Sewer lateral inspection in Hercules: the local rules

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

What Hercules's code says

Hercules code What Hercules's code adds
How long a certificate lasts	A video inspection is valid for 6 months; after that the city may require a new one. Applies: Applies to the video inspection needed before a certificate of compliance is issued. § 5-10.05 · code text A video inspection shall be valid for a period of six (6) months from the date of the inspection. No new testing is needed for 10 years after a certificate of compliance is issued. Applies: Unless the city has reason to believe the lateral is defective. § 5-10.08 · code text Once a certificate of compliance is issued, the building sewer lateral for which the certificate of compliance is issued shall not require testing for a period of ten (10) years from the date of issuance of the certificate of compliance unless the City has reason to believe the building sewer lateral is in a defective condition.
Deadline to comply	No more than 180 days after close of escrow or other transfer to repair or replace the lateral. Applies: Applies when hardship status is granted in a nonprobate sale. § 5-10.11 · code text If hardship status is granted, the property owner who is selling the property, or the purchaser of such property, shall have no more than one hundred eighty (180) days after the close of escrow or other transfer of the property to repair or replace the building sewer lateral.
When an inspection is required	Required on listed events, such as a major sewage flow increase, change of use, lateral repair, sale, or city request. Applies: Applies to existing building sewer laterals connected to the city's public sewer. § 5-10.05 · code text All existing building sewer laterals, including but not limited to those serving residential, multiple residential, commercial and industrial properties, connected to the City's public sewer shall be cleaned and inspected at the property owner's expense when any of the following events occur: Before close of escrow on a sale or transfer; with no escrow, before the title transfer is recorded. Applies: Not required for a transfer between family members that does not trigger reassessment. § 5-10.05 · code text Prior to the close of escrow upon a sale or other transfer of the house, building, property or other structure served or, if there is no escrow, prior to recording a deed or other document transferring title to the house, building, property or other structure served. Within 180 days after the sale, transfer or conveyance. Applies: Applies to probate or other estate transfers, living trust transfers, joint tenancy terminations, or similar instruments. § 5-10.05 · code text within one hundred eighty (180) days after the sale, transfer or conveyance of the house, building, property or other structure served. At any time on city request, starting after the 5th year from the ordinance's effective date. Applies: Applies on city request. § 5-10.05 · code text Upon request by the City at any time commencing upon the expiration of the fifth year after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter.
Owner's responsibility	Owners must not keep a defective lateral, such as one with roots, leaks, or a missing clean-out or backwater device. § 5-10.05 · code text It shall be unlawful for any property owner to maintain a building sewer lateral in a defective condition. The property owner pays for cleaning and inspection. Applies: Applies when any inspection trigger occurs. § 5-10.05 · code text All existing building sewer laterals, including but not limited to those serving residential, multiple residential, commercial and industrial properties, connected to the City's public sewer shall be cleaned and inspected at the property owner's expense when any of the following events occur:

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Frequently asked questions

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

Hercules's code: Required on listed events, such as a major sewage flow increase, change of use, lateral repair, sale, or city request. (Applies to existing building sewer laterals connected to the city's public sewer.) (§ 5-10.05); A video inspection is valid for 6 months; after that the city may require a new one. (Applies to the video inspection needed before a certificate of compliance is issued.) (§ 5-10.05).

Sewer lateral inspection in Hercules

What Hercules's code says

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