Sewer lateral inspection in Placerville: the local rules

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

What Placerville's code says

Placerville code What Placerville's code adds
How long a certificate lasts	A certificate of lateral compliance is valid for no more than 20 years. § 7-17-7 · code text A COLC shall be valid for a period not to exceed twenty (20) years and shall be valid only for the PSL at the address specified in the COLC. Valid for no more than 20 years from issue; renew every 20 years. Applies: The private sewer lateral was fully replaced. § 7-17-9 · code text Where the PSL is totally replaced, the COLC shall be valid for a period not to exceed twenty (20) years from the date of issuance and is required to be renewed every twenty years. Valid for a period the Building Official sets under the California Plumbing Code. Applies: The city approves a partly replaced or repaired lateral. § 7-17-9 · code text Where the City approves a partial replacement or repaired PSL, the COLC shall be valid for a period to be determined by the Building Official in accordance with the California Plumbing Code.
Fee or permit	The owner gets any needed permits and brings the lateral up to the California Plumbing Code at own cost. Applies: The lateral fails compliance when a certificate of lateral compliance is required. § 7-17-7 · code text If the PSLs are not in compliance, for one or more of the reasons described in Section 7-17-6, the Property Owner shall obtain any required permits and perform all work needed to bring the PSLs into compliance with the California Plumbing Code. An encroachment permit from the City Engineer; a licensed contractor must do the work. Applies: Lateral repair that needs work in the public right-of-way. § 7-17-8 · code text In the instance where encroachment in the public right-of-way is needed for the repair of a PSL, an encroachment permit must first be obtained from the City Engineer and the work shall be performed by a licensed contractor.
When an inspection is required	A certificate of lateral compliance is required before a sale closes. Applies: Parcels with a structure that has no valid certificate. § 7-17-6 · code text Before completing a title transfer through sale associated with a parcel containing any structure not already having a valid COLC. A Verification Inspection is required. Applies: When property with one or more structures is subdivided. § 7-17-6 · code text Whenever property containing one or more structures is subdivided, the PSLs serving the property shall have a Verification Inspection. A Verification Inspection is required. Applies: Property on the city sewer altered to add 2 or more new plumbing fixtures that drain to the sewer. § 7-17-6 · code text Whenever property that is served by the City’s sewer system is altered to include the addition of two or more new plumbing fixtures that discharge into a sanitary sewer system, the PSL(s) to the property shall have a Verification Inspection performed. A Verification Inspection is required. Applies: Building work costing at least 25% of the structure's market value before the work. § 7-17-6 · code text Whenever an application is submitted for the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, use and occupancy, or maintenance, of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds twenty five percent (25%) of the market value of the structure before the start of construction of the improvement. An inspection is required. Applies: Repair or replacement of part of the building sewer, common building sewer or private lateral. § 7-17-6 · code text Upon the repair or replacement of a portion of the Building Sewer, Common Building Sewer, or Private Sewer Lateral. Cleaning, testing, repair or replacement of the lateral is required. Applies: The Building Official finds a violation that affects public health, safety and welfare. § 7-17-6 · code text Upon a determination of a violation by the Building Official, the cleaning, testing, repair, or replacement of the PSL is required for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare.
Owner's responsibility	The owner must repair or replace the whole lateral, from the structure to the main. Applies: Residential structures whose lateral does not meet code standards. § 7-17-7 · code text For all single and multi-family dwellings, and other residential structures, if it is determined that the PSL does not meet the standards as set forth in the California Plumbing Code, all applicable provisions of the Municipal Code, including this chapter, the Property Owner shall repair or replace the PSL in its entirety from the structure to the main in accordance with those same standards. All properties served by a shared lateral are jointly responsible for repair, replacement, fees, costs and fines. Applies: Part of a shared lateral lies on property not served by it. § 7-17-6 · code text To the extent that a portion of a common sewer lateral is on property that is not being directly served by the common sewer lateral, all benefited private properties on the common sewer lateral shall be jointly and severally responsible for repair, replacement, and associated fees, costs, and fines.

Who this affects

BuyersSellersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

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

Placerville's code: A certificate of lateral compliance is required before a sale closes. (Parcels with a structure that has no valid certificate.) (§ 7-17-6); A certificate of lateral compliance is valid for no more than 20 years. (§ 7-17-7).

Sewer lateral inspection in Placerville

What Placerville's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Placerville property

More on buying & selling in Placerville