Sewer lateral rules differ between neighbouring California cities
55 California cities under 42 different regimes, several of them sharing a border. No single authority can tell you this, because each one only knows about itself.
What the comparison shows
- 30 of the 47 cities that require something regulate their own sewer laterals. The rest defer to a wider body (Carmel Area Wastewater District, East Bay Regional Private Sewer Lateral Program, Ojai Valley Sanitary District and 6 others), so the paperwork differs on either side of a city line.
- Arcata, Avalon, Berkeley, Burlingame, Colfax, Eureka, Grass Valley, Hercules, Hillsborough, Imperial Beach, Mill Valley, Millbrae, Monterey, Morgan Hill, Nevada City, Pacific Grove, Pacifica, Pinole, Placerville, Richmond, San Bruno, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, San Rafael, Santa Cruz, South San Francisco, Ventura, Watsonville, Whittier and Willits run their own programmes, so a certificate issued under a neighbouring city's scheme is not the same document.
- In 8 of the 55 cities with a recorded rule on sale, the answer is that nothing is required when a property is sold: Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Leandro and Walnut Creek. Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, Rancho Palos Verdes and San Leandro state so directly.
- These requirements did not arrive together: Grass Valley's dates from 2008 and Vallejo's from 2025. A property sold before the relevant date will not have been subject to it.
- Who owns the pipe is not settled either. Alameda, Albany, American Canyon and 61 others take part of the lower lateral - the run between the property line and the main, which is the half needing the road opened - as its owner, its maintainer or for a narrower duty such as clearing it. Alhambra, Alturas, Anaheim and 237 others state the owner is responsible for the whole length instead. None of them publishes that the others disagree, and a quote that crosses the property line means something different on each side of it.
City by city
What it takes to open the ground
Being told an inspection is required is not the same as knowing what the repair involves. These are the 237 permits BelowGrid has read in full, one row each rather than one per city, because a single trench can need two from two different bodies.
- 38 different notice periods apply to the same trench: 10 days by written application before work starts, 24 hours before any inspection, 24 hours before beginning the work, 24 hours before each inspection, 24 hours before sewer construction begins, 24 hours before the building sewer is ready for inspection excluding Saturdays Sundays and holidays, 24 hours before the time set for inspection, 24 hours before work starts, 24 hours excluding weekends and holidays, at least 24 hours, at least 24 hours before an inspection, at least 24 hours before an inspection and by noon one business day before the work, at least 24 hours before any inspection to the county engineer, at least 24 hours before work starts to the Public Works Inspector, at least 48 hours, at least 48 hours before inspection, at least 48 working hours before the work is to be inspected to the City Engineer, at least eight working hours before excavation starts, at least two full business days before work starts, at least two working days before the work starts, before the work commences, immediately before any part of the work starts, in writing as soon as the work is ready for inspection, in writing before the District schedules the work, in writing to the public works director immediately after the work is ready for inspection, not less than 24 hours in writing before the work is to be inspected, not less than 24 hours in writing before the work is to be inspected with weekends and holidays excluded, not less than 48 hours before the work is to be inspected excluding weekends and holidays, not less than 48 hours before work begins, notify the City Engineer of the time of beginning work before any excavation, one working day, plans of the work approved by the General Manager before work begins except in an emergency, seven business days where the permit carries that condition, twenty-four business hours to the Public Works Department, twenty-four hours before work commences, two business days, within twenty-four hours before work begins and written notice to the Director of Public Works at least 24 hours (weekends and holidays excluded) before the work is ready for inspection. Satisfying one authority does not satisfy another, and none of these pages mentions any of the others. For a further 190, BelowGrid has recorded no notice period. Concord, Covina, Dana Point, Dinuba, Fremont, Fresno, Larkspur, Oroville, Palm Springs, San Ramon and Danville also want telling when the work is finished.
- BelowGrid has recorded where their own ground starts for 132 of the 237 authorities here, and they do not all measure it the same way (see the table). For the others, ask the authority where its ground begins before assuming a trench is private.
- Artesia, Campbell, Carson, Covina, Cupertino, Dana Point, Dublin, Hermosa Beach, Lawndale, Newark, Orange, Placentia, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Seaside, San Francisco and Moraga can refuse the work outright rather than price it: a street moratorium closes a recently resurfaced road to trenching, which turns on when the ROAD was last paved rather than on anything about the property.
- Camarillo Sanitary District, Cambria Community Services District, Carpinteria Sanitary District, Alturas, Anaheim, Buellton, Coronado, Culver City, Dinuba, Downey, El Segundo, Encinitas, Half Moon Bay, Hermosa Beach, Huntington Beach, Irwindale, La Habra, La Palma, Lawndale, Lomita, Long Beach, Madera, Newark, Palos Verdes Estates, Pleasanton, Redondo Beach, San Diego, San Dimas, San Jacinto, Santa Maria, Simi Valley, Taft, Walnut Creek, Wasco, Yreka, Costa Mesa, East Valley Water District, Goleta Sanitary District, San Francisco, Seaside County Sanitation District, Danville, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos and Ross regulate WHO may do the work rather than only how: a contractor from the next town may have to register locally before a permit can be issued.
- BelowGrid has recorded 35 authorities here that tell residents another agency's permit is also needed: Camarillo Sanitary District, Cambria Community Services District, Buellton, Carson, Concord, Cupertino, Del Rey Oaks, Downey, Elk Grove, Fortuna, Garden Grove, Irvine, Larkspur, Moreno Valley, Norwalk, Orinda, Palm Springs, Palos Verdes Estates, Placentia, San Jacinto, San Ramon, Seaside, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Ukiah, Santa Clarita, East Valley Water District, Fort Bragg, Los Angeles County Sewer Maintenance Districts (unincorporated areas), Mission Springs Water District, Los Gatos, Ross, Union Sanitary District, Union Sanitary District and Union Sanitary District. Where none is recorded, ask whether the street or the main belongs to a different agency before digging.
