San Anselmo Ends Residential Resale Inspection Program After More Than 50 Years

In a significant change for the local real estate market, the Town of San Anselmo formally ended its longstanding mandatory Residential Resale Inspection program in March 2026. The program, which had been in place since 1969, required sellers to complete a town-conducted inspection before closing the sale of a home.

The repeal marks a major shift in how residential real estate transactions will move forward in San Anselmo and brings the town more in line with the standard practices used throughout most California municipalities.

Why Was the Program Repealed?

Over the years, many local real estate agents, homeowners, and buyers expressed concerns that the mandatory inspection process had become redundant, costly, and capable of delaying transactions. Critics argued that buyers were already conducting their own inspections during escrow and reviewing extensive disclosure packages, making the additional town inspection feel duplicative.

The Town Council ultimately voted to repeal the ordinance after growing feedback from the community that the process no longer provided enough value to justify the extra time and expense involved in a home sale.

What Changes for Buyers and Sellers?

Mandatory Town Inspections Are No Longer Required

Previously, sellers were required to pay for a municipal inspection intended to identify:

• Safety hazards
• Potential code violations
• Open or unpermitted construction
• Other property-related concerns

As of March 2026, that requirement has officially been eliminated.

This means sellers can now move through escrow without scheduling or paying for a town resale inspection, potentially reducing both costs and closing delays.

Optional Permit History Review May Still Be Available

Although the mandatory inspection program has ended, the Town Council directed staff to develop an optional and expedited file-review service. This would allow buyers or their representatives to voluntarily review permit history and available town records related to a property.

For buyers who want additional information regarding past permits, remodels, or property history, this optional review could still provide value during due diligence.

What Replaces the Inspection Process?

Moving forward, buyers and sellers in San Anselmo will primarily rely on the same tools commonly used throughout the rest of California, including:

• Independent private property inspections
• Home, roof, pest, and sewer lateral inspections
• Seller disclosure documents
• Permit investigations conducted by buyers or their agents

In practice, many transactions in San Anselmo were already heavily relying on these private inspections and disclosures, which likely contributed to the Town Council’s decision to eliminate the mandatory municipal requirement.

What This Means for the Local Real Estate Market

For many sellers, this change may help streamline the escrow process and reduce one layer of uncertainty during a transaction. For buyers, due diligence remains critically important, especially when reviewing permit history, additions, remodels, and property condition.

Even without the town inspection requirement, buyers should still carefully review all disclosures, inspection reports, and available property records during escrow.

As always, every property is different, and working with experienced local real estate professionals, inspectors, and contractors remains an important part of the home buying and selling process.

For the latest updates regarding the optional file-review process or future town procedures, visit the official Town of San Anselmo website.