Selling a House With Code Violations in Arizona
Code violations can feel overwhelming. Whether it's unpermitted work, overgrown landscaping, or structural issues, violations complicate selling your home.
Common Code Violations in Arizona
Building Code Violations
Unpermitted additions or conversions
Garage converted to living space
Illegal guest houses or ADUs
Unpermitted pools or structures
Electrical/plumbing without permits
Property Maintenance Violations
Overgrown vegetation
Junk vehicles
Trash accumulation
Peeling paint
Broken windows
Zoning Violations
Too many unrelated occupants
Running business in residential area
Improper land use
Setback violations
Safety Violations
Blocked exits
Missing smoke detectors
Faulty wiring
Structural hazards
Consequences of Ignoring Violations
Daily fines (up to $250/day in some cities)
Liens on property
Criminal charges (rare but possible)
Difficulty selling
Buyer financing denied
Options for Selling
Fix the Violations
Bring property into compliance
Get proper permits
Pass inspections
Can be expensive and time-consuming
Disclose and Sell As-Is
Inform buyers of violations
Price accordingly
Limited buyer pool
Financing may be difficult
Sell to a Cash Buyer
We buy with violations
No need to fix anything
Close quickly
We handle code enforcement
City-Specific Enforcement
Different Arizona cities have different approaches:
Phoenix
Active code enforcement
Fines accumulate quickly
Liens placed for non-payment
Tucson
Complaint-driven mostly
More lenient timelines
Still must disclose
Mesa
Proactive enforcement in some areas
Strong violation tracking
Unpermitted Work: The Big Issue
The most common problem we see:
Homeowner added room/bathroom No permits pulled No inspections Years later, trying to sell
The fix:
Apply for after-the-fact permits Possibly tear out work for inspection Can cost thousands and take months
Or: Sell to a cash buyer as-is.
How We Handle Code Violations
We buy houses with:
Open violations Accumulated fines Unpermitted work Liens from violations
We have experience negotiating with code enforcement and know what can be fixed vs. what to avoid.
Getting a Cash Offer
Don't let code violations trap you. Get a fair cash offer on your property - violations and all. We'll handle the mess.