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Pacifica · Buying & selling

Sewer lateral inspection in Pacifica

Pacifica's own rules on sewer lateral inspection, with the code text for every value.

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

What Pacifica's code says

Pacifica code What Pacifica's code adds
How long a certificate lasts
  • Valid for 20 years from the date issued.
    Applies: Applies to a compliance certificate earned by fully replacing the sewer lateral.
    § 6-13.605 · code text
    When the compliance certificate is obtained as a result of complete replacement of the sewer lateral, the compliance certificate shall be valid for twenty (20) years from the date of issuance.
  • Valid for 7 years from the date issued.
    Applies: Applies to a compliance certificate earned without full replacement, such as after repairs or testing only.
    § 6-13.605 · code text
    When the compliance certificate is obtained without complete replacement, e.g., as a result of repair work or testing without repair, the compliance certificate shall be valid for seven (7) years from the date of issuance.
Deadline to comply
  • Within 180 days of the time extension certificate.
    Applies: Applies when a compliance certificate cannot be obtained before the title transfers.
    § 6-13.606 · code text
    If the work is not completed within one hundred eighty (180) days of issuance of the time extension certificate, or does not meet the conditions required by this article, the escrow funds may be forfeited
Fee or permit
  • $5,000 is placed in escrow.
    Applies: Applies when a time extension certificate is issued.
    § 6-13.606 · code text
    Upon issuance of the time extension certificate, funds in the amount of Five Thousand and no/100 ($5,000.00) Dollars are to be posted into escrow.
  • More than $5,000 in escrow may be required, based on contractor estimates to replace the whole lateral.
    Applies: Applies to sewer laterals longer than 50 feet.
    § 6-13.606 · code text
    However, if the sewer lateral is longer than fifty (50′) feet, the Director may require funds in excess of Five Thousand and no/100 ($5,000.00) Dollars to be deposited in escrow.
When an inspection is required
  • A compliance certificate is needed before final approval of work whose combined estimated cost exceeds $50,000.
    Applies: Counts the cost of all work at the property in the previous 12 months.
    § 6-13.603 · code text
    This paragraph shall apply where the cost of the proposed work, in combination with the cost of any other construction, remodeling, modification, or alteration at the property within the previous twelve (12) months, is estimated to exceed Fifty Thousand and no/100ths ($50,000.00) Dollars.
  • A compliance certificate is needed before final approval to add drains or plumbing fixtures.
    Applies: Applies when adding one or more drains or plumbing fixtures.
    § 6-13.603 · code text
    Whenever a property owner applies for any permit or other approval needed to add one or more drains or plumbing fixtures to any structure with a sewer lateral within the City's wastewater service area, the property owner shall obtain a compliance certificate pursuant to Section 6-13.604 prior to obtaining a final permit or approval
  • A compliance certificate is needed before final approval to resize a water meter or add one.
    Applies: Applies to changes in water service.
    § 6-13.603 · code text
    Whenever a property owner within the City's service area applies for any permit or other approval from the City or local water agency for an increase or decrease in size of the owner's water meter, or for an additional water meter, the property owner shall obtain a compliance certificate
  • Check compliance and make repairs within 10 years of December 28, 2016; re-certify every 20 years after.
    Applies: Applies to individually owned units in multi-unit buildings on a single or shared lateral.
    § 6-13.603 · code text
    Within ten (10) years of the effective date of this chapter (December 28, 2016), the homeowners' association or a responsible party for this type of multi-unit structure shall determine if the sewer lateral(s) is (are) in compliance
  • No compliance certificate needed; an exemption certificate may be requested instead.
    Applies: Applies if a dated City permit shows the whole lateral was replaced within 10 years of December 28, 2016.
    § 6-13.603 · code text
    A property with a dated approved building/sewer permit from the City indicating that the sewer lateral was replaced in total within ten (10) years of the effective date of this chapter (December 28, 2016) may submit the information to the District along with a request for an exemption certificate.
Owner's responsibility
  • The owner must do all repair and replacement work to bring the lateral into compliance, at the owner's cost.
    Applies: Applies when a required certificate is not held and the lateral is not compliant.
    § 6-13.604 · code text
    If the sewer lateral is not in compliance, the property owner shall perform any and all repair and replacement work needed to bring the sewer lateral into compliance.
  • Owners pay the full cost of lateral compliance with City rules.
    Applies: Applies with a time extension certificate and escrow for repairs or replacement.
    § 6-13.606 · code text
    Property owners are responsible for the full cost of lateral compliance with City requirements, which may exceed the deposit amount.
  • The current owner pays all lateral compliance costs after escrow closes.
    Applies: Applies after close of escrow with a time extension certificate.
    § 6-13.606 · code text
    After close of escrow, the current property owner shall be responsible for all costs associated with the lateral compliance.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

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

Pacifica's code: A compliance certificate is needed before final approval of work whose combined estimated cost exceeds $50,000. (Counts the cost of all work at the property in the previous 12 months.) (§ 6-13.603); Valid for 20 years from the date issued. (Applies to a compliance certificate earned by fully replacing the sewer lateral.) (§ 6-13.605).

General information, not legal advice.

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