city states that the property must not have any open code compliance cases, and that applying for a Presale Certificate of Completion involves the owner self-certifying the property. If you plan a traditional sale, check the program page for current steps and any fee, because an open case blocks eligibility.

Can I sell a house in Pasadena with code violations?

Yes. A violation does not by itself prohibit a sale, but a buyer will want it resolved, want a lower price, or take it on knowingly. Sellers in California generally must disclose known problems, so cited violations should be disclosed.

Pasadena’s presale requirement in detail

Pasadena goes further than most cities: under Ordinance No. 7337 and Pasadena Municipal Code section 14.17, the owner of a single-family house, condominium, townhouse or duplex must obtain a Presale Certificate of Completion or a Presale Certificate of Inspection before escrow closes. The city says the goal is to improve safety by addressing major life and safety code violations. There are two routes:

• Presale Certificate of Completion. This is the self-certification route for eligible properties. The city lists a fee of $29.00 plus processing fees for the in-person application.
• Presale Certificate of Inspection. Properties that do not qualify for self-certification get a city inspection. The in-person fee is $184.00 plus processing fees, and a re-inspection costs extra.

Who qualifies to self-certify

The city’s eligibility conditions are specific.

To self-certify, the property’s actual living space must not exceed the Los Angeles County Assessor’s record by 10 percent or more, the property must meet fire prevention, detection and exiting requirements, and it must not have unpermitted construction, additions, conversions or accessory structures larger than 120 square feet.

The property also must not have open code compliance cases. A seller with a back unit, an enclosed garage or an addition built without permits will probably not qualify for self-certification and will need the inspection route.

What happens at a presale inspection

1. You submit the application online or on paper at the Permit Center, 175 North Garfield Avenue.
2. The city schedules an inspection.
3. You receive a housing inspection report that says whether any of the specified code deficiencies were found.
4. If none were, the city issues the Presale Certificate of Inspection.
5. If there were deficiencies, you can fix them and pay for a re-inspection, or sign a Transfer of Responsibility that passes the duty to correct them to the buyer.

The program contact is (626) 744-7144 or PresaleProgram@cityofpasadena.net. The city page does not state how long a certificate stays valid, so ask when you apply and build the timing into your listing plan.

When a complaint comes first

Outside a sale, the process starts with a complaint, which the city investigates. If a violation is found, the owner is notified and given a reasonable time to correct it. If a complaint is open when you want to sell, resolve it first, because an open case blocks self-certification. The Code Compliance office is at (626) 744-8633.

Disclosure and the Transfer of Responsibility

A Transfer of Responsibility moves the repair duty to the buyer, but it does not replace your state-law disclosure. California Civil Code section 1102.1 says the transfer disclosure statement cannot be waived in an as-is sale and that your duty to disclose material facts remains, and section 1102.3 lets the buyer cancel for a short window if a disclosure arrives after the offer. Our statewide as-is guide explains both sections.

How to sell a house in Pasadena with code violations

1. Get the paperwork: the notice and any correspondence with Code Compliance.
2. Check the permit history. See our Pasadena building permits guide.
3. Compare options: correct the violation, sell with a price credit, or sell as-is to a cash buyer who prices the work in.
4. Disclose honestly and keep communicating with Code Compliance until the sale closes.

We buy Pasadena houses as they are. See how we buy houses in Pasadena or our cash home buyer page.

Dealing with a notice and not sure what it means for a sale? Call (424) 435-2326 or request a cash offer. There is no cost and no obligation.

Timing a Pasadena sale around an open case

Because the Presale Self-Certification Program requires that the property have no open code compliance cases, an open case affects the order in which you do things. Call Code Compliance at (626) 744-8633 and ask whether any case is open on your address and what would close it.

If the case can be closed quickly, finish that first. If it cannot, you have two other routes: sell with the open case disclosed, or sell as-is to a buyer who does not need the city’s presale process.

Rental properties and habitability complaints

The city publishes resources for reporting rental housing maintenance and habitability concerns. If your Pasadena property is a rental, a tenant complaint can start the same kind of investigation as a neighbor’s. Keep repair requests, responses and invoices together, because they show what you knew and when you acted. For sale-time issues with tenants, see our California tenant-occupied home sale guide.

Keeping a clean record

Save every letter from the city, note each call with the date and name, and photograph completed corrections. A tidy record helps in a traditional sale and in an as-is sale, since either buyer will want to know what the city has said about the property. Our California as-is guide covers what sellers generally have to disclose.

Pasadena code enforcement FAQ

How does Pasadena handle a code complaint?

A complaint is investigated, and if a violation of city code is found, the owner is notified and given a reasonable time to correct it.

What is the Presale Self-Certification Program?

A city program for sellers. The property must not have any open code compliance cases, and the owner self-certifies to obtain a Presale Certificate of Completion.

Can I sell a house in Pasadena with an open code case?

Yes, but it blocks the presale program. Disclose it, then choose between correcting it, discounting the price, or selling as-is to a cash buyer.

Who do I call about code compliance in Pasadena?

The Permit Center directory lists Code Compliance at (626) 744-8633.

How much does a Pasadena presale certificate cost?

The city lists $29.00 plus processing fees for an in-person Presale Certificate of Completion and $184.00 plus processing fees for an in-person Presale Certificate of Inspection, with an additional fee for re-inspection.

What stops a Pasadena owner from self-certifying?

Per the city, the property must not exceed the County Assessor’s recorded living space by 10 percent or more, must meet fire prevention, detection and exiting requirements, and must not have unpermitted construction, additions, conversions or accessory structures over 120 square feet. Open code compliance cases also block it.

What is a Transfer of Responsibility in Pasadena?

If an inspection finds deficiencies, the owner can fix them or sign a Transfer of Responsibility that passes the duty to correct them to the buyer.

Can I use Pasadena’s presale program with an open case?

No. The city states that the property must not have any open code compliance cases to use the Presale Self-Certification Program.

What phone number reaches Pasadena Code Compliance?

The Permit Center directory lists Code Compliance at (626) 744-8633.

Sources

• City of Pasadena: File a Complaint
• City of Pasadena: Presale Self-Certification Program
• City of Pasadena: Permit Center

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the City of Pasadena.