Sewer lateral inspection in Albany: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Albany Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Albany's code says

Albany code What Albany's code adds
Fee or permit	The property owner pays any fees set by the City and any fees set by EBMUD. Applies: Applies to fees set by the City or EBMUD. § 15-1.22 · code text The Property Owner shall be responsible for paying any fees established by the City in addition to any fees established by EBMUD.
When an inspection is required	Before a title transfer, get a Compliance Certificate from EBMUD, unless a Time Extension Certificate is obtained. Applies: Applies to a title transfer of a parcel with any structure. § 15-1.22 · code text Before completing a Title Transfer associated with a parcel containing any Structure, either the transferor or transferee, as negotiated between them, shall obtain a Compliance Certificate from EBMUD, unless a Time Extension Certificate is obtained. Get a Compliance Certificate from EBMUD before the final permit. Applies: Applies to new construction or remodeling when the cost of the permitted work is more than the Regional Ordinance dollar amount. § 15-1.22 · code text Whenever a Property Owner submits an application for any permit or other approval needed for new construction upon a parcel, or for Remodeling of an existing or previously existing Structure, the Property Owner shall obtain a Compliance Certificate from EBMUD before obtaining a final permit. Get a Compliance Certificate from EBMUD before the final permit or approval. Applies: Applies when the owner's water meter size is increased or decreased. § 15-1.22 · code text Whenever a Property Owner applies for any permit or other approval from EBMUD for an increase or decrease in size of the Property Owner's water meter, the Property Owner shall obtain a Compliance Certificate from EBMUD before obtaining a final permit or approval. Owners must get a Compliance Certificate from EBMUD. Applies: Applies to owners in common interest developments. § 15-1.22 · code text Property Owners within Common Interest Developments must obtain Compliance Certificates from EBMUD as described in the Regional Ordinance.
Owner's responsibility	The property owner is responsible for all required maintenance, repair and replacement of the upper sewer lateral. § 15-1.22 · code text It shall be the responsibility of the Property Owner to perform all required maintenance, Repair and Replacement of the Upper Sewer Lateral in accordance with this chapter and the Regional Ordinance. After the title transfer, only the buyer is responsible for getting a Compliance Certificate. Applies: Applies after a title transfer is complete. § 15-1.22 · code text After the Title Transfer is complete, the transferee is solely responsible for obtaining a Compliance Certificate.

Who this affects

BuyersSellersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

Does Albany require a sewer lateral inspection when you sell a home?

Albany's code: Before a title transfer, get a Compliance Certificate from EBMUD, unless a Time Extension Certificate is obtained. (Applies to a title transfer of a parcel with any structure.) (§ 15-1.22); Get a Compliance Certificate from EBMUD before the final permit. (Applies to new construction or remodeling when the cost of the permitted work is more than the Regional Ordinance dollar amount.) (§ 15-1.22).

Sewer lateral inspection in Albany

What Albany's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Albany property

More on buying & selling in Albany