| Who issues it | What it covers | Notice before work | Where public ground starts | Money held |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camarillo Sanitary District | uncovering, connecting to, opening into, using, altering or disturbing a public sewer, any work on a plumbing or drainage system, and constructing a building sewer or lateral sewer | at least two working days before the work starts | at the property line, where lateral sewers are terminated | connection permit fees paid by each connector, among them an additional residential inspection fee for the connection of the line from the main sewer to the property line |
| Cambria Community Services District | any maintenance or repair of a building sewer that uncovers or removes the pipe, and any connection to or alteration of a public sewer | plans of the work approved by the General Manager before work begins except in an emergency | at the property line | a bond of at least $3,000 posted by a contractor installing a lateral sewer |
| Carpinteria Sanitary District | all sewer construction, modification, repair and rehabilitation, including the building sewer on private property | at least 24 hours before sewer construction begins | — | — |
| Central Contra Costa Sanitary District | new construction, new connections, and all repairs or replacements of a side sewer | — | at the property line cleanout the District's own maintenance answer turns on | — |
| Central Contra Costa Sanitary District | any sewer work outside the building, on or off property | at least 24 hours | — | — |
| City of Alhambra, Director of Public Works | any excavation or fill in, over or under the surface of a public street | — | at the street, where the house connection sewer runs on to the public sewer - though the owner keeps the whole run | — |
| City of Alturas - a connection application, fee and permit | connecting a property to the City's sanitary sewer | at least 48 hours | — | — |
| City of American Canyon - a permit for installing, altering or repairing any side sewer or building lateral | installing, altering or repairing the side sewer, on the lot or in the street | — | at the clean-out in the public right-of-way or easement, or the property line where there is none | — |
| City of Anaheim, the Inspector | constructing or altering a sewer in a public street, connecting a house sewer to a connecting sewer, and constructing or altering a private sewer on private property | — | — | — |
| City of Angels - an encroachment permit | private sewer maintenance or repair work in public rights-of-way or easements | — | — | — |
| City of Arcadia City Engineer - a sewer permit for constructing or altering a house connection sewer, with an insurance certificate for work in a street | any construction, alteration or use of a house connection sewer, on the lot or in the street | — | at the private property line, where the house connection sewer continues under the street to the main - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| City of Arroyo Grande - approval issued as an encroachment permit, building permit or other applicable permit | connecting to, constructing, maintaining or altering a building sewer, which runs to the City's main including the wye or saddle | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way, where the owner's building sewer becomes the lateral sewer | — |
| City of Artesia City Engineer | any excavation in or under the surface of a public street, alley, sidewalk or other public place, for any purpose | — | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | — |
| City of Arvin, under the authority of the city manager | connecting any lot to the City's sewer system | — | — | — |
| City of Atascadero - a building permit for the building sewer and an encroachment permit from the City for work in the right-of-way | constructing, altering or replacing any part of a building sewer, and any connection to a lateral or to the public main | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way or sewer easement, where the owner's building sewer becomes the lateral | — |
| City of Bakersfield, the city engineer approving and the city issuing the sewer permit | any person desiring to connect to a sewer of the city, with direct attachment of a sewer six inches or smaller permitted only after the permit is obtained and the fees paid | — | — | no amount is published; all required fees must be paid before attachment, and where the city does the work itself between the improved right-of-way and the main the charge is on a time and materials basis rather than a quoted figure |
| City of Barstow - building department, with a separate street excavation permit from the engineering services division | uncovering, connecting to, opening into, using, altering or disturbing any public sewer or its appurtenances; and, under section 13.16.070, any excavation for a building lateral in a public street or easement | — | — | — |
| City of Beaumont - inspection and approval before a lateral or connection is covered | building a service lateral, and connecting a building sewer to a lateral or a lateral to the main sewer | at least 48 hours before inspection | — | — |
| City of Benicia - a written permit to construct a building sewer or lateral sewer or connect to a public sewer | constructing or replacing a building sewer or lateral sewer, and any connection with a public sewer | — | at the property line, where the building sewer ends and the lateral sewer runs under the street to the main | — |
| City of Beverly Hills Director of Public Works - a permit to connect to, tap or maintain a connection to a public sewer | connecting to, tapping or reworking a connection to the public sewer, including replacing a private sewer lateral | — | at the property line, where the private sewer lateral runs under the street to the main - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| City of Big Bear Lake sanitation department - a written permit to connect to the public sewer | making a connection to any public sewer | — | — | — |
| City of Brentwood - Community Development Department | constructing a building sewer or lateral sewer, connecting to or disturbing any public sewer, and any work on any lateral or building sewer | — | — | — |
| City of Buellton | any work on any sewer or drainage system, and uncovering, connecting to or altering any public sewer; no sewer may be covered until inspected and passed | not less than 24 hours in writing before the work is to be inspected | — | a permit fee set by resolution of the city council, with no figure in the code |
| City of Buena Park, through the city engineer | breaking the surface of or excavating any highway, and installing or maintaining any pipe under one | — | at the street right-of-way line, where the house sewer meets the connecting sewer - though the owner keeps both | — |
| City of California City - 48 hours' notice before excavation, and the City's inspection before backfill | excavating for a sewer lateral and attaching it to the connection | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way, where the owner's lateral continues to the City's sewer | — |
| City of Campbell | all work in the public right-of-way, including a sanitary district's own trenching | — | — | a refundable Faithful Performance Deposit, with the simplified residential permit's fee published at $290.70 |
| City of Carlsbad - the Transportation Department for the right-of-way, the Utilities Director for the sewer itself | excavating or opening any public place, and entering, uncovering or tampering with any portion of the public sewer | — | at the public place - though the owner's lateral runs on to the main, and sits in the right-of-way under a revocable licence | — |
| City of Carson, through the Director of Public Works | excavating a roadway, which is where this city's code puts the lateral | — | at the property line, which is where the adopted code's house lateral begins | — |
| City of Chico | an initial connection to the sewer system, and increasing the number of dwelling units on premises already connected | — | — | an owner required to install a lateral in a public street is entitled to be reimbursed part of what it cost them |
| City of Chowchilla - the city administrator or the administrator's designee | any connection with a public sewer of the City, which the City itself has the exclusive right to make, along with laying laterals from the public sewer | — | — | — |
| City of Claremont engineering department, with the street superintendent for the street excavation permit | any excavation in public property, installing a sewer in it or connecting to a public sewer, and any excavation in a public street, alley or sidewalk to install, repair or remove a pipe | — | at the property line | a special deposit for pavement or sidewalk replacement as the City Engineer estimates, at least one dollar and fifty cents per square foot of excavation or fifty dollars, whichever is greater |
| City of Cloverdale - an encroachment permit | any excavation needed to maintain a lateral, and laying any pipe in a street, public right-of-way or easement | — | — | — |
| City of Clovis, the City Engineer | connecting any lot to a public sewer or house branch sewer, with the house branch itself supplied and constructed by City forces | — | — | front footage, oversize and house branch charges, all payable before the permit issues and all set in the Master Development Fee Schedule rather than in the code |
| City of Coachella - a written sewer connection permit, and excavation or encroachment permits for work in the street | connecting to the City sewer and constructing a house connection sewer from the main to the property | — | at the property line, where the City-maintained house connection runs to the main | — |
| City of Colton - a permit to connect private pipe to the public sewer | connecting any pipe on private property with any pipe connected to the public sewer | — | — | — |
| City of Concord | connecting any premises to the sewer system, including reusing an existing unused lateral, which must meet city standards first | — | — | the applicable charges, payable before the permit issues |
