Sewer Lateral Inspection

A sewer lateral inspection is a process of inspecting the sewer pipe that connects a property's plumbing system to the public City sewer system in the street. Most cities require an inspection of the sewer lateral as part of the building permit process. Sewer lateral inspections are conducted by a professional licensed plumber using specialized equipment.

The City requires a sewer lateral inspection on the property line cleanout and the sewer lateral connecting to the City Main Sewer line for all projects that include:

• constructing a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU), if greater than 600 sq. ft. in size,
• constructing a new single-family home,
• an addition(s) and/or remodel(s) that cumulatively exceeds an equivalent cost of a 600 sq. ft. addition to an existing single-family home within the last 5 years, or
• a commercial tenant improvement with cumulative improvements that exceed an equivalent cost of a 600 sq. ft. addition to a building within the last 5 years.

The inspection must be completed during review of your building plans and prior to the City issuing a building permit to begin construction. The inspection cannot be deferred to a later date.

An inspection is required to identify if there are any issues with the sewer lateral, such as blockages, cracks, breaks, leaks or damage caused by roots or other environmental factors. If left unchecked, these issues can lead to more expensive damage to the property's plumbing system, such as sewer backups, flooding, or structural damage. 

The following steps occur in a sewer lateral inspection: 

1. Locate the clean-out, or access point, into the sewer lateral on your property.  This is typically within the front yard of the home in close proximity to the front property line or back of the public sidewalk. 

2. Hire a licensed professional plumber to conduct the inspection. Typically, the plumber will need access to electrical power and water to conduct the inspection.   

Note: A City Wastewater Inspector must be on-site during the scheduled inspection with your hired plumber. The inspection must use a color camera. Please contact Wastewater Supervisor to schedule at 650-903-6329.

3. The plumber will insert a flexible hose with a small camera on the end and guide the hose through the sewer pipe. The camera captures images and videos that document the existing condition of the sewer lateral. 

4. The plumber conducts the inspection in real-time to identify any problems and help you determine repair or replacement options. Some examples of common repairs are: hydro-jetting to clear blockages, repairing or replacing damaged pipes, or removing roots or debris.  

5. The plumber provides a final report that includes the images, video, and any recommendations for repairs or replacement. You will need to retain a copy of the images and video captured by the plumber to provide to the City Wastewater Inspector.

The Public Works Department will review the video and determine if any repairs are required. The City retains the video. 

A permit is required to replace or repair a sewer lateral pipe.  The City permits replacements or repairs to ensure the proper pipe size, placement, and connection between the home and the City sewer main is installed and maintained. 

• If the portion of the replacement or repair is on private property (up to the property line clean out), then a building permit is required.
• If the portion of the replacement or repair is in the public right-of-way (from the property line clean out to the City Sewer Main Line), then an excavation permit is required.
• If the property line clean out is to be repaired or replaced, either a building permit or an excavation permit is required. 
• If the replacement or repair is both before and after the property line clean out, then both permits are required.