Does a home inspection check for permits?
Updated October 2, 2026 · 3 min read
No. A standard home inspection evaluates the visible physical condition of the house. It does not include researching permit records or confirming that past work met code. InterNACHI's Standards of Practice state that inspectors are not required to determine compliance with codes or to research the history of the property. Checking permits is a separate step you do yourself.
What an inspector does
An inspector walks the house and reports on what can be seen and tested without taking anything apart: the roof, structure, electrical panel, plumbing fixtures, heating and cooling, and so on. The report describes condition and visible defects.
What an inspector does not do
- Look up the permit history of the address.
- Confirm whether a renovation had a permit or a final inspection.
- Certify that work meets the building code.
- Open walls, floors or ceilings to see what is behind them.
Why the gap matters
A renovation can look finished and still never have been inspected by the city. The parts a city inspector checks, such as wiring, gas piping and framing, are usually hidden once the walls are closed. A home inspector cannot see them either. The permit record is the only place that shows whether someone checked that work before it was covered.
How to cover it
- 1Look up the permit history for the address before the inspection.
- 2Give the list to your inspector. Ask them to pay close attention to areas with open, expired or missing permits.
- 3Ask the seller for sign-off paperwork on anything that is not marked closed.
Common questions
Will a home inspector notice unpermitted work?
Sometimes. An experienced inspector may spot signs such as amateur wiring or an addition that does not match the rest of the house. They will describe what they see, but they will not confirm whether a permit exists.
Does an appraiser check permits?
Not as a rule. An appraiser estimates value. They may note an addition that looks unpermitted, but verifying permits is not part of a typical appraisal.
Who is supposed to check permits when buying a house?
The buyer, usually with help from their agent or attorney. In some areas a municipal lien or permit search is ordered as part of closing, but in many places nobody checks unless the buyer asks.
Read next
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Permit rules vary by city and state. Confirm anything that affects a purchase with the local building department or a real estate attorney.