| City of Corcoran - an encroachment permit under chapter 7-5, applied for with the Building Inspector, and street cut approval | any encroachment or excavation in a public way, including repairs and connections to existing sewers that need excavation in the street | immediately before any part of the work starts | — | a bond or cash deposit in a sum the Building Inspector or City Engineer sets as the probable cost to the City of finishing the work and repairing damage - a bond released on application one year after completion, a cash deposit's balance on completion less an amount held for a year - or for work of $1,000 or less an agreement without security at the Director of Public Works' discretion |
| City of Corning - the director's permit | uncovering, connecting to, opening into, altering or disturbing any public sewer or appurtenance | — | at the edge of the public street, alley or right-of-way | — |
| City of Corona, through the City Engineer | laying, reconstructing or repairing a sewer line in the right-of-way, and excavating or disturbing a street | — | at the right-of-way, where a sewer the city has accepted becomes the city's | — |
| City of Coronado City Engineer, through the Public Services and Engineering Department | all work in the public right-of-way or on public property, a sewer connection included | 24 hours excluding weekends and holidays | at the edge of the public right-of-way, where the City's code has the owner's lateral run to the collector main | a performance bond or cash deposit of 100 percent of the estimated cost of the work, with permit fees set by council resolution and doubled for work begun without a permit |
| City of Covina director of public works | any excavation or encroachment in any highway, which includes the entire width of the public right-of-way | — | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | a cash deposit or other adequate security in an amount the director sets, with no figure in the code |
| City of Culver City Director of Public Works | making, constructing, altering or repairing a house connection sewer - the code's other name for the sewer lateral - but not clearing a stoppage unless pipe is replaced or the street, sidewalk or a sewer easement is dug up | — | at the property line, where the house connection sewer enters the street or other public place | at least $500 in cash held for six months after the depositor's last permit or a surety bond of the same amount for a permit that opens a public street or easement |
| City of Cupertino City Engineer | going upon, over or under any public right-of-way, including excavation, whichever body collects the sewage | at least two full business days before work starts | at the street right-of-way, where Cupertino Sanitary District's code starts the lower lateral | security the City Engineer may require to cover restoring the right-of-way, with fees set by council resolution |
| City of Daly City | breaking up, cutting, excavating, disturbing or undermining any public street, sidewalk, curb, right-of-way or public utility area or easement | — | — | two payments and neither figure is published: a deposit with the city, and separately a nonrefundable fee to be established by the city council by resolution |
| City of Dana Point Director of Public Works and Engineering Services | breaking the surface of any highway or installing a pipe in or under one, which is where the lateral runs to the main | not less than 48 hours before work begins | at the edge of the City right-of-way, where the lateral enters the street on its way to the main | — |
| City of Del Mar - a permit from the Department | connecting private pipe to pipe in the street, and constructing any sewer in the street or the City | — | at the private property line, where the sewer connection or lateral begins | — |
| City of Del Rey Oaks building inspector | any excavation in or under the surface of a street, alley, sidewalk, public way or public place in the city | — | at the edge of the street or other public way, where the lateral runs on to the main | a cash deposit to cover restoring the surface, and the cost of resurfacing as the city council sets by resolution |
| City of Delano engineer or inspector - a written permit for any connection with, opening into or alteration of the public sewer | work that uncovers, connects with, opens into, alters or disturbs the public sewer, and any tap on a main line sewer | — | at the private property line, where the building sewer continues under the street to the main - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| City of Diamond Bar, the city engineer - a sewer construction permit | constructing or altering a house lateral, public sewer or mainline sewer, apart from persons the chapter excepts | — | — | — |
| City of Dinuba director of public works, with the encroachment permit from the City's director under chapter 11.08 | any connection with a public sewer, building or altering one in the City right-of-way or easement, replacing any part of a building sewer, and any trench or sewer laid in a public street, alley or sidewalk | within twenty-four hours before work begins | at the property line | a faithful performance or license bond in a sum the director sets before the street permit issues |
| City of Downey, through the City Engineer | constructing, using or altering a public sewer, main line sewer or house lateral | — | at the property line, which is where this code's house lateral begins | — |
| City of Dublin | any excavation in a street, and placing a pipe under one | at least 24 hours | — | a cash deposit or surety bond fixed by the City Engineer as sufficient to restore the street, with no figure published |
| City of Dunsmuir - a permit for sewer work | constructing, altering or repairing a public sewer, building sewer, lateral or other sewage works | — | — | — |
| City of El Centro public works department - a permit to connect any property with a city sewer | connecting a property with the city sewer, including a replacement that reconnects to it | — | at the property line cleanout, where the public right-of-way begins | — |
| City of El Segundo Street Superintendent for the right of way permit, with the sewer connection permit from the Public Works Director | any work or encroachment in the public right of way, which is where the City's code puts the house connection sewer | — | at the edge of the street or public right of way, where the City's code begins the house connection sewer | a cash deposit covering the cost of inspection with any unused part refunded and a bond approved by the Street Superintendent |
| City of Elk Grove, through the Public Works Director | laying or maintaining a pipe in a street or right-of-way, and any excavation or cut in one | — | at the cleanout, beyond which the District owns and maintains the lower lateral | a performance guarantee under the construction in streets chapter, with no figure in the code |
| City of Emeryville | any repair, replacement or abandonment of a private lateral, and any verification test | — | — | — |
| City of Encinitas Director of Public Works | sewer lateral work in the public right-of-way and any other work covered by the right-of-way construction chapter | — | at the private property line, where the City's code starts the sewer lateral | security of at least 150% of the approved estimate of the work, as a cash deposit, a letter of credit, a lien on the property or another form the Director accepts |
| City of Escalon - a sanitary sewage permit from the building inspector, with an encroachment permit for work at the main | making, constructing, using or altering any sewer connection, the line carrying waste from the premises to a sewer main or sewer lateral | — | — | — |
| City of Escondido, the Building Division for the repair permit and Field Engineering for the encroachment permit | any sewer lateral repair, including repairs on private property, with an additional encroachment permit where the work digs in a street or other public right-of-way | — | — | no amounts are published on the pages read |
| City of Fillmore - a written permit before constructing a building sewer, with the connection inspected | constructing a building sewer and connecting it to the public sewer | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way, where the owner's lateral continues to the public sewer | — |
| City of Fontana | uncovering, altering or disturbing any portion of the sewer system, which includes the City's own half and not only the owner's | — | — | a fee set by resolution, with no figure in the code |
| City of Fortuna | any work on any lateral or building sewer, and uncovering, connecting to or altering any public sewer; no sewer may be covered until inspected and passed | not less than 24 hours in writing before the work is to be inspected with weekends and holidays excluded | — | fees set by resolution with no figure in the code, and for work in the right-of-way a completion and maintenance bond for one year if the city engineer requires one, as a security bond, letter of credit or cash in a form the city engineer accepts |
| City of Fountain Valley - an encroachment permit for the street, and the city engineer's sewer connection permit for connection work | excavations in city streets and other construction closing part of the right-of-way, and sewer connection work | — | at the private property line, where the lateral continues under the street to the main - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| City of Fremont, with Union Sanitary District beyond two feet | the first two feet from the building, and separately anything under the sidewalk or street | one working day | two feet from the building's footprint decides which authority permits the work | a bond or certificate of deposit as security |
| City of Fresno, across Public Works Engineering, Planning & Development and Utilities Billing & Collection | connecting a property to the City's sanitary sewer system, including abandoning an existing septic tank or cesspool | — | — | — |
| City of Fullerton, through the City Engineer | laying pipes in a street and repairing or altering a street or its appurtenances, and constructing or reconstructing a lateral sewer service in the right-of-way | twenty-four hours before work commences | at the right-of-way, where the City may at its own discretion take on the lateral's upkeep | a cash bond at the City Engineer's discretion, or a surety bond above five thousand dollars, held until final field inspection |
