Your agent should be able to help pull title and give you some more background on the property, but only for major changes.If you don’t have an agent, PM me and I can help.https://www.smgov.net/Departments/PCD/Permits/Records-Request/

Look on your listing agreement or look his name up on the Department of Real Estate website (DRE) 

While Bakersfield has shown a steady increase in Pop growth over the last 5 years (approx 1% according to the Department of Finance), it is mainly due to the fact that they have more affordable housing than most parts of CA and also have a large amount of land available.

Send an email or call them, go to attom data department.

I would *highly* recommend, in Union City, going to the building department or otherwise doing an OPRA request (at the city clerk's office) to ensure that the city sees the building as a 3 family, notwithstanding the green card issue (which is a state issue). 

When I called the water department I found out that they did not have running water since sept 30.

@Julie Hill with hoarder tenants I would call for a fire department check for fire safety.

Title insurance is set by the state insurance department (about 1.3% of the policy, both buyer's and lender's policies). 

My bank's Business Services Department offers ACH / auto-debit: check with yours. 

The question is a big vague without knowing the property but I am assuming you are going after ADU and want to add additional parking.Definitely going to the local planning department and LADBS office to see how the process is and what you need to look out for.