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Sewer Lateral Compliance

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 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)

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

Burlingame (San Mateo County)

  • Sewer pressure test required
  • Cleanout installation (if not present)
  • No video recording required

Hillsborough (San Mateo County)

  • Sewer pressure test
  • Video recording of sewer line

Millbrae (San Mateo County)

  • Video recording of sewer line
  • Smoke & Carbon Monoxide form (signed by homeowner or realtor)

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 Mateo (San Mateo County)
  • Live sewer line inspection (video not accepted)

San Bruno (San Mateo County)

  • Live sewer line inspection (no video) & paperwork submission

South San Francisco (San Mateo County)

  • Video recording of sewer line

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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