| City of Galt - a written permit, which may take the form of an encroachment permit, for any connection with or opening into the public sewer | any connection with or opening into the public sewer, by licensed plumbers or contractors | — | at the property line, where the City repairs damaged lateral in the right-of-way | — |
| City of Garden Grove | excavating a street or sidewalk for the installation, repair or removal of a pipe | — | at the street or sidewalk the excavation chapter governs, with the owner's lateral running to the public sewer | — |
| City of Gardena, Engineering Division | work on house laterals under a sewer permit, and excavation in the street under a separate encroachment permit from the same division | — | — | — |
| City of Glendale, the director of public works | connecting private property to any public sewer system of the city, excepting the systems of Los Angeles and Burbank that flow into it | — | — | an excavation fee for work in public streets, plus a connection fee that is fifty dollars and change where the main predates 1 January 1942 and a proportionate share of the main's construction cost where it does not |
| City of Gonzales - a building sewer permit | installing a building sewer and connecting it to the public sewer | — | — | — |
| City of Grand Terrace, Chief Building Official | making or attempting any connection with the City's main sewer lines, and connecting to or using an old sewer line | — | at the property line | the established connection fee, paid before the permit issues |
| City of Grass Valley - building department, on a form approved by the public works director or city engineer | any work on a building sewer, service sewer or connection | — | — | — |
| City of Gridley - a permit before a building sewer is installed, altered or repaired, with the connection supervised | installing, altering or repairing a building sewer, and connecting to or opening into a public sewer | — | at the edge of the public street or alley | — |
| City of Grover Beach Department of Public Works | using the public right-of-way to repair a sewer lateral, and any work on a sewer lateral, sewer main or sewer appurtenance in the right-of-way | — | at the property line, where the code ends the building sewer and the lateral in the right-of-way or easement begins | a bond in an amount the Superintendent of Public Works sets as enough to guarantee the street is restored, and a fee set by resolution |
| City of Half Moon Bay city engineer | any excavation, cut or fill in or under a street or other public place, which is where the lateral sewer runs to the main | — | at the edge of the public street, where the City's code starts the lateral sewer | ten dollars per lineal foot of trench, cut or opening, at least one hundred dollars, returned ninety days after the city engineer accepts the replaced pavement or sidewalk |
| City of Hanford public works director - an encroachment permit for any excavation in a city street or right-of-way, with the excavation bond | any excavation in a public street, alley, sidewalk or right-of-way, including repairs to a sewer lateral there | — | at the private property line, where the lateral continues under the street to the main - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| City of Hawaiian Gardens City Engineer for the sewer construction permit, with the highway permit from the Community Development Director | constructing or altering a house lateral, and any excavation in a highway | at least 24 hours before an inspection | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | for the highway permit a cash deposit or other security in an amount the Community Development Director sets, with no figure in the code |
| City of Hawthorne city engineer, who is the director of public works or a designated representative | any activity or work area that occupies or impacts the public right-of-way, which is where the lateral meets the main | — | at the private property line, where the City's code defines the lateral as running from the main | a restoration bond of five thousand dollars per location or per one hundred lineal feet up to one hundred thousand dollars which the city engineer may waive for minor improvements |
| City of Hermosa Beach | all work in the right-of-way, with sewer lateral connection a named utility permit type | — | — | — |
| City of Hermosa Beach, superintendent of streets | excavating a public street, and altering or disturbing street curbing | — | — | an amount set by the superintendent of streets to cover restoring the excavated area, with the balance refunded |
| City of Hollister - a permit from the Director of Public Works | installing a building sewer or connecting one to the public sewer, and uncovering, connecting to, opening, altering or disturbing any public sewer or its appurtenances | — | — | — |
| City of Hughson public works department | making any excavation in or upon a city street, where the owner's building sewer runs under one to the public sewer | 10 days by written application before work starts | — | cash, a certified or cashier's check, or a surety bond of not less than 100 percent of the estimated cost of the improvements, returned when the work is completed to the director's satisfaction, less inspection fees and any damage to the City |
| City of Huntington Beach | installing any pipe, apparatus, appliance or connection to any part of the City sewer system | — | — | — |
| City of Imperial Superintendent of Public Works Construction - a sewer permit for a new connection and an encroachment permit for work in the right-of-way | new connections of a lateral or house drain, and any work on the sewer in public rights-of-way | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way, where the owner's line continues to the main | — |
| City of Indio Director of Public Works | any encroachment in a public place including entry under a street and placing any facility under it | 24 hours before work starts | where the public place begins, which the code defines as a street, alley or other property owned by the City and dedicated for public use | if the Director requires it a cash surety bond or other acceptable security in the amount the Director sets as enough to restore the public place |
| City of Inglewood Public Works Director | any excavation in any public place, which is where the City's policy continues the owner's lateral to the public main | — | at the property line, where the public right-of-way portion of the lateral begins on the City's lateral diagram | — |
| City of Irvine, Chief Building Official | replacing or rearranging pipe, valves or fixtures; clearing a stoppage or repairing a leak does not | — | — | — |
| City of Irvine, Chief Building Official | any excavation in the public right-of-way, and maintaining an encroachment in a public street | not less than 48 hours | at the right-of-way line, beyond which the water district rebuilds the lower lateral for a house | a cash deposit set by the Chief Building Official to cover restoration and inspection, with a surety bond at twice the estimated cost where required |
| City of Irwindale city engineer | any excavation, fill or obstruction in a street or public right-of-way in the city, and laying, constructing or repairing a public utility system there, which is where the adopted County code puts the lateral | — | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | twice the estimated cost of repairing the street surface and at least ten dollars, or instead a general deposit, or a bond of at least one thousand dollars, with deposits for inspection time on top |
| City of Jackson - a permit to uncover, connect to or alter a service sewer, and a permit for any excavation in the street | uncovering, connecting to, opening into or altering a public or service sewer, and excavation within a street right-of-way | — | at the edge of the street right-of-way, where the owner's service lateral continues to the main | — |
| City of La Habra | repairing or replacing a house sewer or connecting sewer where the work requires excavation in the public right-of-way | — | at the curb, where the house sewer meets the connecting sewer - though the owner keeps both | — |
| City of La Mirada superintendent of streets, who stands in for the County commissioner under section 17.20.040 | excavations in any highway and placing repairing changing or removing facilities in it | — | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | a cash deposit or other adequate security in an amount the superintendent of streets sets, with no figure in the code |
| City of La Palma, City Engineer | repairs to or replacement of the house sewer or connecting sewer that require excavation in the public right-of-way, and any installation of sewer laterals | — | at the property line | the pavement breakage deposit required for excavating in the public right-of-way, in addition to the permit's issuance fee |
| City of La Puente, under the County highway permit ordinance its section 7.04.010 adopts | any excavation or encroachment in any highway | — | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | a cash deposit or other security in an amount the commissioner under the adopted County ordinance sets, with no figure in the code |
| City of Lafayette | any work or stored materials in the right-of-way | two business days | about 20-25 feet from the centre of the road, on most residential streets | typically $2,500, refundable, on top of a fee typically $247.50 |
| City of Lakewood Superintendent of Streets, who stands in for the County road commissioner under section 7101 | any excavation or encroachment in any highway | — | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | a cash deposit or other security in an amount the Superintendent of Streets sets, with no figure in the code |
| City of Larkspur, Public Works Department | any work in the public right-of-way, with water and sewer lateral repair named as its own emergency permit category in both trenchless and open-cut form | two business days | — | — |
| City of Lawndale public works department | excavating or disturbing any public street or right-of-way, which is where this city's code puts the lateral | seven business days where the permit carries that condition | at the property line, which is where the code's house lateral begins | a performance and removal bond in an amount set by the city engineer, with no figure in the code |
