As-Builts

Code Violation Specialist and Reality Capture

Got a Notice for an Unpermitted Structure? We Can Get You Legal — Fast.

If the City of San Diego (or your local jurisdiction) flagged an addition, garage conversion, ADU, or other structure as unpermitted, you have options — you almost never have to tear it down. Most unpermitted work can be brought up to code through a retroactive permit, and California’s AB 2533 (for ADUs and JADUs built before January 1, 2020) and SB 1226 (for other structures built before September 30, 2018) make the legalization process more predictable than most homeowners expect.

The part that usually slows this process down is documentation: the city needs accurate as-built drawings before they’ll even evaluate your case. That’s where we come in.

3D Laser Scanning: The Fastest Way to Document an Existing Structure

Instead of a multi-visit manual measure-and-sketch process, we use lidar laser scanning to capture your entire structure — accurate to within a fraction of a millimeter — in a single site visit. The scan captures every wall, angle, and dimension exactly as it exists today, which means:

• No repeat site visits to “double check a measurement”
• No guesswork that leads to plans getting kicked back by the city
• A digital record you keep, whether the project moves forward or not

From that scan, our team produces the 2D or 3D as-built drawings the city requires to open a code violation case, apply for a retroactive permit, or start the AB 2533 / SB 1226 legalization process.

What Happens After the Scan

We don’t just hand you a file and disappear. Once we have your as-built documentation:

1. Design & engineering — our in-house team brings your existing structure up to current code requirements, addressing anything the city flagged (electrical, structural, egress, etc.).
2. City submittal — we prepare and submit the full package to the city or county on your behalf, so you’re not the one deciphering permit forms and code sections.
3. Inspections & sign-off — we coordinate through final inspection until you have a clean Certificate of Occupancy and the violation is closed.

Who This Is For

• Homeowners who received a notice of violation for an unpermitted addition, garage conversion, or ADU
• Sellers whose escrow or title company flagged an unpermitted structure during a sale
• Buyers who discovered unpermitted work during inspection and need it resolved before or after closing
• Anyone sitting on an unpermitted structure who wants it legal before it becomes a problem

Why Speed Matters Here

Code violation cases come with deadlines, and delays can mean added fines or liens. Because our scanning process replaces weeks of manual drafting with a single accurate capture, we typically get your as-built documentation ready for submittal faster than a traditional measure-and-draw approach — which matters when the city has already put you on the clock.

Beyond Code Violations

As-built scanning isn’t just for legalization work — it’s also used by architects, contractors, and engineers for remodels, additions, historical documentation, and pre-construction planning. If you can see it, we can scan it.

Serving San Diego County

We work throughout San Diego County — including the City of San Diego, Escondido, Chula Vista, San Marcos, Vista, Carlsbad, Oceanside, El Cajon, Poway, and unincorporated communities like Ramona, Fallbrook, and Valley Center.