Dear <<First Name>>,
if you own a home, especially in San Rafael, this affects you...
There has been lots of noise lately about Residential Building Reports (RBR) in San Rafael. The Marin Association of Realtors has not been happy with the process and many homeowners/home sellers have been very frustrated. I got involved in the issue last year when realtors began calling me to help their clients get through the process. The building department is enforcing the RBR process, including rectification of any work that was done without a permit, in an effort to make sure that our housing stock is safe and up to code. Some believe that this is also a revenue stream for the city of San Rafael.
the process today
When you decide to put your house on the market, you or your realtor must order an RBR. The cost for the report right now is $165, and if all of the work that has been done to your house was done with a permit, that will be the end of your cost. If the building department inspection reveals work that is not permitted, either work that you did to your home or that a prior owner did, then retro-permits must be pulled.
Retro permits are sometimes easily handled (you installed a new furnace without a permit) with a trip to the building department counter. Other times the building department requires drawings of all un-permitted work (that's when I get involved) because a bathroom was remodeled, retaining walls were built, a wall was removed, new windows were installed, etc.
If drawings are required, then not only does time become an issue, but cost goes up significantly. And so does stress level. Depending on the extent of work done, the building department may review the drawings over the counter and issue a permit which will then require an additional inspection. If the work done is extensive, the drawings will be reviewed in the office by a plan checker (a 2-3 week process), comments will be provided, and drawings may require revision or a permit may be issued at this point. Once a permit is issued a final inspection will need to be performed.
Often additional work will be required to bring the earlier un-permitted work up to current code.
the process tomorrow
Due to complaints about the RBR process in San Rafael and an audit by the State Auditor, this process is under review. A meeting was held in the City Council chambers August 1 to study the issue. Five options were presented and discussed. The San Rafael City Council would like input from interested parties.
my take
Not that you asked, but here's my take. The building department's job is to protect the life/safety of San Rafael's citizens. They want us to pull permits when we do work on our homes so that they can ensure that work is done up to current code. The realtors of Marin County want to help you buy or sell your home. There are a lot of hoops to jump through and this one has become, in some cases, very difficult. Sometimes deals are lost because permits don't come through quickly enough.
If you are a home buyer, do you want to know that the home you are purchasing is up to current code? This process assures that it is....at least to some degree. If you are a home seller, it can also slow the process considerably and it can be very expensive, both to fix whatever is not up to current code and in permitting fees.
If you are a homeowner, a home buyer, a home seller, or a realtor in San Rafael, please take the very quick survey linked above. And if you are a homeowner somewhere else, this is important information to become aware of. Most jurisdictions have some version of an RBR as part of the home re-sale process. Knowledge is power!
Reach out if you have questions. I'm happy to help you understand the process.
Keep in touch,
Leslie
parti* notes is...
a compilation of interesting, and hopefully enlightening, information about the worlds of architecture, design and food. My belief is that by sharing what intrigues us, the world we create will become that much more remarkable. If you'd like to expand your horizons, get me in your inbox.
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