Journal · selling
Which City records should I pull first?
Tujunga is part of the City of Los Angeles, so the building record comes from LADBS and zoning from LA City Planning. Order the LADBS records and print the ZIMAS profile, which shows zoning, any Specific Plan (the Foothill Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan applies along the commercial spine) and the fire-zone line. Sheds, studios and second units added over the years are common buyer questions.
Which disclosures should I prepare?
The Transfer Disclosure Statement under Civil Code section 1102 and following, and the Natural Hazard Disclosure under Civil Code section 1103.2, which reports whether the parcel is in a mapped fire hazard zone. In a High or Very High zone, Civil Code section 1102.19 in most cases calls for documentation of defensible space compliance at sale, or a written agreement that the buyer will obtain it, and LAFD requires brush cleared within 200 feet of structures in the City's Very High zone. You also disclose known material facts; section 1102.2 lists transfers exempt from the Transfer Disclosure Statement. Rules as of October 15, 2026; they change, so check the official source and ask a California attorney about your sale. This is general information, not legal advice.
What are the steps, in order, and what does the City add?
Price the house from recent nearby sales. Gather the City records, past inspection reports and brush-clearance receipts. Sign a written listing agreement that sets services, term and fee. Prepare and photograph the home, launch, and review written offers on net proceeds, loan strength and contingency periods. In escrow, inspections, appraisal and title clear, and the deed records with the County. The LA County Registrar-Recorder lists the County documentary transfer tax at $1.10 per $1,000 of value and names five cities with their own rate (Culver City, Los Angeles, Pomona, Redondo Beach and Santa Monica); the City of Los Angeles Office of Finance lists that rate at $2.25 per $500, and Measure ULA adds 4% on sales over $5,400,000 and under $10,900,000 and 5.5% at $10,900,000 or more for transactions closing after June 30, 2026. The contract sets who pays.
Where do I start?
Start with a value for your address. Sidney Manzo can prepare a home value review for your Tujunga house and walk through the steps above. Get my free home review. You can also read the Tujunga seller guide.
Questions homeowners ask next
- How long does it take to sell a house in Tujunga?
- It depends on price, condition and demand on your street, so no one can promise a timeline. Prep often takes a few weeks, longer on a large lot that needs brush clearance or cleanup. Once an offer is accepted, the contract's loan, appraisal and contingency periods set escrow length. Having the City of Los Angeles building records from LADBS and the Natural Hazard Disclosure (Civil Code section 1103.2) ready before listing removes common delays after an offer.
- Do I have to fix my Tujunga house before selling?
- No. You can sell in present condition, but California disclosure duties still apply, including the Transfer Disclosure Statement (Civil Code section 1102 and following) and the Natural Hazard Disclosure (Civil Code section 1103.2). Some repairs return more than they cost; many cosmetic ones do not. Buyers of older Tujunga homes often focus on roofs, drainage, retaining walls and structures added without permits. A pre-listing inspection helps you decide. This is general information, not legal advice.
- What does it cost to sell a house in Tujunga?
- Costs depend on the written agreements and the transaction. Typical items include listing-side fees set in the written agreement, escrow and title charges, the County documentary transfer tax the Registrar-Recorder lists at $1.10 per $1,000, and the City of Los Angeles transfer tax of $2.25 per $500 listed by its Office of Finance, plus Measure ULA on sales over $5,400,000 closing after June 30, 2026. Escrow prepares an estimated closing statement before you sign.
- Is selling in Tujunga different from selling in La Crescenta?
- In paperwork, yes. Tujunga is in the City of Los Angeles, so the building record comes from LADBS, zoning from LA City Planning, and the City adds its own transfer tax to the County's. La Crescenta is unincorporated, with County permits and the County rate only. Confirm the parcel's jurisdiction on ZIMAS or the County Assessor's record before you pull permits or estimate closing costs.
- Do I need an agent to sell my Tujunga house?
- No. Owners may sell on their own in California. Representation starts only with a signed written listing agreement that sets the services, term and fee. Asking Sidney Manzo for a home value review creates no listing agreement, so you can compare options at your own pace and decide later whether listing help fits your plans for the house.
Sources
- ladbs.org/services/check-status/online-building-records
- zimas.lacity.org
- planning.lacity.gov/plans-policies/overlays/foothill-boulevard-corridor
- leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1102
- leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1103.2
- leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1102.19
- leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1102.2
- lafd.org/fire-prevention/brush/brush-clearance-requirements
- lavote.gov/home/recorder/property-document-recording/documentary-transfer-taxes/general-info
- finance.lacity.gov/faq/measure-ula
- portal.assessor.lacounty.gov