Who pays for the sewer lateral in Pacifica, CA

Who is responsible for which part

Pacifica puts the whole lateral - both halves and the connection to the main - on the owner. Section 6-13.602 provides that "It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to perform all required maintenance, repairs and replacement of the sewer lateral", and section 6-13.601 defines the sewer lateral as "the upper and lower sections of sewer pipe that carry sewage and liquid waste from the building or structure served, up to and including the connection to the public sewer".

The property owner

The upper and lower lateral - from the building to the public sewer, the length under the street and the connection included - kept to a standard: section 6-13.602 requires the lateral to be "kept free from roots, grease deposits, and other solids", with "All joints shall be watertight and all pipes shall be sound".

What else is worth knowing

One thing can narrow the owner's work, though not the responsibility: the City can issue a waiver for the lower lateral, and under section 6-13.604 "If the City has issued a waiver for the lower sewer lateral, then work is only required on the upper sewer lateral". The code also ties the lateral to events - a sale, a remodel over $50,000, or a new drain or fixture - at which it must be certified as compliant. These sections govern property within the City's wastewater service area; check the name on your sewer bill if you are not sure the City serves you.

Checked 2026-09-22

What is required

• When you sellInspection

  Pacifica requires a sewer lateral compliance certificate when a property is sold. Section 6-13.603 provides that "Prior to transferring title associated with the sale of any real property that contains any structure with a sewer lateral within the City's wastewater service area, the transferor property owner shall disclose the requirements of this article", and that the seller or buyer "shall obtain a compliance certificate" and give copies to the brokers, the buyer and the escrow holder.

  What to do: If you are selling, ask the City whether the property already holds a valid compliance certificate or exemption. If not, have a contractor assess the lateral early, book the verification test with the City, and if repairs will run past closing, ask about the time extension certificate and the escrow deposit it needs. If you are buying, ask for the certificate before you commit.

  Why this matters▸▾

  The certificate is earned, not filed: under section 6-13.604 the owner repairs or replaces the lateral as needed and then performs verification testing "in the presence of the City's authorized representative", all at the owner's expense. It lasts twenty years after a complete replacement and seven after a repair or a passing test (section 6-13.605), so a recent certificate may already cover the sale. Where the work cannot be finished before closing, a time extension certificate allows up to 180 days with funds held in escrow - and "After close of escrow, the current property owner shall be responsible for all costs associated with the lateral compliance." The same certificate is required for a remodel over $50,000 or adding a drain or fixture.

  In force since 2011-12-28 · Checked 2026-09-22

  Pacifica Municipal Code section 6-13.603, When a compliance certificate is required

  Also quoted:

  • Pacifica Municipal Code section 6-13.604, How to obtain a compliance certificate
  • Pacifica Municipal Code section 6-13.605, Compliance certificate term limits
  • Pacifica Municipal Code section 6-13.606, Time extension certificate

Who governs and serves this area

Jurisdiction

Pacifica (municipality)

Sewer service

Not mapped. No sewer service territory covering this area has been added, so BelowGrid cannot say who serves an individual address here.