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Residential Resale Inspections Required as of 2/15/2020

Town of Larkspur Municipal Code Section 15.50.040 requires a Fire Department residential resale inspection and report on all single-family dwellings listed for sale within the Larkspur City limits and incorporated Greenbrae effective February 15, 2020. A fire department resale inspection is not required for individual condominiums or townhomes unless the entire building/complex is being sold.

A fee of $190 will be assessed for each individual inspection. A Central Marin Fire Department Inspector will complete the inspection within 7-10 business days of application/request submittal. To schedule an inspection, please complete the online form and submit a secure payment by credit card. An appointment time is not required, as we do not enter the dwelling.  If you would like to meet with the inspector, please request an appointment at the time you apply for the inspection, and the inspector will contact you to schedule a time.

The Residential Property Resale Inspection is an exterior inspection of the residence required to ensure compliance with state law and local ordinances, primarily related to wildfire hazards.  The report and code requirements are to be included in the seller's disclosures.  Buyers are required to maintain properties in compliance with vegetation management and wildfire hazard codes and standards.

Order a Resale Inspection

Inspection Criteria

Fire Inspectors will be looking for the following items during the inspection:

  • All properties are required to meet the flammable vegetation clearance requirements of PRC 4291 and Ca Gov Code 51189. California Fire Code Sections 4907.2 & 4908.
  • Maintenance of “Defensible Space” for a distance of 100-150 feet (or to the property line) from all structures is required.  This includes clearance of all accumulated dead vegetation on the property.
  • Removal of all fire-prone vegetation within 30' structures, up to 150 feet when topographical or combustible vegetation types necessitate removal. Examples of fire prone species include but are not limited to juniper, bamboo, fountain grasses, French and scotch broom.
  • Any tree limbs extending within 10 feet of a chimney outlet, or 6 feet from the roof, must be removed.
  • Trees adjacent to or overhanging a building must be completely free of dead wood.
  • Address numbers must be plainly visible and legible from the road fronting the property.  Numbers must be at least 4 inches tall and a color that contrasts with their background (an address number painted on a curb is not acceptable).
  • Combustible vegetation must be cleared within 10 feet (horizontally) of roadways and/or driveways, and 15 feet of overhead clearance must be provided.
  • A spark arrestor of heavy wire mesh with openings between 3/8 and 1/2 inch is required on all chimneys.
  • Additional items may be required for compliance with state law or local ordinances related to wildfire hazards upon inspection.

If you have questions regarding the resale inspection program/process, please contact the Central Marin Fire Authority Fire Prevention Bureau at (628) 600-9988.

SECTION 14. City of Larkspur Municipal Code Amendment – Title 15, Chapter 15.40 “Reports of Residential Building Records” 

Section 15.40.040 Application is hereby amended to read as follows (with additions in italics and deletions in strikethrough): 
A. Upon application of the owner, and payment of a fee established by resolution, the building official shall review pertinent City records and inspect the premises in question. Upon completion of the review and inspection, he shall deliver a report to the owner, which shall contain the following information: 
  1. The street address or other appropriate description of subject property;
  2. A parcel drawing of subject property, which may be a reproduction of a portion of the maps of the County Assessor;
  3. The zoning classification and authorized use as set forth in City ordinances and regulations;
  4. The occupancy, as indicated and established by permits of record;
  5. Variances, conditional use permits, exceptions, and other pertinent legislative acts of record;
  6. A statement as to whether there appears to be any nonconformity as to construction, electrical, plumbing, or heating conditions;
  7. A statement as to whether there appears to be any nonconformity or illegality in the structures on the property or the uses being made thereof;
  8. A statement of whether or not the property is listed in the Larkspur historic resources inventory.
  9. A statement by the fire official as to whether the buildings are equipped with fire sprinkler systems, emergency gate key access, and whether any fire hazards exist on the premises.
  10. A statement by the fire official as to whether there exist properly maintained defensible spaces around each building and structure as provided for in Section 14.04.110.
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