Chimney Inspection for Larkspur Homes

Chimney inspection in Larkspur: what local records mean for your home

Selling a home in the Wildland Urban Interface

Under Larkspur Municipal Code Section 15.40.045, Central Marin Fire requires a resale report before the sale of any residential building or parcel in Larkspur's designated Wildland Urban Interface, effective January 7, 2026 (source: Central Marin Fire Department, Residential Resale Inspections).

This rule applies if you are selling a residential property in the designated Wildland Urban Interface. Central Marin Fire can tell you whether your parcel is in that area and what its resale report covers. A chimney inspection is a separate job from that report and does not replace it. If you need both, schedule the chimney inspection early. That way, any repairs it turns up can be handled before closing instead of holding up the sale.

Older homes make up about a third of the housing stock

The City of Larkspur Housing Element's Housing Needs Analysis states that homes built more than 50 years ago make up 31 percent of Larkspur's housing stock, compared with 38 percent in Marin County (source: City of Larkspur, Housing Element, Section 1 Housing Needs Analysis, 2015–2023 cycle).

If your home is one of them, the chimney may have been through decades of heating seasons, past repairs and possibly a change of fuel. A look from the firebox doesn't show much in those cases. A Level 2 inspection adds a camera run through the flue. It is the better choice for an older chimney, after a change in how the fireplace is used, or when a property changes hands, because it can show cracked liner tiles, gaps between flue sections and blockages that a quick look misses.

Chimney inspection in brief

An inspection covers the whole system. Inside, that means the firebox, damper, smoke chamber and flue liner. Outside, it means the crown, cap, flashing and masonry. A visual check covers what can be reached with normal access. A Level 2 inspection adds a camera through the flue to find cracks, gaps, creosote buildup and obstructions. Gas fireplaces and inserts are included. You'll hear plainly what was found and what, if anything, needs repair. For the full scope and inspection levels, read how chimney inspection works.

When to book an inspection, and when another job fits better

• Before the first fire of the season, or after a fireplace has gone unused for a long time.
• Before selling or buying a home, especially if a Central Marin Fire resale report is also on your list.
• After an earthquake or a hard storm, even if nothing looks wrong from the ground. Cracks can hide inside the flue, and this guide explains what causes chimney damage after an earthquake.
• When smoke spills into the room, the fire draws poorly, or a smell lingers after use.

If you already know the problem, you may not need a full inspection first. A missing or rusted cap that lets in rain or animals can go straight to chimney cap installation for homes in Larkspur. A chimney you use often and simply need cleaned can be swept, and if something turns up during the cleaning, we'll tell you. Cracked or crumbling brick is best inspected before masonry repair, so the repair covers everything that's wrong.

Booking your inspection

Call or request an estimate to set up a visit. Details on levels and what each one includes are on the main chimney inspection service page, and you can browse everything we do in Larkspur if you need other work on your fireplace or vents.