Selling a house in Monterey, CA: what the city requires
Monterey County, California · Last checked November 2026
Monterey requires a Residential Property Report before a sale.
What Monterey requires
Residential Property Report
- Who does it
- City of Monterey
- Cost
- From $168 per the 2026 title-company list
Who to call
City of Monterey
(831) 646-3890
Official page
Housing in Monterey
- Median year homes were built
- 1971
- Median home value
- $1,076,300
- Owner-occupied homes
- 4,535 of 12,534 (36%)
- Total housing units
- 14,136
Homes here are typically from 1971 or later, so inspections tend to focus on safety items like smoke and CO alarms, GFCI outlets and handrails.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for Monterey city, California.
Need this done in Monterey?
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How the city presale report process works
Some California cities require a presale records report before escrow closes. It tells the buyer what the city has on file: legal use, permits, open violations, and sometimes items found on an inspection.
- Order the report from the city as soon as you list. Processing can take days to weeks.
- Read it for unpermitted work or open violations. These are the items that slow a sale.
- Give the report to the buyer before the deadline in the city ordinance, usually before close of escrow.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| City report fee | $0 to $1,050, depending on the city |
Read the full city presale report guide
If the house fails
You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.
Frequently asked questions
What does Monterey require before I sell my house?
Monterey requires a Residential Property Report before a sale.
How much does the residential property report cost in Monterey?
From $168 per the 2026 title-company list Typical related costs: city report fee $0 to $1,050, depending on the city.
What if my house fails?
You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.
Who pays, the buyer or the seller?
The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.
How old are the homes in Monterey?
The median home in Monterey was built in 1971, and the median home value is $1,076,300, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: Santa Cruz & Monterey
- Capitola Required at sale
- Marina Required at sale
- Salinas Required at sale
- Santa Cruz Required at sale
- Santa Cruz County Required at sale
- Seaside Required at sale
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Sources
- WFG National Title, Presale Inspection Reports 2026 (cities that require a building report)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25035, B25077, B25003, B25001)
Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.