What Is an Open Permit and Why Should You Care?

4 min read · April 2026

An open permit is a building permit that was pulled but never received a final inspection. It’s one of the most common — and most misunderstood — property issues in California. Here’s why it matters and what to do about it.

How Open Permits Happen

A contractor pulls a permit, does the work, but never schedules (or passes) the final inspection. The permit stays “open” in the building department’s records indefinitely. The homeowner may not even know the permit was never finalized.

Why It Matters

Home sales: Title companies and lenders check permit records. An open permit is a red flag that can delay or kill a sale.

Refinancing: Lenders may refuse to refinance a property with open permits.

Insurance: If damage occurs in the area covered by the open permit, your insurer may question whether the work was completed to code.

How to Close an Open Permit

Contact your building department and request a final inspection. If the work passes, the permit is closed. If it fails, you’ll need to make corrections first. In some cases, very old open permits can be closed through an administrative process without a full re-inspection — but this varies by jurisdiction.