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Bay Areas #1 Resource for Sewer Inspection and Replacement

Sewer Lateral Compliance for Point of Sale

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Full-Service Sewer Lateral Compliance Across the Bay Area

Buying a home in the Bay Area? You’ve probably heard your realtor mention sewer lateral compliance. It’s a requirement in many cities before a property can be sold. If you’re wondering what it means and what steps to take, you’re in the right place!

Discount Plumbing Rooter Inc. is your trusted partner for sewer lateral inspections, compliance paperwork, and repairs in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties. We work directly with homeowners, realtors, and contractors to ensure all city requirements are met affordably and efficiently.

What Is a Sewer Lateral & Why Compliance Matters

A sewer lateral is the underground pipe that connects your home’s plumbing to the city’s main sewer line. These aging lines can crack, leak, or clog, which leads cities to require inspections and sometimes repairs, especially when a home is being sold or remodeled.

Local compliance rules are designed to prevent sewage backups, protect infrastructure, and reduce pollution. But navigating the paperwork and inspections can be confusing, and that’s where we come in.

Why We’re the #1 Sewer Compliance Partner in the Bay Area

For over 30 years, Discount Plumbing has been the Bay Area’s go-to plumbing partner, trusted by homeowners, realtors, and lenders alike.

We work with nearly all major lenders and can arrange for the cost of your sewer project to be paid directly out of escrow. Our close relationships with local city inspectors mean we know exactly how to navigate the process, from permits to paperwork to inspections.

We’ll walk you through every step and handle everything behind the scenes:

  • City permit approvals
  • Public Works and Encroachment Coordination
  • Building Inspector scheduling
  • Final paperwork before closing

Most projects take just a few days from start to finish, though timing does vary slightly by city. We begin with a quick video camera inspection of your sewer line, then submit all required paperwork to the city on your behalf.

Now, here’s the honest truth: most older sewer lines don’t pass today’s compliance standards. But don’t worry, replacement is faster and easier than you think. We can usually begin within two weeks and finish in just one day. No delays, no disruption to your sale. Just think of it as one more closing cost and one less thing for you to stress about.

City-by-City Sewer Lateral Requirements

Discount Plumbing makes it easy to understand and meet your city’s sewer requirements. Here’s what to expect in the cities we serve:

Belmont (San Mateo County)

  • CCTV sewer video inspection is recommended, but not required  for sale-of-home  
  • For home improvements costing $200,000 or more, a sewer  lateral inspection is required  
  • For more information, click here 

Burlingame (San Mateo County)

  • Sewer water test is required with a plumber and a city inspector present:
    • For sale-of-home
    • If you are adding two or more plumbing fixture units to your property   
  • City fees and permit are required. 
  • For more information, click here for sale-of-home or click here for home improvements.  

Hillsborough (San Mateo County)

  • CCTV sewer video inspection is required:
    • For sale-of-home
    • If you are renovating a space at least 1,500 square feet in an existing structure
    • If you are building a new structure connecting to a public sewer main on a property with an existing private sewer lateral  
  •  Pressure/Water Test with city inspector is required for  sale-of-home 
  •  Backflow prevention device is required for sale-of-home 
  • City fees and permits are required 
  • For more information, click here

Millbrae (San Mateo County)

  • CCTV sewer video inspection is required:
    • For sale-of-home 
    • For any project requiring a building permit where plumbing 
    •  If fixtures are added to the property
    • If more than 25% of the building area is being remodeled 
  • City fees required 
  •  For more information, click here 

Mountain View (Santa Clara County)

  • Video recording of sewer line
  • City representative must be present during recording

Pacifica (San Mateo County)

  • Video recording of sewer line
  • Drawing of sewer line must be submitted (on DVD)
  • “Moratorium streets” require slurry seal
  • Tree permits and arborist reports may apply

Redwood City (San Mateo County)

  • No point-of-sale inspection required
  • Remodels: Video recording of sewer line

San Bruno (San Mateo County)

  • Video recording of sewer line
  • Smoke & Carbon Monoxide form required

San Carlos (San Mateo County)

  • No inspection required at point of sale
  • Remodels: Video recording of sewer line

San Mateo (San Mateo County)

  • CCTV sewer video inspection is required:
    • For sale-of-home
    • If improvements to the property are greater than or equal to $90,000 
  •  For more information, click here 

South San Francisco (San Mateo County)

  • CCTV sewer video inspection is required for sale-of-home, and may be required for home improvements
  • City fees and permit are required 
  • For more information, click here for sale-of-home, or click here for home improvements.

Why Homeowners & Realtors Choose Discount Plumbing

  • Quick, reliable inspections — often same-day or next-day
  • Written estimates for any city-required repairs
  • Complete paperwork & permitting handled by our team
  • Lowest price guarantee on sewer line replacements
  • Friendly, local service backed by 5-star reviews
  • You handle the real estate. We’ll handle the sewer

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggers a sewer lateral inspection?

In most cities, it’s required when a home is sold. Some cities also require it during large remodels or permit applications

Yes! And it’s a smart move. Getting ahead of sewer lateral compliance avoids last-minute delays during escrow. We’ll provide a written report, explain next steps, and help you stay ahead of any potential issues before they impact your sale.

Yes! We specialize in trenchless technology, minimizing digging and disruption to your yard.

Absolutely. We handle permit submissions, forms, and any city paperwork so you don’t have to.

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