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Sewer lateral inspection in Santa Barbara

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

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

What Santa Barbara's code says

Santa Barbara code What Santa Barbara's code adds
Deadline to comply
  • By the deadline set in the Notice to Repair/Replace.
    Applies: After the Public Works Director finds the inspection report shows deficiencies.
    § 14.46.060 · code text
    The Notice to Repair/Replace shall specifically identify the deficiencies to be corrected and shall establish a deadline within which the Owner shall complete the required corrective actions.
Fee or permit
  • A building permit, with final inspection and approval by the City Building Official, when the repair needs a permit.
    Applies: Lateral repairs after a Notice to Repair or Replace.
    § 14.46.060 · code text
    if a building permit is required for the repairs, the Owner shall obtain a final permit inspection and approval of the City Building Official.
When an inspection is required
  • After an overflow or malfunction, a failed, failing or poorly maintained lateral, or another public health or safety threat.
    Applies: Any property, when the Public Works Director orders it.
    § 14.46.040 · code text
    An Owner shall have the Building Sewer Lateral of his or her real property inspected in accordance with the requirements of this chapter (as directed and within the time period indicated by the Public Works Director) upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
  • Before a building permit for a home addition or new work over 400 square feet of habitable space.
    Applies: Residential properties; home additions.
    § 14.46.040 · code text
    Prior to the issuance of a City building permit for a residential building addition or new improvements on the real property in excess of 400 square feet of habitable space as that phrase is defined in the California Building Code as adopted and amended by the City;
  • Before a building permit for 2 or more new plumbing fixtures connected to the sewer lateral.
    Applies: Residential properties; new plumbing fixtures.
    § 14.46.040 · code text
    Prior to the issuance of a City building permit for two or more new plumbing fixtures attached to the Building Sewer Lateral upon the residential Property.
  • Once every 15 years, on a Public Works Director schedule starting January 1, 2007.
    Applies: Commercial properties, common interest developments and multi-unit rental developments.
    § 14.46.040 · code text
    the owner of commercial property, a common interest development, or a multi-unit rental development shall have the building sewer lateral or laterals serving the owner's property inspected in accordance with the requirements of this chapter once every 15 years according to a schedule established by the Public Works Director commencing as of January 1, 2007.
  • No inspection is needed for an addition or new fixtures if the lateral was installed or replaced within 20 years.
    Applies: Residential property; the 20 years count back from the building permit application.
    § 14.46.040 · code text
    An inspection is not required under subsection B if the building sewer lateral serving the premises has been originally installed or replaced within 20 years of the date of the application for building permit.
  • No inspection for an addition or new fixtures if a remedial inspection found it in good repair within 3 years.
    Applies: Residential property.
    § 14.46.040 · code text
    An inspection is not required under subsection B of this section if a remedial inspection showing the building sewer lateral to be in good repair was conducted in accordance with this chapter within the three years prior to the date the inspection would otherwise be required.
Owner's responsibility
  • Owner repairs the lateral to the Public Works Director's satisfaction; if a building permit is needed, final inspection and approval.
    Applies: After the owner receives a Notice to Repair or Replace.
    § 14.46.060 · code text
    The Owner shall repair his or her Building Sewer Lateral to the satisfaction of the Public Works Director, and, if a building permit is required for the repairs, the Owner shall obtain a final permit inspection and approval of the City Building Official.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

Does Santa Barbara require a sewer lateral inspection when you sell a home?

Santa Barbara's code: After an overflow or malfunction, a failed, failing or poorly maintained lateral, or another public health or safety threat. (Any property, when the Public Works Director orders it.) (§ 14.46.040); By the deadline set in the Notice to Repair/Replace. (After the Public Works Director finds the inspection report shows deficiencies.) (§ 14.46.060).

General information, not legal advice.

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