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Seller disclosure · 5 statesDo sellers have to disclose sex offenders nearby? What 5 states say

In most states the seller's duty is met by pointing the buyer to the public registry, not by researching the neighborhood. California requires every contract for one to four homes to contain the Megan's Law notice pointing to www.meganslaw.ca.gov; once it is delivered, the seller and broker need not give more information about where offenders live (Civ. Code §2079.10a). Virginia's required disclosure statement says the owner makes no representations about registered sex offenders and advises the buyer to check (Code §55.1-703(B)(6)). Nevada, Oregon and North Carolina say a registered offender living nearby is not a material fact (NRS 40.770(2), ORS 93.275(1)(d), G.S. 39-50) – and North Carolina adds that no seller may knowingly make a false statement about it.

State by state

  1. California (Civ. §2079.10a)

    Megan's Law notice in every 1–4 unit sale contract and single-family lease; after delivery no further information on proximity is required.

  2. Virginia (§55.1-703(B)(6))

    The Real Estate Board statement: no representations about registered offenders; the buyer should do its own due diligence before settlement.

  3. Nevada (NRS 40.770(2))

    An offender living or expected to live in the community is not material; no duty to disclose.

  4. Oregon (ORS 93.275(1)(d))

    The fact or suspicion that a registered sex offender lives in the area is not material.

  5. North Carolina (G.S. 39-50)

    Not material that a registered offender occupies, occupied or lives near the property – but no knowingly false statement.

What a buyer can do

  • Search the state registry for the address before the inspection or due diligence period ends.
  • Ask questions in writing; a seller or agent may not answer falsely.
  • In California, look for the Megan's Law notice in the purchase contract.

What the TC keeps in the file

  • California: the contract page with the Megan's Law notice.
  • Virginia: the signed Real Estate Board disclosure statement.
  • Any written buyer question about offenders and the answer given.

Questions buyers ask

Does a seller have to disclose a sex offender next door?

Usually not beyond the registry notice: California requires the Megan's Law notice, and Nevada, Oregon and North Carolina say it is not a material fact.

What is the Megan's Law disclosure in California?

A notice in the purchase contract that registered sex offender information is available at www.meganslaw.ca.gov (Civ. Code §2079.10a).

Can a seller lie about sex offenders nearby?

No. North Carolina expressly bars knowingly false statements, and these statutes cover not volunteering the fact – not answering falsely.

Related guides

Keep the signed disclosures on the deal and log buyer questions as notes in ClosingCode, with a task to check the registry before the inspection period ends.

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Sources: Cal. Civ. Code §2079.10a; Code of Virginia §55.1-703; NRS 40.770; ORS 93.275; N.C.G.S. 39-50 (official statute sites, read October 25, 2026).

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage.