Do you have to pull permits on an illegal addition in Oakland?

[Anthony Barbato]

I have come across an off market property that has a finished top level, and the bottom level is a converted finished living space without pulling permits. It used to be a bare concrete garage. Can it be grandfathered in? It was built in 2007. For the new buyer that is flipping this property, should they get permits and have it looked at by the tax assessor so that they confirm the additional square footage? The investors I've talked to want to rehab and flip the property without going through the bureaucracy. What are your thoughts?