How Ventura Homebuyers Can Use the City’s Public Record Access Portal to Protect Themselves
If you are browsing Zillow, looking at homes for sale in Ventura, there is one tool you should be using before you even think about making an offer: the City of Ventura’s Public Record Access Portal.
It is an underused resource that is essentially a public database of building permits. With just an address, you can instantly see what permits were or were not pulled for work on any property in the city.
Why the Public Record Access Portal Matters
When you are buying a home, you are not just buying what you see. You are also buying everything that is behind the walls, under the roof, and in the ground. That is why permits are so important.
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Verify renovation claims: If a listing says the roof was replaced two years ago, you can check if the permit exists.
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Confirm legal additions: If the home has a new ADU, you can make sure the city issued a Certificate of Occupancy.
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Spot red flags: If a home has been heavily remodeled but has no permits on file, that is a sign to dig deeper.
Buying Homes With Unpermitted Work
Here is the reality: most homes will likely have at least some unpermitted work. For example, in Ventura, you are required to pull a permit just to change the faucet on your bathroom sink. In my opinion, that is excessive. This is an item that is simply done, and should not require a permit and inspection from the city.
There are also plenty of homes where owners retile bathrooms without permits. I have sold homes like that to my buyers and, in most cases, it is not the end of the world. But it should still be part of your due diligence. If you are interested in a home that has been extensively remodeled without permits, you may want to consider hiring a licensed General Contractor to inspect it in addition to your general home inspector. The contractor can evaluate whether the remodel was done correctly and point out any red flags.
Where I would be more cautious is with unpermitted additions or ADUs. Let’s say you buy a home with an unpermitted ADU and a few years later you apply for a permit to remodel it. The city will not have that ADU in their records, and that'll open up a massive can of worms. The city could red-tag the ADU, condemn it, or require you to demolish and rebuild. They could even make you gut it to the studs to verify that all electrical and plumbing was done correctly. Any of these outcomes could be extremely expensive.
How This Helps Homebuyers
Using the portal can save you from costly surprises after closing. It allows you to:
✅ Identify unpermitted work
✅ Avoid unexpected repair bills
✅ Make smarter, more confident offers
How to Access the Portal
The best part? It is free and easy to use. The City of Ventura’s website hosts the Public Record Access Portal for anyone to search.
Here is a link to the portal:
https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1428/Records
If you want step-by-step instructions on how to use this effectively, text "Permit" to 805.707.4121 or email [email protected]
The Bottom Line
Knowledge is power. The Public Record Access Portal is one of the easiest ways to do quick, effective due diligence before you write an offer. Combine it with the expertise of a knowledgeable local Realtor, and it can be the difference between buying your dream home and buying a costly headache.
