Follow up on LADBS permits for remodeled home purchase

History:

Back in Oct, we found a house that we liked in LA and went through inspections and disclosures to realize the seller had not pulled any permits for an extensive remodel and sqft addition. We went through multiple rounds of Request for Repairs all contingent on the fact that they get a CofO.

Previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/RealEstate/comments/1of7jv8/deciding_to_pull_out_of_escrow_to_purchase/

Progress:

Given that we were entering a period of home purchase dormancy and the economy was shaky, we decided to grant them an extension to go pursue permits. They filed with LADBS for a grading permit in Dec 2025 and then started the long zoning plan check process in Feb 2026. The Plan Check was approved on 5/22.

Context:

The seller wasn't very forthcoming about not having a CofO. We found out about it during general inspection where the inspector found open electrical junction boxes in the attic and ungrounded GFCI outlets - which would've been found during an LADBS permit inspection.

Today:

Once the Plan Check got approved on 5/22, LADBS showed a bunch of pending inspections and today (5/27), all inspections cleared and we got a note from the seller that the inspections went great!

Questions:

- is this normal for a retroactive permit for inspections after the fact? the remodel has already been complete

- how can there be no invasive inspection of the dry walls, wiring, plumbing or anything internal to the structure?

- should we be concerned about the legitimacy of the inspection?

- we have not yet heard about any findings or corrections from the inspector. But wouldn't the exposed junction boxes etc trigger a finding at the very least?

Looking for some experience or suggestions from the community.

submitted by /u/boilerdam
[link] [comments]

source https://www.reddit.com/r/RealEstate/comments/1tph2dj/follow_up_on_ladbs_permits_for_remodeled_home/