I purchased an older single family home in Sacramento, California, and there’s a tiny unpermitted structure in the back (240 s.f.). The rental housing inspector couldn’t find permits for it and now it’s a hassle. To comply, I need to upgrade it to either a storage shed or an ADU, both of which are expensive. I’m frustrated because the structure is closed off and not rented. I’m considering selling the property since the costs are adding up. Has anyone faced a similar issue?
You’ll likely need to bring the property up to code, demolish the structure, or try for a variance. Selling may be tough since you’ll need to disclose the unpermitted construction.
You might be able to do the work yourself for a fraction of the cost. Ask the inspector what improvements you can make. If the structure pre-dates local codes, you might have a case to keep it.
Check USGS maps for historical structures on your property. This could help establish if it was built before codes changed.
I’m almost certain it was built before the building code existed. How can I prove that?