| City of Lemon Grove - a wastewater discharge permit for connecting a building sewer to a sewer service lateral, and City construction of connections to the trunk line sewer | connecting a building sewer to the sewer service lateral on private property; the connection to the main is made by the City, at the rates and lateral fees it charges | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way, where the owner's lateral continues to the collector main | — |
| City of Livingston - a street cut permit, a bond, and the building inspector's approval of the connection | connections to the City sewer (street cut permit), repairs and connections requiring excavation in streets (bond), and sewer lateral construction (inspection) | — | at the edge of the street, alley or road right-of-way | — |
| City of Loma Linda city engineer - a written construction permit for laying sewer pipe in a public street, alley or easement | laying or replacing the lateral in any street, alleyway or public easement | — | at the edge of the street, alley or public easement, where the owner's lateral continues to the main | — |
| City of Lomita, Public Works Department | any work in the City of Lomita right-of-way, such as streets, sidewalks, parkways, public easements and utility easements | at least 24 hours before work starts to the Public Works Inspector | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | a faithful performance bond or cash deposit for restoring the streets, in an amount the engineer sets from the estimated cost of restoration |
| City of Long Beach, the General Manager, through the Plumbing Division of the Planning and Building Department | constructing or altering a private sewer on private property or a sewer lateral, and separately any sewer within a public street | — | — | — |
| City of Los Altos | uncovering, connecting to, altering or disturbing any public sewer, and any work on a lateral or building sewer | — | — | — |
| City of Los Banos Director - a building sewer permit, and a written permit for any work on the public sewer | installing a building sewer, connecting it to the public sewer, and any opening into or disturbance of the public sewer | — | at the property line cleanout, where the owner's building sewer continues under the street to the public sewer | — |
| City of Lynwood, City Engineer | commencing any work or placing any obstruction in or upon a public street, including parkways and sidewalks | — | at the public street - though the owner's lateral runs on past it to the connection with the public sewer | — |
| City of Madera Public Works Department | grading excavating or constructing sewers or similar works in any street alley or way dedicated or proposed for public use | 24 hours before each inspection | where the street alley or way dedicated or proposed to be dedicated for public use begins | cash or a certified or cashier's check in the amount the Director fixes, or a faithful performance bond, before the permit issues |
| City of Manhattan Beach Building Inspector - inspection before the work is covered | all work under the City's sewer chapter, including house connection sewers and their repair | — | — | — |
| City of Martinez City Engineer | any encroachment within upon over or under a right-of-way in the city including excavating it or placing a pipeline under it | — | where the public right-of-way begins, which the code defines as land reserved for or dedicated to the use of the general public | a cash deposit fixed by the City Engineer as enough to restore the right-of-way, part of which may be a surety bond with the engineer's approval, released ninety days after the work is satisfactorily completed |
| City of Merced, the city engineer | repairing any connection between a building or premises and the city sewer | — | — | the engineer's own estimate of the repair, including opening and repairing the street or alley, deposited before the permit issues; the City then does the work against the deposit and refunds the excess |
| City of Modesto, Land Development Engineering | all work performed in the City's right-of-way, with sewer lateral repair and installation named among the examples | — | — | no amount is published; the contractor must carry workers' compensation and liability insurance on file with the City, and permit costs are excluded from the Cost-Share Program's reimbursement |
| City of Monrovia street superintendent - a written permit for any excavation in or under a public place | any excavation in or under the street for installing, repairing or removing a pipe, including a sewer lateral | — | at the private property line, where the lateral continues under the street to the main - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| City of Monte Sereno | any work within the right-of-way, under Title 8 chapter 3 of the City Code | — | — | — |
| City of Moreno Valley Public Works Department, Construction and Permits Division | any work that encroaches in the public right-of-way, which is where the lower lateral runs to the main | — | at the property line, where the public right-of-way begins | — |
| City of Newark | any construction or obstruction in a public street or dedicated public easement | — | — | a performance bond of 120% of the approved cost estimate or $1,000, whichever is greater, plus 10% held through a one-year maintenance period |
| City of Newman - an encroachment permit from the Public Works Department | any work within the right-of-way of a street, alley or other public property, which for a sewer line is from the back edge of the sidewalk into the street | — | the back edge of the sidewalk | a bond, cashier's check or certified check in an amount the Street Superintendent approves, held for one year after the work is completed, unless the applicant is a franchised public utility or a contractor with a City business license in force for five years |
| City of Norwalk - the City Engineer for the street, the Building Official for the pipe | excavating a street or public place, and constructing, altering, repairing or replacing a plumbing system | — | — | a surety bond or cash deposit set under the excavation chapter, with no figure in the code |
| City of Oakdale - a sewer permit for any connection to the sewage system, with lines built to City standards and approved by the director | connecting to the sewage system and constructing on-site and off-site sewer lines and connections | — | at the edge of the street, easement or alley, where the lateral continues to the main | — |
| City of Oakland | installing a lateral in private property or in the City right-of-way | at least 48 hours | — | — |
| City of Oceanside, Water Utilities Department | sewer house connection repairs or replacement where any portion of the work touches, extends into or encroaches upon a public right-of-way, and separately any work at all on the city's sanitary sewer system | — | — | no amounts are published on the pages read |
| City of Orange, Department of Public Works | excavating a public street for the installation, repair or removal of a pipe, and any excavation in the right-of-way | — | nowhere on this run - the owner's lateral reaches the main and includes the junction | a deposit calculated per square foot of excavation with a minimum, or a general deposit or surety bond instead |
| City of Orinda | excavation in the street or right-of-way | — | — | — |
| City of Oroville, superintendent of streets | tearing up, loosening or removing any part of the surface of any public street or public thoroughfare in the city | — | at the property line | a deposit set by the superintendent of streets from the existing cost of resurfacing, or a general bond in the amount in the Master Fee Schedule, held for two years after the work is certified |
| City of Oxnard, the city manager for connections and the public works department for abandonments | connecting private property to the sewer system, and abandoning a sewer lateral when a structure is demolished without replacement | — | — | a connection fee is required and no amount is published in the code; an owner who leaves a lateral unsealed may instead be charged the City's own cost of doing it, as a debt to the city |
| City of Palm Springs Public Works Director | constructing building sewers in any street right-of-way and any pipe or excavation placed in or under the right-of-way | 24 hours before beginning the work | at the property line | if the director requires one, a cash deposit or approved surety bond in the sum the director fixes as enough to restore the right-of-way, released when the work is satisfactorily completed |
| City of Palos Verdes Estates - the public works director for the street, the city engineer for the sewer | excavating a street, and separately constructing, using or altering a house lateral | — | at the property line, which is where the adopted code's house lateral begins | a trench cut cost recovery fee and deposits set by council resolution, with no figure in the code |
| City of Parlier - a permit from the director of public works, with the work inspected before the excavation is filled | excavation in public property, installing a sewer there, connecting to a public sewer, and any work within a public right-of-way (encroachment permit) | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way | — |
| City of Pasadena, Department of Public Works | all sewer repairs, including the installation of a pipe liner, whether or not an excavation in the public right-of-way is required | — | — | no permit fee is published; the code sets a separate charge of $7.50 for permission to connect where no Y or T has previously been installed, and the CCTV review carries a flat fee per the City's current general fee schedule |
| City of Patterson | installing, altering or repairing any public sewer, side sewer, building sewer or other sewerage facility in the city | — | — | — |
| City of Petaluma, Public Works Director - written permits for excavation in a public street or right-of-way | any excavation in or under a public street, alley, sidewalk, other right-of-way or public easement to install, repair or remove any pipe | at least eight working hours before excavation starts | at the City right-of-way, where the lateral runs on to the main - though the owner owns the whole run to the main and the connection | a special deposit or bond set at the estimated cost of restoration, not required for work by or on behalf of the owner of a single-family residence appurtenant to it; a deposit of anticipated inspection fees may still be required |
