Sewer lateral inspection in Millbrae: the local rules

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

What Millbrae's code says

Millbrae code What Millbrae's code adds
How long a certificate lasts	No new test is needed for 5 years after a passed test. Applies: Point-of-sale lateral test; testing is at city discretion since the consent decree ended November 14, 2016, unless extended. § 8.20.450 · code text For a period of five years following a test which sanitary sewer lateral passed; No new test is needed for 20 years after the city accepts a full lateral replacement. Applies: Point-of-sale lateral test; testing is at city discretion since the consent decree ended November 14, 2016, unless extended. § 8.20.450 · code text For a period of twenty years after acceptance, by the city, of work performed for replacement of the complete sanitary sewer lateral;
Deadline to comply	Within 90 days. Applies: Lateral fails the inspection required before a building permit; counted from the date the city finds the defect. § 8.20.460 · code text Any defects in the sewer lateral that cause the sewer lateral to fail the inspection must be repaired or replaced within ninety days of the date the city determines that a defect exists.
When an inspection is required	The lateral must be tested, and any city-approved repair or replacement done, before title transfers. Applies: Property with buildings over 20 years old at transfer; at city discretion since the consent decree ended November 14, 2016, unless extended. § 8.20.450 · code text A property's sanitary sewer lateral(s) shall be tested for inflow and infiltration and all necessary repairs or replacement work shall be completed by the owner and approved by the city prior to transfer of title whenever any property is to be transferred to or vested in any other person or entity and such property includes any buildings or structures constructed more than twenty years prior to the anticipated date of transfer of ownership. Before a building permit is issued. Applies: Building permit projects that add plumbing fixtures or remodel, alter or enlarge more than 25% of the building area. § 8.20.460 · code text For any project requiring a building permit where plumbing fixtures are added to the property, and/or more than twenty-five percent of the building area is being remodeled, altered or enlarged, the project applicant or property owner shall inspect all sanitary sewer laterals on the property for defects and satisfy the requirements in this section before a building permit is issued.
Owner's responsibility	The owner is responsible for the test and completes all needed repair or replacement, approved by the city. Applies: Point-of-sale test before title transfer; at city discretion since the consent decree ended November 14, 2016, unless extended. § 8.20.450 · code text A property's sanitary sewer lateral(s) shall be tested for inflow and infiltration and all necessary repairs or replacement work shall be completed by the owner and approved by the city prior to transfer of title The owner must have a licensed plumber or sewer contractor video-inspect the lateral and give the video to the city. Applies: Building permit projects that add plumbing fixtures or remodel more than 25% of the building area. § 8.20.460 · code text Sanitary sewer laterals are to be inspected by property owners, and their condition evaluated by the city, according to the process set forth below.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Millbrae's code: The lateral must be tested, and any city-approved repair or replacement done, before title transfers. (Property with buildings over 20 years old at transfer; at city discretion since the consent decree ended November 14, 2016, unless extended.) (§ 8.20.450); No new test is needed for 5 years after a passed test. (Point-of-sale lateral test; testing is at city discretion since the consent decree ended November 14, 2016, unless extended.) (§ 8.20.450).

Sewer lateral inspection in Millbrae

What Millbrae's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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