@Jason Gray, @Pamela Holmes, @Ashley Gordon, Account Closed tax sales trump all liens except local government liens such as nuisance, demolition, sewer, lighting, fire dues and sometimes library dues.  

landlords would be exempted from the ban if they provide a reason for excluding pets from their property, such as concerns over health or nuisances, so long as they can provide documentation to a rent board if a tenant pushes back."

The permit timing and nuisances depend on what part of San Diego county you are in, whether city of San Diego or different parts of the county such as La Mesa, for instance, where it took me quite a bit longer to get a permit for an ADU conversion than it would have taken in city of san diego...I'm 3 weeks into construction.Good Luck!

Be a nuisance!  

And just like the other comments....if a client is trying to manage us and or the property, asks for exceptions, or is a constant nuisance, it's time for them to move on.

Photos for work if agreed upon in the contracts signed would be a nuisance but an accomodation that could be provided if desired I'd guess.

Say her ESA is a cow and this is a condo with no yard (just to be extreme) or this dog is a barking nuisance with many complaints, bites some children, and has rabies. 

In CA, you need to pay the entitlement fees, gas tax fees, neighbor nuisance fees, walking fees, gas guzzler fees, street crossing turtle fees, and others I can't think of at the moment FIRST, and THEN you can apply for the permit to pull the actual permit. 

Double check that there are not any nuisance liens (Trash, Tall grass etc.) on it by the city.

This neighbor sounds like a nuisance.