| City of Pico Rivera city engineer | making any excavation or encroachment in any street, which the code measures across the entire width of the right-of-way | — | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | twice the city engineer's estimate of the cost of restoring the pavement and base, in addition to an issuance fee set by resolution |
| City of Piedmont | work on the private sewer lateral between the building and the City main, as a full or partial replacement | — | — | — |
| City of Pismo Beach, director of public works | uncovering, connecting with, opening into, altering or disturbing any public sewer or its appurtenances | — | — | — |
| City of Placentia public works director | any excavation or opening in a public street, alley or other public place, which is where the lateral runs to the main | — | at the edge of the public street, where the lateral leaves the lot on its way to the main | an amount set by council resolution and held for six months after the work |
| City of Pleasant Hill | work in the public right-of-way or easement | — | — | — |
| City of Pleasanton | constructing, installing, altering or repairing a side sewer, service lateral or trunk sewer, and any excavation in a public right-of-way | — | at the edge of the street or easement, where the side sewer meets the service lateral - though the owner keeps both | — |
| City of Plymouth - a written permit for sewer work | any work on a lateral or building sewer, and uncovering, connecting to or disturbing a public sewer | — | — | the required fees, payable before the permit issues; for repair or maintenance of a lateral sewer by the City, a deposit of the City's estimate before the work starts, with any excess refunded and any shortfall billed, unless the owner hires a licensed contractor and pays inspection fees instead |
| City of Port Hueneme - the Public Works Director | connecting any private property in the City to the City's wastewater system | — | — | — |
| City of Porterville - a permit to construct a sewer in a street, alley or easement, or to connect onto the City sewer system | constructing a sewer in the street and connecting onto the City sewer, including replacing a house connection | — | at the private property line, where the house connection continues under the street to the main - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| City of Portola - notice and inspection before the sewer is covered | constructing a new sewer or an addition to an old one | — | — | — |
| City of Rancho Cucamonga | any excavation or opening in a public place | 24 hours before any inspection | — | a cash deposit or equivalent at the city engineer's discretion, in an amount the city engineer sets, on top of a permit fee set by council resolution and waived for the water district |
| City of Redlands - an encroachment permit | lateral maintenance that requires excavation or replacement of existing sewer facilities | — | — | — |
| City of Redondo Beach, the Engineer | any connection with a public sewer of the City, and making one without a permit is unlawful to maintain as well as to make | — | — | — |
| City of Redwood City | repairing the sewer lateral, with a separate encroachment permit for work on, over or under a right-of-way | — | the cleanout at the property line belongs to the owner, and work beyond the right-of-way line needs the second permit | — |
| City of Reedley building inspection division, with a separate public works director's permit for work in the right-of-way | constructing or replacing a building sewer to the main, and any part of that work in the street | — | at the private property line, where the building sewer continues under the street to the main - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| City of Rialto | any maintenance on the building sewer needing an excavation in the public right-of-way, and separately uncovering, connecting to, altering or disturbing any public sewer | — | the owner's liability runs up to and including the connection with the public sewer, so the last few feet are in the street | — |
| City of Ripon - the City Engineer's written permit, with the connection inspected before it is covered | connecting to or opening into the public sewers, and replacing any part of a building sewer or sewer lateral | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way, where the owner's connection continues to the City main | — |
| City of Riverbank Public Works Director - an encroachment permit for any construction in the public street right-of-way, with security | any construction or encroachment in the street, including a repair to a sewer lateral | — | at the private property line, where the lateral continues under the street to the main - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| City of Rohnert Park - inspection before a repaired or replaced building sewer is covered | repairing or replacing a building sewer | — | — | — |
| City of Rosemead Superintendent of Streets, who stands in for the County road commissioner under section 12.04.020 | any excavation or encroachment in any highway | — | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | a cash deposit or other security in an amount the Superintendent of Streets sets, with no figure in the code |
| City of Salinas | uncovering, connecting to, altering or disturbing any public sewer, and separately installing a building sewer | — | — | — |
| City of San Diego | work within the public right-of-way or a water or sewer easement | — | at the public right-of-way or easement boundary | — |
| City of San Dimas Public Works Department | any construction or activity that involves the City right-of-way, naming a sewer connection in the right-of-way | at least 24 hours before an inspection and by noon one business day before the work | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | — |
| City of San Jacinto, through the superintendent | constructing, using or altering a public or house connection sewer; clearing a stoppage or repairing a leak is exempt unless the pipe is replaced in different material | in writing as soon as the work is ready for inspection | at the connection with the public sewer, with the owner's duty reaching into the right-of-way | a bond in a sum set by resolution of the city council, required of the registered contractor before a connection permit |
| City of San José, department of public works | any excavation in a public street to repair or clean a lateral sewer drain, with written permission required before the work | — | — | a general deposit against street damage, set in the council fee schedule, waived for a city-licensed master plumber, whose bond on file stands in its place |
| City of San Ramon City Engineer | any encroachment within on over or under a right-of-way in the city including excavating it or placing a pipeline under it | notify the City Engineer of the time of beginning work before any excavation | where the public right-of-way begins, which the code defines as land reserved for or dedicated to the use of the general public | unless waived in the permit a cash deposit fixed by the City Engineer as enough to restore the right-of-way, part of which may be a surety bond with the engineer's approval, released ninety days after the work is satisfactorily completed |
| City of Santa Ana | any sewer connection | — | — | a fee set as the applicant's proportionate share of the cost of construction, computed from the net increase in fixture units, with the per-unit assessment set by council resolution and no figure published |
| City of Santa Clara | connecting any premises to the sewer system, with a separate connection for each building unless the Director permits sharing in writing | — | — | the established connection fees, payable before the permit issues; the City prices a City-laid lateral at $46,993 excluding the cleanout |
| City of Santa Maria, Public Works Department | installing, removing or reconstructing an underground pipeline on any public street or way | — | at the public right-of-way, where the side sewer becomes the lateral sewer - though the owner keeps both halves | — |
| City of Santa Monica, the Street Superintendent issuing and the Utilities Division making the connection | making, constructing, altering or repairing any house connection sewer or any portion of one, with clearing a stoppage exempt unless pipe is replaced or a street, sidewalk or sewer easement is excavated | — | — | no amounts are published; permit and inspection fees are set under section 7.04.510, a tapping or saddling fee is set by council resolution, and connecting to a house connection the City built requires paying the City's recorded construction cost before the permit issues |
| City of Santa Paula director - an encroachment permit for any encroachment or excavation in the right-of-way | any encroachment upon, over, under or within a right-of-way, including an excavation to repair a sewer lateral | — | at the private property line, where the lateral continues under the street to the main - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| City of Santa Rosa, Water Engineering for encroachment permits and the Director of Utilities for work on a public sewer | any work in a public right of way or public utility easement, and separately any uncovering, connection, opening, alteration or disturbance of a public sewer | — | — | — |
| City of Scotts Valley - the director of public works' written permit | any opening or excavation on a public street | — | at the edge of the public street | — |
| City of Seal Beach director of public works - a connection permit for connecting any premises to the city sewer system | connecting premises to the city sewer system, including a replacement lateral tied back in to the collector sewer | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way, where the owner's lateral continues under the street to the collector sewer | — |
| City of Seaside city engineer or building inspector | any excavation in or under the surface of a street, alley, sidewalk, public way or public place in the city | — | at the edge of the street or other public way, where the lateral runs on to the main | a bond in an amount the public works department sets to cover restoring the surface, or for a public utility or licensed contractor a bond filed with the City guaranteeing replacement and repair |
