Sewer lateral inspection in Hillsborough: the local rules

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

What Hillsborough's code says

Hillsborough code What Hillsborough's code adds
How long a certificate lasts	20 years from the date of installation. Applies: Applies to new or entirely replaced laterals. § 13.33.080 · code text New, or entirely replaced, laterals—Twenty years from the date of installation. 10 years. Applies: Applies to repaired laterals, or existing laterals that pass an approved pressure test. § 13.33.080 · code text Repaired laterals, or existing laterals that pass an approved pressure test—Ten years. 20 years from the documented date of installation. Applies: Applies when the city engineer accepts proof the upper lateral was newly installed or fully replaced to town standards in the past 5 years. § 13.33.080 · code text If evidence satisfactory to the city engineer is provided that documents that the upper lateral had been newly installed or fully replaced in accordance with town standards within the preceding five years, a compliance certificate will be provided to the property owner with a term of twenty years from the documented date of installation.
Fee or permit	The town will waive certain fees. Applies: Applies when homeowners coordinate their lateral work with the town's public sewer main rehabilitation. § 13.33.040 · code text The town will waive certain fees, and the homeowners will be offered the opportunity to coordinate with the town's work, saving significant costs.
When an inspection is required	The town must inspect and approve the work, visually and by video; final approval needs a pressure test. Applies: Applies when a private sewer lateral is repaired or rehabilitated. § 13.33.050 · code text When private sewer laterals are repaired or rehabilitated, they must be inspected and approved by the town. Private laterals are examined when the town rehabilitates the public sewer main they connect to. Applies: Unless exempt under a valid compliance certificate. § 13.33.040 · code text When the town rehabilitates a segment of public sewer main, the private laterals connected to it will be examined at the same time unless they are specifically exempted as provided in Section 13.33.080 below. Provide proof of compliance, or a pressure test observed and approved by the town's inspector. Applies: Applies when an owner wants a compliance certificate while the town is not rehabilitating the sewer main serving the property. § 13.33.080 · code text If a homeowner wishes to obtain a compliance certificate at any time other than when the town is rehabilitating the public sewer main serving the property, the owner shall provide documentation demonstrating compliance or shall arrange for a pressure test to be conducted; the pressure test must be observed and approved by the town's inspector.
Owner's responsibility	The property owner must renew the compliance certificate before it expires. § 13.33.080 · code text Once a compliance certificate is issued to the property owner it shall be the property owner's responsibility to renew the certificate before expiration of its term. The property owner must correct illegal sources of inflow. Applies: Applies when illegal inflow sources are found on the property. § 13.33.040 · code text If illegal sources of inflow are observed, the property owner shall be required to correct the conditions. Owners with defective upper laterals are encouraged to rehabilitate them. Applies: Applies when deficiencies are found in upper laterals during public sewer main rehabilitation. § 13.33.040 · code text At that time, the town will evaluate the upper laterals, and if deficiencies are identified the owners of properties with defective laterals will be encouraged to rehabilitate them.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Hillsborough's code: The town must inspect and approve the work, visually and by video; final approval needs a pressure test. (Applies when a private sewer lateral is repaired or rehabilitated.) (§ 13.33.050); 20 years from the date of installation. (Applies to new or entirely replaced laterals.) (§ 13.33.080).

Sewer lateral inspection in Hillsborough

What Hillsborough's code says

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