Selling a house in San Francisco, CA: what the city requires
San Francisco County, California · Last checked November 2026
San Francisco has no point-of-sale sewer lateral rule. Sellers must provide a Report of Residential Building Record (3R) to the buyer.
What San Francisco requires
Report of Residential Building Record (3R)
- Who does it
- Department of Building Inspection
- Cost
- $214 per the 2026 title-company list
- Deadline
- Before the sale.
Who to call
San Francisco Department of Building Inspection
(628) 652-3420
Official page
Housing in San Francisco
- Median year homes were built
- 1946
- Median home value
- $1,394,500
- Owner-occupied homes
- 139,057 of 363,970 (38%)
- Total housing units
- 414,602
With half the homes built by 1946, inspectors here commonly flag older wiring, missing GFCI outlets, handrails, and worn exteriors. Fix the cheap items before the inspection.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for San Francisco city, California.
Need this done in San Francisco?
Get quotes from a local local permit expediter, help with repairs, or a cash offer to sell as-is. We pass your request to independent local providers. Free, no obligation.
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
Other towns with the same requirement: Sewer lateral video or dye test
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 San Francisco require before I sell my house?
San Francisco has no point-of-sale sewer lateral rule. Sellers must provide a Report of Residential Building Record (3R) to the buyer.
How much does the report of residential building record cost in San Francisco?
$214 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 San Francisco?
The median home in San Francisco was built in 1946, and the median home value is $1,394,500, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: San Francisco Bay Area
- Alameda Required at sale
- Albany Required at sale
- Belmont No point-of-sale rule
- Belvedere Required at sale
- Berkeley Required at sale
- Burlingame Required at sale
- Castro Valley Required in some cases
- Corte Madera Required at sale
- Crockett Required at sale
- Daly City Required at sale
- El Cerrito Required at sale
- Emeryville 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.