| City of Shasta Lake - a permit before a building sewer is installed, altered or repaired, with inspection before backfill | installing, altering or repairing a building sewer | — | at the street or easement in which the public sewer lies, where the owner's building sewer continues to the main | — |
| City of Sierra Madre - a sewer construction permit from the director, with the work inspected | constructing or altering a house connection sewer, main-line sewer or public sewer | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way, where the owner's house connection continues to the main-line sewer | — |
| City of Signal Hill city engineer | excavating or tunnelling under any street or other public way in the city, which is where the adopted County code puts the lateral | — | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | seventy-five cents per square foot of excavation under pavement and fifteen cents elsewhere with a minimum of twenty-five dollars and a maximum of one thousand dollars or a one thousand dollar surety bond |
| City of Simi Valley, Building Official | removing and replacing defective pipe, which the code counts as new work; clearing a stoppage or stopping a leak does not | — | — | — |
| City of Simi Valley, Director of Public Services | excavating a street, and repairing a pipe in, along, across or through one | before the work commences | at the right-of-way line the encroachment chapter governs | a cash deposit set by the Director of Public Works to cover restoring the right-of-way, released ninety days after completion |
| City of Taft, Director of Public Works | constructing or altering a public sewer or other sewering facility discharging to the City's facilities, and constructing a house connection to the City's lateral, collecting or mainline sewer | — | — | the fees and deposits required for replacing public improvements disturbed by the sewer connection |
| City of Tehachapi - an encroachment permit and a building permit | maintenance, repair or replacement of a lateral that requires removing sub-base, base, asphalt, or concrete curb, gutter or sidewalk in the City's right of way | — | — | — |
| City of Thousand Oaks - the building official for the pipe, the City Engineer for the right-of-way | altering or repairing building service equipment, and excavating or placing a pipe within a right-of-way | twenty-four business hours to the Public Works Department | at the property line, where the building lateral becomes the service lateral - though the owner keeps both | — |
| City of Torrance, Community Development Department for the two permits and the Street Superintendent under the code | altering any public or house connection sewer in the City, split between a Plumbing Permit for the run from the building to the property line and a Construction & Excavation Permit for the run from the property line to the sewer main | — | — | — |
| City of Tulare General Manager - a written permit to alter or connect to the public sewer, or to install, alter or replace sewage facilities | installing, altering, relocating or replacing any part of the sewage facilities, and any opening into or connection with the public sewer | — | at the private property line, where the building sewer continues under the street to the public sewer - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| City of Turlock - a sewer permit for any connection to the sewer system, with lines built to City standards and approved by the City Engineer | making a connection to the sewer system and constructing on-site and off-site sewer connection lines | — | at the cleanout, where the City-maintained length in the right-of-way begins | — |
| City of Ukiah | any work on a street lateral or building lateral, and any connection with or opening into a public sewer | written notice to the Director of Public Works at least 24 hours (weekends and holidays excluded) before the work is ready for inspection | at the property line | — |
| City of Union City | construction or improvements in the public right-of-way | — | — | a faithful performance bond of 110% of the estimated cost of work, due before the permit issues |
| City of Upland city engineer | any excavation in a public right-of-way and any improvement on, under, over or across a street, alley or public place in the city | 24 hours before the time set for inspection | at the edge of the public street or right-of-way, where the City's code places the owner's lateral and its connection to the main | processing and inspection fees set by council resolution |
| City of Ventura, Ventura Water and the Building and Safety Division | any sale of a property, with the inspection a condition precedent and the report going to the buyer and the city | — | — | — |
| City of Victorville | any repair on a building sewer, and a second right-of-way permit where the work encroaches on the public right-of-way | — | at the property line, beyond which the City maintains - so a repair that reaches the street may be on the City's length rather than the owner's | — |
| City of Villa Park | installing sewer laterals and mains or any work in connection with them, except work under a subdivision improvement agreement | — | — | — |
| City of Visalia, the director | an initial connection to the sewer system, and increasing the number of dwelling units on premises already connected | — | — | the City installs all lateral sewers and their connections to the mains, and charges the property owner for the cost |
| City of Walnut Creek | any work in the public right of way | — | — | — |
| City of Walnut. Section 5.12.010 reads the County ordinance's superintendent of streets as the County Road Commissioner or another person the City Council appoints, and the City's Engineering page says its contract City Engineer provides permits | the making of excavations in the public streets | — | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | twice the estimated cost of repairing the street surface the excavation may damage, at least $10.00, on top of the issuance fee |
| City of Wasco Public Works Director | constructing, using or altering any sewer connection, including replacing any part of a house connection sewer with other material; removing stoppages and repairing leaks are exempt | in writing to the public works director immediately after the work is ready for inspection | at the property line | for work in a public place, a cash deposit with the excavation permit application of five dollars per square foot of paved surface opened (less for unpaved surfaces) and never less than one hundred dollars, held as security for restoring the street |
| City of Weed - notice and inspection | sewerage construction or alterations, including cutting into a City sewer | — | — | — |
| City of West Hollywood City Engineer | any excavation or encroachment in any highway | — | at the property line, where the adopted County code's house lateral begins | a cash deposit or other security in an amount the commissioner under the adopted County ordinance sets, with no figure in the code |
| City of West Sacramento - a sewer permit for installing, altering or repairing any side sewer or building sewer, and a separate street excavation permit for work in a public street | any work on a lateral or building sewer, on the owner's land or in the street | — | at the City's cleanout for a single-family home, where the City's lower lateral begins | — |
| City of Wheatland - the city engineer's permit to repair a connection with the city sewer | repairing any connection of a building or premises with the city sewer | — | — | the engineer's estimate of the repair cost, including opening and repairing any street or alley but not the pipe and fittings, deposited before the permit issues; the City makes the repair, charges the cost against the deposit and refunds any excess |
| City of Woodland - a written permit, issued to contractors, for any connection with, opening into or alteration of the public sewer, and an encroachment permit for work in the right-of-way | work that uncovers, connects with, opens into or alters the public sewer, and any excavation in the right-of-way | — | at the property line or curb line, where the City's maintained length of the lateral begins | — |
| City of Yreka - a written permit from the City Clerk, with the work under the direct supervision of the Director of Public Works | any connection with or to a sewer under a public street or alley | — | — | — |
| City of Yuba City | constructing a building sewer or service lateral, or connecting to a public sewer | — | at the sidewalk and street - though the owner's lateral runs on to and includes the wye at the main | — |
| Costa Mesa Sanitary District | a condominium conversion, a remodel over $25,000, an enlargement of 200 square feet or more, two or more added plumbing fixtures, or a sewage overflow | — | nowhere on this run - the owner's length reaches the main and includes the connection | — |
| County Engineer, under Los Angeles County's ordinance adopted by the City | constructing, using or altering any public sewer, main-line sewer or house lateral | — | — | — |
| East Valley Water District | uncovering, connecting to, opening into, altering or disturbing a District sewer, and building, extending or connecting to one | not less than 48 hours before the work is to be inspected excluding weekends and holidays | — | — |
| Eastern Municipal Water District | modifying or relocating an existing sewer service lateral, and connecting a new one | in writing before the District schedules the work | at the roadbed, outside which private maintenance activity must stay unless the District directs it | inspection charges from the Consolidated Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges, paid before authorisation, with no figure in the code |
| Estero Municipal Improvement District (Foster City) | uncovering, repairing, connecting to or altering any public sewer, and any work on any lateral, building sewer or side sewer | at least 48 hours before inspection | — | — |
| Fort Bragg Municipal Improvement District No. 1, operated by the City of Fort Bragg | any work on any sewer lateral, and all underground sanitary sewer works, which may not be covered until inspected and passed | not less than 24 hours in writing before the work is to be inspected | — | — |
| Goleta Sanitary District | any connection with or opening into the public sewer, replacing the lateral, and any repair outside the property line or within a District easement | — | at the property line | a permit and inspection fee for each connection, paid when the application is filed |
| Hi-Desert Water District and the Town of Yucca Valley - all required permits and inspections before connecting to the District's sewer | installing and connecting the sewer lateral to the District's wastewater system | — | at the property line, beyond which the lateral becomes District property once connected | — |
| Jurupa Community Services District - a permit to connect to its sewer | making a connection to a District public sewer | — | — | — |
| Lake County Sanitation District | constructing, repairing or altering a side sewer, from the building's foundation to the main, or making a connection with any main sewer | — | — | — |
| Los Angeles Board of Public Works | making, constructing, altering or repairing any house connection sewer or any part of one, but not clearing a stoppage unless that means replacing pipe or excavating in a street, sidewalk or easement | — | — | — |
| Los Angeles County Public Works (the County Engineer) | constructing, using or altering any public sewer, main-line sewer, house lateral or similar appurtenance in the County | at least 24 hours before any inspection to the county engineer | at the property line, where the County Code's house lateral begins | — |
| Marina Coast Water District - a written permit and fees | constructing a building sewer or lateral sewer, or connecting to a public sewer | — | — | — |
| Mission Springs Water District, with the sewer opening permit issued by the City of Desert Hot Springs or the County of Riverside | making a connection to a public sewer, and connecting a sewer lateral to it | 24 hours before the building sewer is ready for inspection excluding Saturdays Sundays and holidays | at the property line | — |
| Novato Sanitary District | installing, altering or repairing any public sewer, lateral sewer, building sewer or other sewerage facility within the District | — | — | — |
| San Francisco Public Works | work past the trap, towards the roadway and up to the sewer main; the run between the building and the trap goes through general excavation instead | — | at the trap | a Street Excavation Bond of at least $25,000, maintained with the Department of Public Works |
| Seaside County Sanitation District | constructing a lateral sewer or house sewer, or a connection to the District's collection or outfall sewers | — | — | — |
| The necessary encroachment permits - the City's, or Caltrans's on a state highway | maintaining, repairing or replacing any portion of the private sewer lateral within the public right-of-way | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way | — |
| The required permits, and the Solana Beach city engineer's written permission to uncover or connect to the public sewer | cleaning, maintaining and repairing the sewer lateral, and uncovering or connecting to the public sewer | — | at the edge of the public right-of-way, where the owner's lateral continues to the main | — |
| Town of Apple Valley - advance authorization to construct sewers or connect to the Town sewer system, and a connection permit for laterals | constructing or installing a sewer lateral and connecting it to the Town sewer | — | at the property line cleanout, where the lateral continues under the street to the main - though the owner keeps all of it | — |
| Town of Atherton | any work in the public right-of-way, with a named permit type for utility service connections including sewer | — | — | — |
| Town of Colma, the Building Inspector | constructing a side sewer, which must meet the requirements of the sanitation agency owning the main it joins | — | — | — |
| Town of Danville | any work in the public right of way | at least 48 hours | approximately 10 feet from the face of the kerb, varying through the Town | a security deposit, amount not published |
| Town of Fairfax | work or encroachment on a local agency right-of-way, with sewer improvement named on the form | — | — | — |
| Town of Los Altos Hills, City Engineer | installing, adding to, altering, relocating or replacing sewerage facilities or any part of them, and any connection with or opening into a public sewer | at least 48 working hours before the work is to be inspected to the City Engineer | at the property line, where the public right-of-way begins | — |
| Town of Los Gatos | temporary use of the public right-of-way for private construction, naming sewers twice | — | — | — |
| Town of Moraga | any construction in the public right-of-way | — | — | may be required, for repair of damaged paving |
| Town of Portola Valley | any work in the public right-of-way, naming trenching for utilities | — | — | fees and bonds both payable before work commences, with neither amount published |
| Town of Ross | any work in the public right-of-way, including the planting strip and driveway cut | — | — | — |
| Town of San Anselmo | any work in the Town's public right of way | — | — | — |
| Town of Woodside | uncovering, connecting to, altering or disturbing a public sewer | at least 48 hours before inspection | at the property-line cleanout, beyond which the Town maintains | fees and connection charges from the Town schedule, with no figure in the code |
| Union Sanitary District | demolishing a building served by the sewer, and capping or abandoning the lateral that served it | — | — | a $200 permit and inspection fee plus a $500 refundable deposit, returned on final inspection |
| Union Sanitary District | any work before it begins, including repairs on private property | — | — | — |
| Union Sanitary District | a detached accessory dwelling unit, or one expanding the house by more than 150 square feet | 24 hours before sewer construction begins | — | a capacity charge set by ordinance, payable before the sewer permit issues |
| Ventura County Waterworks District No. 1 - a written permit before constructing a building sewer, lateral sewer or connection to a public sewer | building sewers, lateral sewers and connections to the public sewer | — | at the edge of the public way or easement, where the privately owned house lateral continues to the main | — |
| Ventura County Waterworks District No. 8 | installing or replacing a backflow prevention assembly, and testing an existing one | — | at the meter, which the District maintains up to and including | — |
| West Bay Sanitary District | rehabilitating or replacing a private sewer lateral, by open trench or trenchless method | — | — | a permit fee of $510 for an open-trench repair and $720 for a trenchless one, including the District's inspection |
| West Bay Sanitary District | uncovering, connecting to, altering or disturbing any public sewer or appurtenance | — | at a conforming cleanout within 5 feet of the property line, beyond which the District may clear the run and without which it does not | — |
| West Bay Sanitary District | installing a backflow prevention device where the floor sits less than twelve inches above the nearest upstream manhole | — | at the Conforming Property Line Cleanout Assembly, on the house side of which the device is placed | — |
| West Valley Sanitation District | connecting to the District's sanitary sewer system, which needs a sewer connection permit or a wastewater discharge permit | — | at the property line cleanout, where the code's definitions start the lower lateral the District owns - though the code also runs the District's part from the property line, names the connection at the public sewer as an end point for the owner's side, and says the District may continue to maintain an existing lateral while elsewhere saying it will; confirm with the District | — |
| the County Road Commissioner, named in Paramount's own streets title as the officer who issues it | any excavation, fill or obstruction, or other work of any nature, in, over, along, across or through any highway | — | at the highway - though the owner's lateral runs on past the property line to the main-line sewer | — |
| the commissioner named in the adopted County highway permit ordinance; section 6-1A-2 makes the County road commissioner, or a person the City Council appoints, the City's superintendent of streets | any excavation or encroachment in any highway | — | at the property line | a cash deposit or other security in an amount the commissioner sets, with no figure in the code |
An em dash means BelowGrid has not recorded an answer on that point, which is not the same as there being nothing to meet. Ask the authority before you dig.
Why it matters at a city line
A compliance certificate is issued under a particular programme. Where two adjacent cities answer to different bodies, a certificate from one is not the document the other asks for — even where the underlying inspection would have been identical.
Arcata, Avalon, Berkeley, Burlingame, Colfax, Eureka, Grass Valley, Hercules, Hillsborough, Imperial Beach, Mill Valley, Millbrae, Monterey, Morgan Hill, Nevada City, Pacific Grove, Pacifica, Pinole, Placerville, Rancho Palos Verdes, Richmond, San Bruno, San Leandro, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, San Rafael, Santa Cruz, South San Francisco, Ventura, Watsonville, Whittier, Willits each regulate their own laterals, so a seller in one of them deals with that city rather than with a regional programme.
BelowGrid reports what each authority states. It does not advise which applies to a particular transaction, and a certificate’s validity is a question for the body that issued it.
How this was produced
Each city links to its own page, and each row links to the document it was read from. A city appears under the authority whose area covers it, which is not always the body that bills you for sewer service.
What this does not tell you
- This table compares the cities whose codes have been read. A city missing from it has not been read yet - ask it directly.
- In this state but not in the table, because nobody here has read their code yet: Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Alturas, American Canyon, Anaheim, Angels Camp, and 303 more.
- Each row states the requirement at sale only. These programmes also have triggers at major remodelling and at changes to a water meter, which are not compared here.